Dove Hunting Shot Size and Choke Selection
Dove hunting has always been, and likely always will be, one of the most cherished hunting traditions that offers hunters a highly sought-after blend of excitement, challenge, and camaraderie. Success in dove hunting, like in any other hunting sport, hinges on a solid understanding of the basics and making informed choices about gear and tactics. A crucial aspect of a successful dove hunt is selecting the right shot size and choke for your shotgun. Here, in this “The Perfect Dove Shot” blog post, we will provide a comprehensive look at dove hunting, emphasizing and diving into the importance behind these choices and offering practical advice for dove hunters at all skill levels.
Table of contents
- Dove Hunting Shot Size and Choke Selection
- Understanding the Basics of Dove Hunting
- Types of Doves Commonly Hunted
- Shot Size Selection for Dove Hunting
- Popular Shot Sizes for Dove Hunting
- How to Choose the Right Shot Size
- Choke Selection for Dove Hunting
- Combining Shot Size and Choke for Optimal Performance
- Testing and Tweaking Your Setup
- Additional Tips for Successful Dove Hunting
- The Perfect Dove Shot Wrap Up
Understanding the Basics of Dove Hunting
Dove Hunting Seasons and Regulations
Dove hunting seasons worldwide vary by region and are regulated locally and nationally to ensure a sustainable population and lasting hunting opportunities. Typically, dove season begins in early September and may include several sessions throughout the fall and winter.
With that being said, some locations have more limited seasons, such as certain states in the United States. Some other locations worldwide have much longer seasons, with dove hunting in Argentina being available year-round.
Another essential aspect of dove hunting is that hunters must familiarize themselves with local and regional regulations, which dictate season dates, bag limits, and legal hunting hours. Ethical hunting practices are paramount. Always ensure you have the appropriate licenses and follow all legal requirements to ensure an ethical hunt and keep yourself out of trouble.
Types of Doves Commonly Hunted
In the world of dove hunting, you can hunt a wide variety of species. Some of the most popular species are as follows:
Mourning Doves
By far the most common, mourning doves are known for their fast and erratic flight patterns.
White-winged Doves
Much larger and primarily found in the southern United States, white-winged doves are known for their distinctive white wing patches, as their name suggests.
Eurasian Collared-Doves
Eurasian Collared Doves are an invasive species popular among dove hunters around the world. They are recognizable by the black collar on the back of their necks.
Understanding and further researching the behavior and habitats of these doves and the dove you plan on hunting, in particular, can help you plan strategies and improve your chances of success.
Shot Size Selection for Dove Hunting
Regarding wing shooting, shot size significantly impacts several aspects of your shot, but primarily your accuracy. Most people do own a shotgun, as it is one of the basic firearms to own, but not everyone is privy to the different shot sizes needed to hunt dove. The most commonly used shot sizes for dove hunting are 7.5, 8, and 9. While you can go bigger, and some hunters do, most dove hunters will use one of the following three shots. Each has its pros and cons, as does every hunting ammunition.
Popular Shot Sizes for Dove Hunting
Below are some general overviews of these three different options for dove load:
#7.5 Shot
7.45 offers a solid balance of pellet count and energy, making it effective for most medium-range hunts.
#8 Shot
Slightly smaller pellets than 7.5 and 8 shots provide a higher count and denser patterns. Due to its smaller shot and tighter pattern, eight shot is ideal for close to medium ranges.
#9 Shot
The smallest of the three shot sizes we’ve covered here, 9-shot has the highest pellet count and is suitable for short-range shooting. While it may lack stopping power at longer distances, it is a great option if you plan on being more up close and personal with your target.
How to Choose the Right Shot Size
Choosing the right shot size depends on several factors, including hunting conditions, distance, and personal preference.
Here are some tips:
Hunting Conditions
Smaller shot sizes (8 or 9) in dense cover can provide better coverage, while larger shot sizes (7.5) may be preferable in more open environments like fields.
