I have a dove lease question. I am on a lease with 164 guys (I think) hunting 3300 acres that cover 12 fields. It might be more fields but I think its 12.

We receive an email saying the following fields are closed on these days "to keep birds around"
fields A,B,C - 3 days in Sept
fields D,E,F - 3 days in Sept
fields G,H,I - 3 days in Sept

I wont speak for the other hunters but I paid to hunt the convenient and best fields when my schedule allows. I wasn't told that certain fields are closed on certain days and paying to get on this lease.

Is it normal for fields to be closed during certain days of the season without some upfront knowledge before paying? If it is normal, is it abnormal to be told a day before the season starts?

This is not a rant but more of a wth situation.

I have been on several dove leases that total thousands of acres. I have never heard of something like this. Usually what happens is the hunters figure out where the hot fields are, and hunt them. There is usually many fields that end up not being hunted much at all. At a minimum, they should have informed all lease members of this policy, before taking any money.

I know the lease you are on and I am on the same one. I have been on it for several years now. My only dealings with the individual that puts it together has been through this lease. I can tell you that from my experience with him he is a stand up guy. He has always closed/rotated a few fields, especially the first few weeks of season since most are local birds and he tries his best to keep all fields productive as possible

I have been to his field showings in the past (did not make any of them this year) and I have heard him tell everyone there that he does close/rotate fields. I certainly can not comment on your specific situation, but I am sorry you did not realize it up front.

I can assure you these are not sub leased out to any other hunters or day hunt activity.

In my past experience hunting the various fields, I have never found it an issue or problem with the amount of available fields/acreage if a few of them are off limits for a couple of days

Hope that helps/makes you feel better about it.

Good to hear. Thank you sir.

Managing fields with 165 guns is a chore. If your fortunate to get a good hunt opening day, consider yourself lucky

You may get some good hunts later when 2/3 of guys don't show up again after first few weekends. Typically the dove regardless of food will be so shot up they will fly above with oxygen masks, if u are lucky, or totally avoid the fields all together. We won't hunt a field more than 1x week- sometimes 2x if good front pushed fresh birds in.