The Mourning Dove is a year around resident in our area. In neighboring Franklin County where huge flocks exist, dove hunting is quite popular. In our county few hunters bother the doves.
I have heard hunters mention that they feel they are having a good day if they can shoot their limit of twelve birds with two boxes of shells (50 shots). Considering the dove’s small size and their ability to reach speeds of 55mph while doing twist and turns they are quite a challenging target for the wing shooter.
I tried dove hunting some in my youth and on a few occasions succeeded in bagging my limit. Mom would roll the breast in flour and bake them on a cookie sheet, serving the tasty little morsels up for dinner. Needless to say a dozen little breast didn’t go far with our family of hungry farmers.
Today I’m well satisfied to shoot them with my Canon and allow them to fly on.
Shooting critters with a camera is so much more fun than shooting with a gun,
ReplyDeleteSalty I have enjoyed dove season over the years but I like to shoot with my camera too. I love listening to them "whoo-whoo". Danny cooks them..frys & smothers in gravy, sometimes makes dove & rice. He's a good cook.
ReplyDeleteI don't think people are hunting doves here where I live as my feeders and the ground under them are covered with mourning dove color. They are really nice birds and always welcome here as they are a big source of food for the hawks.
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice shot. I like it.
I'm glad you let them fly on. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've never eaten dove before. I like to hear them cooing also. It's soothing. We have tons of them in the yard right now. Mark and I caught them pecking at the pecans.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with Meggie.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo Salty, Hope you and your family have a happy holliday.
come and see the 2 pathways of life.
Now that is a co-incidence, just posted my blog and came to catch up here and you have a pic and story about the same bird I found today!!! Poor guy, it is injured so I dont know if it will survive, not much that can be done though, I always feel bad to see something in distress. I did take a bunch of pics of it though and it was still there when it got dark.
ReplyDeleteLori
I love to hear these birds' sad song when I go for a walk. They are lovely gentle beings.
ReplyDeleteYour post brought to mind an uncle who used to trap animals to make some spending money when he was a kid. How he loved and respected those animals.