Dove Hunting
Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2025 8:56 pm
With the recent start of the 2025 Dove Season, I was reminded of a few of the many times I had hunted doves and “other” critters
The characters in this adventure included Lou Carter and me. Others were Terry the dentist, Paul the medical doctor, Frank drove a box truck, Rusty was a co worker, Alan was a welder, Randy worked at the refinery, Jake was a farmer, Dean was a contractor and Dick was an HR manager.
The common denominators were we all shot competitively in local trap leagues, and we all loved to hunt
This had become an annual event with “General” Carter doing most of the pre season scouting and determining where we were going to hunt.
This year we would be on a commercial potato farm property near Waterford, Pa. The family owned operation was always hunter friendly as long as you respected their properties and their produce. Typically the thousands of acres of potatoes would be harvested during the week prior to opening day. This exposed the soil dwelling bugs that the doves feasted on.
Because of these conditions there were flocks of hundreds and hundreds of birds. Maybe not the famed shooting opportunities of South and Central America, but pretty good for where we were.
Now, if you hunted with Lou, you had to be ready early. Hours early for this hunt. Legal shooting time started at noon on the first day. Dick and I were riding with Lou and we were on site before 9:00.
The chosen field was just under 500 acres in size. It had a power line running smack through the middle of it. Anyone familiar with agricultural practices is aware that power line poles have multiple guy wires attached to anchor them. This creates a small “grass island” around the base of the poles that makes ideal cover for the hunter.
Since we had arrived as early as we did, we had the opportunity to select and stake out our hidey holes. Each of us took our bucket or folding stool and cooler if we brought one to our spot.
Frank and Rusty set up along a woods line. I got a pole approximately 200 yards into the field with Lou taking the next one and Terry the one on the other side of Lou. The remainder of the group chose random spots throughout the area.
We reconvened at the vehicles to wait, passing the time rehashing previous hunts and recent shoots that we had participated in.
Around 11:30 we resumed our positions in the field. As the minutes ticked by sporadic shots could be heard in the distance as some impatient individuals elected to start early………..not me baby, Game Wardens take their job seriously!
At 11:55, we heard Terry (the dentist) scream. As we all looked toward his hideout we saw him run through the tall grass then collapse on the ground. Those of us nearest to him hurried over, calling for Paul (the medical Dr.) to hasten to us.
Terry was conscious and told us that he had decided to relive his bladder prior to beginning shooting. Doing so he had peed on a yellow jacket nest. This really, really pissed them off. Figuratively and literally. It appeared that he had well over 20 stings on him, some in spots a man should never be stung
Paul took a look at him, declared that he sure wasn’t allergic or he’d have gone into shock. Paul then walked back to his stand as Terry retreated to the vehicles to self care, rest and regroup for a while before rejoining us in a different location
By now, shooting time had well passed. Doves were flying, performing the arial acrobatics that only they can do. We engaged them and the feathers flew.
These were the best of times. Great friends, Great fun. Great memories.
See you next time wherever it is. Travel Safe. Dan
The characters in this adventure included Lou Carter and me. Others were Terry the dentist, Paul the medical doctor, Frank drove a box truck, Rusty was a co worker, Alan was a welder, Randy worked at the refinery, Jake was a farmer, Dean was a contractor and Dick was an HR manager.
The common denominators were we all shot competitively in local trap leagues, and we all loved to hunt
This had become an annual event with “General” Carter doing most of the pre season scouting and determining where we were going to hunt.
This year we would be on a commercial potato farm property near Waterford, Pa. The family owned operation was always hunter friendly as long as you respected their properties and their produce. Typically the thousands of acres of potatoes would be harvested during the week prior to opening day. This exposed the soil dwelling bugs that the doves feasted on.
Because of these conditions there were flocks of hundreds and hundreds of birds. Maybe not the famed shooting opportunities of South and Central America, but pretty good for where we were.
Now, if you hunted with Lou, you had to be ready early. Hours early for this hunt. Legal shooting time started at noon on the first day. Dick and I were riding with Lou and we were on site before 9:00.
The chosen field was just under 500 acres in size. It had a power line running smack through the middle of it. Anyone familiar with agricultural practices is aware that power line poles have multiple guy wires attached to anchor them. This creates a small “grass island” around the base of the poles that makes ideal cover for the hunter.
Since we had arrived as early as we did, we had the opportunity to select and stake out our hidey holes. Each of us took our bucket or folding stool and cooler if we brought one to our spot.
Frank and Rusty set up along a woods line. I got a pole approximately 200 yards into the field with Lou taking the next one and Terry the one on the other side of Lou. The remainder of the group chose random spots throughout the area.
We reconvened at the vehicles to wait, passing the time rehashing previous hunts and recent shoots that we had participated in.
Around 11:30 we resumed our positions in the field. As the minutes ticked by sporadic shots could be heard in the distance as some impatient individuals elected to start early………..not me baby, Game Wardens take their job seriously!
At 11:55, we heard Terry (the dentist) scream. As we all looked toward his hideout we saw him run through the tall grass then collapse on the ground. Those of us nearest to him hurried over, calling for Paul (the medical Dr.) to hasten to us.
Terry was conscious and told us that he had decided to relive his bladder prior to beginning shooting. Doing so he had peed on a yellow jacket nest. This really, really pissed them off. Figuratively and literally. It appeared that he had well over 20 stings on him, some in spots a man should never be stung
Paul took a look at him, declared that he sure wasn’t allergic or he’d have gone into shock. Paul then walked back to his stand as Terry retreated to the vehicles to self care, rest and regroup for a while before rejoining us in a different location
By now, shooting time had well passed. Doves were flying, performing the arial acrobatics that only they can do. We engaged them and the feathers flew.
These were the best of times. Great friends, Great fun. Great memories.
See you next time wherever it is. Travel Safe. Dan