September 2nd marked the opening day of dove season. Dove hunting is a venerable, family-friendly Southern tradition, and every year I host a dove hunt where family and friends join to kick off the season together. This year’s dove shoot was extremely successful with a special visit from Secretary of Agriculture and previous Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, who came all the way from Washington to show his support.

Dove season is the perfect kickoff to the Fall hunting season. Many people are introduced to wildlife hunting through dove hunting as it is know as one of the simplest types of wingshooting. As seed-eaters, the feeding times of doves are highly predictable and make them an easy bird to track. Watering sites, gravel sites, and fields during midday are the best place to scout and track these birds. Practicing your shotgun skills and gun mount, choosing concealing clothing, placing dove decoys, watching dove flight patterns, monitoring weather conditions, upgrading and updating your shells, choosing the right gun and hunting location, and choosing your shots carefully are just a few things to keep in mind before venturing out on your hunt. Remember to set your stool as close as possible, preferably within 30 yards of the birds. For more tips, visit the Sportsman Channel website.

I look forward to my annual dove shoot every year, and we had a great turnout for 2017. Thank you to everyone who came out to show their support and have some fun. I hope you and your families have a safe and successful season!

Photo Credit: Carly Harrell Harvey