Hunting Distance
A higher pellet count (size 8 or 9) ensures better coverage for closer shots. For longer shots, a 7.5 is likely a better option due to its better energy retention.
Personal Preference
Experience plays a big role here. Experimenting with different sizes during practice and on quick hunts can help determine what shot size works best for you.
Choke Selection for Dove Hunting
Understanding Chokes and Their Functions
A shotgun choke is a constriction at the muzzle end of the barrel that controls the spread of the shot.
Chokes range from Cylinder (no constriction at all) to Full (maximum constriction). Below are some of the more popular options for dove hunting:
Cylinder
No constriction offers a wide spread.
Improved Cylinder
There is some slight constriction and a slightly tighter spread, but it is still quite wide.
Modified
More moderate constriction, good balanced spread.
Full
Maximum constriction, tightest spread.
Each choke affects shot patterns differently, impacting how pellets spread over distance and how accurate and wide of a shot you can take.
Best Choke Options for Dove Hunting
Now, when discussing dove hunting, Improved Cylinder, and Modified chokes are typically the chokes that are recommended by professional hunters:
Improved Cylinder
It is ideal for short to medium-range shooting, offering a wider pattern that is more forgiving when dealing with fast-moving targets like doves.
Modified
More suited for medium to longer ranges, a Modified choke provides a tighter pattern that increases effectiveness for longer-range shooting distances.
Adjusting Chokes Based on Hunting Conditions
Most professional hunters learn to customize their choke selection based on weather, terrain, and dove behavior from the start.
For instance, a tighter choke (Modified or Full) can help maintain pattern density and accuracy in high wind conditions. Conversely, in dense vegetation, a wider choke (Improved Cylinder or Cylinder) may be more effective and provide for a better shooting experience.
Experimenting with different chokes in practice sessions is usually the best way to narrow down your options from the start. Also, it allows you to understand how each performs under varying conditions, enabling you to make informed adjustments in the field.
Combining Shot Size and Choke for Optimal Performance
Matching Shot Size with Choke Selection
Pairing the right shot size with the appropriate choke is as important as the individual considerations for choke and shot size. The two work together, and finding a balance is key to hitting your bag limit on your next hunt.
Here are some effective combinations:
Improved Cylinder with #8 Shot
This combo is excellent for more early-season hunting when doves are closer and fly in more abundant numbers.
Modified with #7.5 Shot
A Modified 7.5 is effective for longer shots, preferably later in the season when doves are warier and more spread out.
Full with #7.5 Shot
Suitable for the longest shots in open fields, this last setup ensures tight patterns and sufficient energy and is likely a good option for almost any time of year.
Testing and Tweaking Your Setup
Testing your shotgun setup is crucial for fine-tuning its performance and ensuring you are ready to go when the day arrives that you are scheduled to head out on a dove hunt.
Pattern testing involves shooting at a target to see how pellets spread at various distances and from various angles. This process helps identify the most practical combination of shot size and choke for the hunting conditions specific to your next dive excursion.
Here are some steps to conduct pattern testing:
- Set Up Your Targets: Place large paper targets at varying distances (20, 30, and 40 yards) to simulate various hunting scenarios. You can add a few extra closer and further away if you want.
- Mark and Measure: After each shot, mark the pattern’s center and count the number of pellets within a 30-inch circle. This helps determine the density and uniformity of the spread at each particular distance.
- Compare Patterns: It’s important to test different shot sizes and chokes to see which combination provides the best coverage and consistency. This might involve setting up several sets of targets and keeping track of shot and choke combinations, but it is the best way to get a definitive answer. Once you’re finished, take note of which setups produce the most effective patterns for each typical hunting distance, so in the future, you will have a range of combinations to choose from depending on the type of hunt you are going on.
