Dove beginner

[KGsoloman5000]

Going to try my luck at dove hunting for the first time. I plan on using a 20g with steel shot as per regs, just wondering what size shot other dove hunters use? And any 'must know' tips? Already have a Mojo dove spinner on order, been told those work awesome.

[sash]

i saw a dove hunt on angler and hunter and the host had a 410, not sure what the other 2 guys were using but they all had 7.5 shot and he said they should have gone bigger.

can't wait to see your report, i want to try but need to get better at clays first.

[welsh]

If you look at American outdoor writers who are big on doves, you will see a lot of 12 gauges. This is a fast-flying bird that you are often shooting at greater distances and the "small bird, small bore" wisdom is questionable. And these guys are the experts while here in Ontario we are basically all beginners on this bird.

Bob Brister, who was a dove specialist, favoured a 12 ga shooting 1 oz or 1-1/8 oz of 7-1/2 shot -- essentially, trap loads. Full or mod choke for pass shooting, skeet or IC for feeding fields over decoys. Others recommend IC and mod.

I make no claim to dove expertise but just follow Brister's advice with slavish devotion.

Edited to add that those guys were all shooting lead.

[finsfurfeathers]

I would not go smaller than #6 shot. Bought a box of 6's for the opener last year just in case they buzz the blind after the goose hunt. Well the doves didn't show up but pigeons did. Always found them tough to drop with lead but with #6 steel some of them still flew off with what looked like good hits.

[M21]

Had mixed success with the Mojo last year . Better luck being in the right place at the right time. I used 7 and half steel love brass in 20 and 12 . Did better with the 12 as they aren't like the ones that come to your feeder

[Bluebulldog]

20 gauge with #4 steel. Mod choke.

Finding steel for 20 gauge is kind of tough depending on where you are.

[psilokan]

Started last season with #6 steel and knocked about two down. Missed several more, wounded at least one.

Went out on the last day with #4 steel and got 2 for 2. Not sure if my shooting improved or the shot size was better but I'll be doing more experimenting this season.

[Waftrudnir]

what steel - damn migratory rules...
haven't shot a dove in a long time, happy to hear that you can hunt them now in Ontario. for lead (which is somewhat irrelevant here and now) we used to use #6 1 1/8 (#7 target loads should more than sufficient if one decoys them; i.e. less than 30yds).
So, in steel I would take #5. No idea why people would choose a .410, but there are people who hunt with long bows all season...

[TurkeyRookie]

i saw a dove hunt on angler and hunter and the host had a 410, not sure what the other 2 guys were using but they all had 7.5 shot and he said they should have gone bigger.

And Mike couldn't hit the ocean from the wharf with it either.

[The Baron]

I use a 20ga. with #7 steel and it works well (not that I've shot lots of doves yet, but so far I'm happy with the #7's).

I've got a couple mojos. I think they help, but they're hardly magical - we've had plenty of doves ignore them. Find a spot along a field edge where you see doves moving regularly and you should have some luck.

My best tip is that doves are a lot smaller than anything we're used to hunting and so they are a lot closer than you think. And don't hesitate to shoot - they're in and gone in the blink of an eye!