Hunting for mourning doves has been extremely popular in the Hoosier state for many years. It’s easy to see why, too. The doves are fast, maneuverable and very hard to hit. They are also exceptionally wary birds, and they have great eyesight. If you are not wearing camouflage, they will spot you and head the other way! But that just adds to the fun and excitement of the hunt!

One of the keys to a successful dove hunt is to find areas where doves are feeding on a regular basis. Mourning doves love to feed on a variety of seeds and grain, and one of their favorite foods is sunflower seeds. Managers at our Department of Natural Resources (DNR) properties know this, so they make a point of planting sunflower fields to draw the birds in for hunters.

Among the state-owned properties, fish and wildlife areas (FWA) provide many opportunities for dove hunting. FWA staff plant fields of sunflowers and take the necessary steps to keep them weed-free. Keeping the fields as weed-free as possible makes it easier for the doves to feed on the seeds as they fall to the ground, and in the end, it attracts more birds. It makes it easier for hunters to find the birds they hit, too.

State reservoir properties also provide opportunities for dove hunting, as do private properties and farmer’s fields. Doves gather in recently harvested grain fields, especially if water is located nearby. Just be sure to obtain permission before hunting private property and clean up any trash that you find before you leave.

Note that state-owned properties require the use of non-toxic shot when dove hunting, so lead shot is not allowed. Steel shot can be used, along with shot composed of bismuth-tin, bismuth-iron, tungsten-tin and various alloys of bismuth and tungsten. When buying shotshells for dove hunting, most hunters choose a shot size of 7 1/2 or 8. Steel shotshell pellets are lighter than lead, so a slightly larger shot size is in order. Buy size 6 or size 7. Winchester Super-X steel shotshells are a good choice.

Besides your shotgun and the correct ammunition, there are a few other things that you can bring along to make your dove hunt more productive and enjoyable. As mentioned earlier, camouflage-colored clothing is best. Don’t forget a camouflage-colored hat, too. Earplugs or earmuffs for hearing protection is another must. Depending on the weather, dove hunting in fall can be very hot, so be sure to bring some bottled water to battle dehydration. Pack an energy bar or other snacks if desired.

Don’t forget a 5-gallon bucket to sit on. If the action slows, you may want to sit down. Also, if the bushes or weeds that you use as a barrier to shield yourself from the sharp eyes of the doves are only waist-high, you may want to sit on the bucket just to keep most of your body hidden until it’s time to pull the trigger. The bucket can also be used to store the birds you harvest and make it easier to carry them back to the car.

So, get out there and have fun harvesting these great-tasting gamebirds. Bring along a youngster this year and be safe!

If you want to try a different type of hunting this year, you’ll find plenty of suggestions in every issue of MidWest Outdoors. Subscribe on our website.