- Adjust Accordingly: As we just mentioned, based on your findings, you can now adjust your shot size and choke combinations to optimize performance, whether you’re shooting close range in the crush or long-range out in the field. This might involve switching chokes or selecting a different shot size to achieve better results, so make sure to bring a couple of options with you to adjust to on your hunt, just in case.
Additional Tips for Successful Dove Hunting
Shooting Techniques for Dove Hunting
Effective and well-developed shooting techniques are the key to hitting fast-moving doves. Below, we’ve covered some of the best strategies to improve your shot:
Lead Shots
While it may seem obvious, you must aim ahead of the bird’s flight path to account for its speed. The amount of lead depends on the distance and speed of the dove, and calculating this only comes with time and practice.
Follow-Through
Maintain your swing after pulling the trigger to ensure the shot pattern follows the bird is another big one. Stopping your swing too soon can cause you to shoot behind the target and miss out on a good dove.
Practice
As mentioned earlier, regularly practicing at a skeet or trap range can certainly help improve your shooting skills and timing. Leveraging simulated targets that mimic doves’ unpredictable flight patterns is one of the best things to do to practice for a dove hunt.
Gear and Accessories for Dove Hunting
Just as any sport or profession requires proper equipment, having the right gear can make or break a dove hunt for someone. Consider the following essentials before spending your hard-earned money on a dove hunt:
Decoys
Use realistic dove decoys to attract birds to your hunting area. Please place them in open fields or near water sources to mimic natural feeding and resting spots. If you are hunting at a lodge or with a PH, they will likely have this aspect of the hunt covered.
Blinds
Portable blinds or camouflage netting can help you stay concealed from the sharp-eyed doves you intend to shoot. While it may seem obvious, make sure to position your blind where you have a clear view of the flight paths and the other hunters. Again, your guide will likely handle this for you if you are hunting out of a lodge.
Hunting Apparel
Wearing camouflage clothing that matches the environment in which you are hunting is a no-brainer. Lightweight, breathable materials are ideal for staying comfortable in warm weather, make sure to check that day’s forecast. Morning hunts can get chilly sometimes!
Shotgun and Ammunition
Ensure your shotgun is reliable, well-prepped, and well-maintained. Stock up on appropriate ammunition in your chosen shot sizes and as we harped on earlier, bring some varying shot size options just in case.
It is not uncommon to switch up the day’s hunt and move to a more open area if there are no doves where you originally planned on hunting, so you want to be equipped for anything.
Safety Considerations in Dove Hunting
Safety should always be a top priority in dove hunting, as it is in any type of hunt. Below we’ve covered a couple of the best practices to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience:
Firearm Safety
Most importantly, treat every firearm as if it’s loaded. Keep the muzzle in a safe direction and your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. There’s a safety for a reason, use it when you aren’t absolutely ready to pull the trigger.
Situational Awareness
Be aware of your surroundings and fellow hunters. Establishing a safe shooting zone and communicating with the others in your hunting party is extremely important, especially if you are in a larger party.
First Aid Preparedness
At least one member of your hunting party should always carry a basic first aid kit and know how to use it. It is important to familiarize yourself with common hunting injuries and their treatments to be prepared to treat them if any issues arise.
The Perfect Dove Shot Wrap Up
Selecting the right shot size and choke is a critical aspect of any dove hunt that can significantly influence your success. A solid grip on the basics of dove hunting, including regulations and species, will set a solid foundation, allowing you to make the most of your next dove hunting trip. Pair that up with some practice, and match shot size with choke selection to ensure optimal performance in the field and an overall better hunt.
Dove hunting is not only about the thrill of the hunt; it’s also about responsible and ethical practices. By refining your techniques, using the right gear, and prioritizing safety, you can enjoy a rewarding and fulfilling dove hunt, whether it’s locally or a long-awaited international hunt. Do yourself a favor and practice, experiment, and find the perfect combination that works for you.
Trust us; you’ll thank us when you return from your hunt with a game bag full of dove.