Gents, thought taking my sister out dove hunting would be a nice bonding experience. Have never been dove hunting but can handle a shotgun fine. Is public land up in this area worth my time? Any feedback would be great. Thanks

Gents, thought taking my sister out dove hunting would be a nice bonding experience. Have never been dove hunting but can handle a shotgun fine. Is public land up in this area worth my time? Any feedback would be great. Thanks

Truthfully probably not the "best" way to get someone into hunting. If you're just looking for a place to go then sure it will work, you might find a few birds but don't expect limits. Sure they can be had buy it takes scouting and knowledge and sometimes just pure dang luck.

There won't be much of a crowd on the 2nd weekend and probably 0 crowd on the weekdays.

I agree it is probably not the best, but it is free and that is what it is about. As long as we aren't surrounded by a bunch of cheney's. Any experience on any of the tracts specifically?

Free? There is a $48 permit required. Plus a hunting license.

As far as experience I've hunted a few of em and taken a few birds. The big crowds should be done for. Maybe some of the real close fields that are small might have a few folks still.

There is a lot of free land that doesn't require the $48 permit.

^^^true.....also, with the number of birds Im seeing, I dont think it would be much worse.

I may wait for a cold snap or a front to come through to get dove moving. There's just not much flying on 100 degree days which is nothing new.

Tell me about this 'free' land I can hunt on!

I hunt public for dove every year and I can tell you that you have to get off the beaten path to find dove. If you can do that your chances are good that you will get dove. Where I hunt is about a mile hike through thorn trees and waist high weeds and briers but always have dove. I don’t know if a young lady on her first hunt wants to brave that kind of ordeal. It could sway them not to hunt again.

check your PM's

Yes, but I guess I just assumed he meant the PHL.

Also some of the free spots require a free permit. I was really just advising not to just go out there without checking requirements and regulations

I was referring to phl so you were right. I suppose by the time I pay for the permit, I could give most of that to a guide to put us on some doves. Might be the better option to do a little learning and bonding at same time.

What a wealth of knowledge and opinions on this fine forum. Bump!

It would be well worth the 60$ to pay if your trying to have a good time with someone.


Public land is gonna be slow until we get new birds in.


I hunted last night and saw 4 doves all evening

Yea what is this free land you talk of ?

I've been shooting on the some of the grasslands our fine state has. I know there are some restriction to hunting up there so check the tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild site for full info.

Now that opening day is behind us, I might give some of those areas another try. They require more hiking in and out of but that can be fun in its own right.

Hey- Im with you on this. I will add my history and experience over the last few days. Went with my dad today, 69, we shot at 1 bird but had a great time. I say do it if you havent already.

I have hunted Farmersville (so-so), Corsicana (sparse), and now Hunt County Commerce/Greenville. Nothing was flying in Commerce/Greenville. Literally. I get people dont want to share, but there is enough dirt out there to spread the wealth.

The Public land is great. Get on Google Earth and look around at the different sites; It really makes it easier to scout. I met 2 guys this AM with a Private Dove Lease, they had the same bad luck I had in Commerce. Difference being, I can now drive to a different county and not lose any sleep. Some parcels are better than others. I have been really pleased with all 4 I have been to, even with the low #s.

So Far:
Hunted Farmersville Opening Day- some decent activity
Rockwall, Tate, Opening day evening- It was how I envision Nam. good activity, I got peppered.
Corsicana PM Hunt - A few flying got 1
Commerce AM Hunt - Nothing
Royce City AM Hunt - Nothing

If they start flying someone update. Hoorah for Coleman, but I dont live near Coleman.

Guys- Any updates with the Weather Change and Rain?