Early birds find success in dove hunting season

Sometimes it's a good thing to be wrong.

A couple of weeks ago I expressed concern that dove season might get off to a slow start because there seemed to be few birds migrating into Southern Nevada. But given the early-season results, I probably shouldn't look for a job as a professional prognosticator.

Dan Simmons, an outdoor writer in Pahrump, told me that he and a few friends experienced excellent hunting conditions on opening day. They focused their efforts on birds flying near the Ash Meadows Wildlife Refuge.

What I found interesting is the bulk of their shooting came later in the morning than one might usually expect. Through the years I generally have found doves to be most active at first light and less so as the morning progresses. Simmons told me their best shooting came after 9 a.m.

A game warden friend said several opening-day limits were checked at the Overton Wildlife Management Area, located at the lower end of Moapa Valley. Another told me shooting was good in the area south of Boulder City. I also spoke with hunters who said the agricultural areas in Lincoln County provided some good shooting, as did the Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge.

Some of this success might be due to the high number of resident birds found in these areas, or perhaps hunters are benefiting from the presence of some birds on the front end of the fall migration. Whatever the reason, success is a good thing.

Don't fret if your schedule has prevented you from getting time in the field, because dove season runs through September. While most of us focus our hunting efforts on opening day and the first weekend, the bulk of the migrating birds often don't pass through Southern Nevada until midseason or later. Two seasons ago, the best hunting in Pahranagat Valley took place during the season's third week.

Sometimes hunting can be slow for flying birds, but that doesn't mean the birds aren't around. A simple adjustment in tactics sometimes can make all the difference.

One way I have found to improve my success on slow days is to walk them up as I would quail or pheasants. Focus on the area surrounding the food or water source you are hunting, or along the birds' flight path between the two. I often find the birds holed up on the ground in small groups. They tend to jump up farther out than early-season quail, so I'd recommend using a modified choke to give you a little more reach.

Hunter orange isn't required in Nevada, but wearing it isn't a bad idea if you're hunting in a popular location with numerous hunters around.

• ARIZONA SPRING HUNTS -- It might seem early to think about spring hunting seasons, but that's not the case if you want to hunt turkeys, buffalo, black bear or javelina in Arizona. The application deadline for the 2010 spring seasons is Oct. 13. A 2010 hunting license is required to apply. Applications can be submitted at www.azgfd.gov/draw.

• HUNTER SIGHT-IN EVENT -- The Boulder Rifle and Pistol Club in Boulder City will have a free Hunter Sight-In event from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 702-293-1885 or contact the club via e-mail at brpc13@aol.com. Directions can be found on the club's Web site, www.brpc1.org.

Freelance writer Doug Nielsen is a conservation educator for the Nevada Department of Wildlife. His "In the Outdoors" column, published Thursday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NDOW. Any opinions he states in his column are his own. He can be reached at dougnielsen@att.net.