Dove Opener on the Ranch 2020

Dove Season actually opened on Sept 1st but we didn't kick it off here at the Ranch until Saturday.  We had about 8 folks show up for breakfast of biscuits and venison gravy.  The other 4 showed up by 8 am.  We split up into groups of 2 or 3 and picked our spots up and down the lane.

Alex, Will, and Eric took the S end of the pond.  Davey & Jon took the willow tree in the yard by the cement post.  Nick & Zach picked the N end of the yard.  Michael, RePhil, and A-Aron (and good ole Tucker) took near the curve.  Kathy & I headed all the way N to the backstop.  

There was a lot more shooting than there was hitting.  I cleaned and froze only 16 doves.  But we certainly had a great time.

Lunch consisted of several courses of foods:  jalapeno poppers, deer tenderloins, deep-fried pheasant breast (cut into bite-sized chunks), doves wrapped in bacon (last year's haul), and deep-fried deer brats.  Of course those of legal age may have washed that all down with some adult beverages.

With our bellies full, it was nap time.  No one stayed all day to hunt until last light.  That's okay too, as we need to save some doves for next year.  <-- not that this was an issue for us.

The weather has been cool, but not cold enough for the doves to migrate - at least around here anyways.  I think we were killing local birds and there will be more to come as the season progresses.

Brother Sykes was unable to join us for this hunt, but he and I are both looking forward to when he can come up and partake in some humbling dove shooting.


 
Will & Eric at the pond.
Will said, "I liked hunting with Eric the best!"
As you can probably tell.  Just look at his face.

 
Will and Daddy.  Yep, clearly not as excited.
Poor Daddy. 

Will with "his" first dove
 
Will with his second dove and a prized feather

 
The sun coming up on opening day @ the Ranch

 
A-Aron, Michael, RePhil and Tucker

 
Davey, Kathy, and Jon.
Note that Kathy is the only one with a dove here.
Stories be told that she out shot everyone today.

 
Zach, Eric, Alex, and Nick cleaning birds while maintaining social distancing regs.


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