Dove season opens in Georgia on September 5, and needless to say, I’m looking forward to it.
For our group, opening day has become one of those traditions that marks the changing of the seasons. We all meet at the same place, spend a little time catching up over barbecue, and then head out to the field—hoping the birds are flying like it’s Argentina. Gunpowder gets burned. Stories get exaggerated. A healthy amount of trash gets talked. By the end of the afternoon, everyone’s laughing, someone’s claiming they should have limited out, and somebody else is blaming the sun, the wind, or a faulty choke tube.
It’s one of my favorite days of the year.
The beauty of a dove shoot is its simplicity. There aren’t many moving parts. Most of the afternoon is spent sitting on a bucket or dove stool along a fence line, beside a hay bale, or under a lone tree waiting for birds to commit. You’ll go several minutes without seeing anything, then suddenly three birds buzz by at full speed, and all hell breaks loose. It’s organized chaos.
Opening day is also the first time most of us have pointed a shotgun at something that flies since quail season ended months ago. That means there are always a few rusty swings, plenty of misses, and more than a few “I was right on him” comments.
It’s also the unofficial unveiling of everyone’s new gear. The bass fishing months are dangerous for a hunter’s wallet. Somehow a new shell bag appears. Somebody upgraded to a new over-under. Another guy has found the latest shooting glasses, vest, cooler, or gadget that he swears changed his life.
I don’t mind showing off new gear. I probably enjoy it more than I should. But there’s an unwritten rule: if you’re going to show up looking like a catalog cover, you’d better be able to shoot. Otherwise, you’re giving your buddies enough material to last until duck season.
Here’s how I do it.
From top left:
1. Ray-Ban Shooter Sunglasses: Not only is the sun beating down, but it’s good for eye protection. Some of those moon shots have repercussions…
2. Grandad’s Hunting Hat: Show off a bit here. I used to have his old camo Goodyear hat that he wore for years…I wish I could locate it.
3. Cotton Bandanas: Good for as many reasons as you can think of. It’s a neck gaiter, glasses cleaner, sweat catcher, hand wiper, etc.
4. Topo Designs Klettersack Backpack: I love a backpack for hauling all your stuff out to your spot. This backpack is a great option because you can tie your gear to the straps/side straps, etc. Easy in, easy out.
5. Ball and Buck Active+ Field Shirt: Tech action. It’s a million degrees outside, so get ready to sweat. See my ‘extra credit’ note below – put a fresh, cotton t-shirt in the truck to change into for the drive home.
6. Yeti 26 oz. Water Bottle: Hydrate. Fill this one up with ice, and keep pouring water in when needed.
7. Turtlebox Cub Speaker: Because you’ve got to listen to the Dawgs home opener…
8. Whiskey Leatherworks Pheasant Belt: A cool belt for hanging out in the field. Whiskey Leatherworks does it right, and these belts are a welcome addition to the rotation.
9. Duck Camp Drifter Pants: This will be my fifth year wearing these pants to the dove shoot. They work.
10. Tom Beckbe Gun Sleeve: A good cover for your gun while hauling it through the field.
11. Woodley Shell Bucket Bag: I started using this last year vs. a shell case on my belt, and really liked the utility of it. It holds all the shells you need, and cinches up when it’s time to head back to the barn.
12. Rancourt Harrison Boots: Rancourt makes some of the best shoes in the USA, and their Harrison Boots are a GREAT option for the dove shoot. They are plenty functional for the field, and look good in the lodge, too.
13. Grand Trunk Compass 360 Stool: I love these stools – they fold up into an easy carrying pouch, and can rotate 360 degrees. GREAT for the dove shoot, but also for the ball field and the campfire. And the price is JUST RIGHT.
Some stuff that didn’t make the image, but I always bring:
- Sunflower seeds
- Wet Wipes
- Plastic grocery bags for your harvest
- Bug spray and sunscreen
- Clean T-shirt for the drive home…
What did I miss?
