New to dove hunting, and I got shut out this morning. I was hunting an area with a couple of big sunflower fields. Set up real early with the sun at my back. Had a Mojo out, too, about 30 yards away in the field. Trees were at my back. Didn't see many birds, and only had a couple come within range. Seems like a crapshoot to be in the right spot. So much area for them to fly and come in, chances of being in the right spot seem pretty slim. Are you supposed to walk the fields? Seems like they'd avoid a person walking in the fields, especially since it's been hunted the past two weeks. So I sat tight against the tree line, pretty well hidden. Flying patterns seemed pretty random to me, so I can't say that there was any better spot than another, although I'm sure there is. Any tips to bag a few birds?

set up near fence lines, power lines or a prominent point like a tall tree against a fence line.

Dove fly to waypoints like a telephone pole or tree.

Try to set up between water and the feeding fields.

You are doing everything right. The birds are not in those fields right now. Nothing you can do abt it except find birds elsewhere until they come back. Some years you can't find a dove in N. Tex three days after the opener. This year there are plenty of dove all around it seems.

Sounds like you did about everything right. Might want to try and find a dead tree or big dead limb on a tree. Seems like they aim for these spots, using them as perches for observing the field before actually dropping down into it. I assume they are looking for predators. If no dead trees or limbs are handy, look for a low spot on the fence row, or a real tall tree on the fence row. They like to fly through the low spots, and use a particularly tall tree as a landmark. If you have a couple of static dove decoys to accent that Mojo, they really seal the deal when visible to passing dove while on a fence line or treelimb near the Mojo.

Another good tip is to hunt with other people to keep the birds moving and have multiple opportunities. If you have a friend who cant sit still have him set up about 120 yards away and he'll steer them towards you.


Or put Hopedale in the filed and they'll fly right over his head while he reads text messages.

Other than being where there are a lot of birds, the most important thing is to sit perfectly still untill you are ready to fire. Any movement will flare the bird. Dove are amazing when they see you, they will fly just outside your range, they are a real tease.

being more beer and a confortable chair,,,you cna kill five deer a year but you dont do it all one weekend da ya????cliff

I just started Dove hunting as well... Corners of fields, tallest tree, all good advice- just a matter of time in the woods i guess

Scooter