What type choke for dove hunting

The concept of shotgun patterns and how they are affected by choke was best described by the late Robert Ruark in his classic book The Old Man and the Boy, written long before interchangeable choke tubes. Spread a little on the threads every time you screw choke tubes into your barrel. The lubricant keeps tubes from seizing up when the barrel gets hot and are easier to remove. For most shooters, a skeet choke is best for early season doves and an improved-cylinder choke is second best.

When stocking up on shotgun shells for dove season, buy shells loaded either with No. These smaller-sized pellets create a dense pattern, which is effective on fast-moving birds. The smaller No. SportsDay Staff.

Get the latest D-FW sports news, analysis and opinion delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up you agree to our privacy policy. Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas. Although not required for small-game hunting in Colorado , blaze-orange can be easily spotted by other hunters — a great safety feature for hunting on public lands.

Wearing blaze orange let's other hunters know exactly where you are at all times. This creates safe shooting-zones and helps prevent shooting accidents. Even then, consider adding a little blaze orange to your outfit.

Maintaining a lead is important when shooting doves. Shooting behind birds is a mistake that many beginner hunters make. Doves are strong fliers, capable of reaching speeds of more than 55 MPH, and they can fly even faster with tailwinds. The photo above illustrates a typical crossing shot and shows you how to lead a dove. How much you lead will depend on how fast the bird is moving and the distance of your shot.

One of the best ways to prepare for dove season is to spend some time on a shooting range. Shooting fast-moving clay targets in pretend hunting scenarios will help you dust off your shotgun and improve your shooting skills before entering the field. Wearing shooting glasses can improve your performance in the field. Colored shooting glasses can help you see and identify targets better. Unlike standard sunglasses which tend to make everything look darker, rose or amber-tinted lenses make your surroundings more vibrant by decreasing harsh shadows.

Colored lenses narrow your pupils, improving your depth perception and making it easier to separate targets from the background. They also protect your eyes from UV rays and stray birdshot. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Things To Do Boating. Stick with a 16 or 20 gauge if you have a young or small-framed hunter you are introducing to the sport.

Most average-sized hunters will be happiest with the 12 gauge. There is no single best choke for dove hunting. In some situations a wide-open skeet bore is good if birds are coming to a water hole or passing 15 to 25 yards from your position.

For a more typical situation of pass-shooting birds at random distances, go with improved, modified, or—in a double—a combination of those two chokes. Blaze orange has its place in hunting, but not dove hunting. These birds see color and will flare when they detect bright-hued clothing that sticks out from its surroundings.

A tan or olive-colored outfit is just as good as camouflage. Dove hunting attire is all about blending in. The first few days of the season are usually most productive for hot-barrel dove shooting.

The birds have not been shot at much and they often fly close, presenting easy shots. Another reason to be in the field during these early days is that lots of other hunters are out. That tends to keep the birds moving from field to field, giving you more shooting opportunities. Good crop fields for doves include cut corn, peanuts, millet, sorghum, milo, and sunflowers. Weed seeds such as thistle and croton are also favored by these birds.

Finding where the birds are eating is the key to finding doves. By scouting, you can find fields with lots of birds that have settled down and have little competition for them. The late season can also be good as birds move through Virginia from northern states.

Gear for a dove hunt should include ear plugs, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat with a brim to keep the sun out of your eyes, snacks, cold drinks or water, a cooler with ice, binoculars to track dove movements, and shooting glasses or polarizing sunglasses.

Decoys are an optional item you can add to the list. This is vital for safety during a dove hunt.