Hunting doves is not as popular as say, hunting deer. But anytime you can be out in the woods is time well managed. Doves are hunted in 40 states, with Michigan being the only Midwestern state to not have an established dove season. Approximately 41 million doves are harvested annually across the nation. The population of the mourning dove in the continental US is estimated at around 350 million, making it one of the most plentiful birds in North America.
Make sure you know your local regulations, for example – many states require non toxic shot to be used.
Habits: 99.9% of a doves’ diet consists of seeds, and they almost always eat on bare ground (their little legs aren’t very strong). Sunflower seeds are their favorite but they also eat corn, wheat and oats. In addition they also eat the seeds of popular weeds such as foxtail and ragweed.
They seek out water after dawn and right before dusk. Wary little birds, they prefer muddy banks of creeks free of brush and plants and will often drink out of seepage puddles.
They love gravel sites as consuming bits of gravel and rock help their gizzards to grind up the seeds into a digestible format.
Doves can be loafers, if you find a sunflower field, a creek with a wide muddy bank and a gravel pit or sand bar nearby; chances are there are doves are nearby.
Scouting: Doves tend to move most within two hours after dawn and the two hours before dusk. Scouting a just harvested grain field is sure to yield some great results. Using binoculars watch for dove movement. If you only see one, give it some time, if more doves arrive, you’ve just found your dove hunting field. Read more from Carrie Zylka: Huntress.
Another dove article: http://wwocz.net/jason-ontario-introduces-mourning-dove-season/