For such a small bird, mourning doves are big on controversy in states where hunters continue to seek an open dove hunting season. Doves are an even bigger hit with hunters in the 38 states where dove hunting seasons are currently open. And if controversy and popularity were not enough reasons to take note of doves, the arrival of dove season signals the start of the fall hunting seasons in many states. Now that's the reason so many hunters' ears go on full alert when they hear the mention of doves.

Ironically, most of the states without dove hunting seasons have plenty of the birds. The ill-informed think that doves, a symbol of peace, shouldn't be hunted. Those in the know, however, consider doves to be some of the best table fare to fall from the sky.

Downing a limit of doves often means gathering around corn, sunflower and other seed and grain fields with friends and family. This gathering rivals a rural church's annual homecoming in some areas and the feast and fellowship can be just as rewarding. In North Carolina, for example, the opening day of the season is normally the Saturday before Labor Day and the season opens at high noon.

Many hunts begin with a large cookout or barbeque and end with the hunt. You'll see generations of friends and family gathered around the picnic tables and fields. This is also one of the best places to start new and young hunters, and I believe this is the reason antis are so opposed to dove hunting.

In almost every dove field where you see young hunters anxiously awaiting the arrival of birds, you'll almost always see one of the kids dancing around with overflowing excitement. Of course, doves also excite adult hunters!

Shoulder A Soft Shooter

While most hunters carry a 12-gauge, dove fields are a good place to shoulder the 20-, 28- and 16-gauge shotguns. Doves are not hard to down, and shot sizes No. 7-1/2s or 8s work well. Anything larger than a No. 6 pellet will be overkill. You want the maximum number of pellets covering the greatest area downrange to make contact with small doves. In addition to different guages, this is a hunt where side-by-sides and over/under shotguns will shine. You will also see pump action and semi-auto versions cradled by dove hunting enthusiasts, but the balance and feel of a side by side or over and under is hard to beat. You be the judge and select a shotgun that's easy to shoulder and fire multiple times, since dove limits tend to run a dozen or 15 birds per day. It takes the average hunter four boxes of shotshells to gather a limit and that can equal 100 shells and many pounding shots.

Shotgunning Strategies

Most hunters head afield and hunker down by a shade tree, fencerow or standing corn stalks and wait for doves to fly within range. At the top of my favorite hunting places is near a dead tree with no leaves and plenty of limbs. Doves seem drawn to these ghost trees if they are located near food sources and along travel routes. And, when looking for a dove hunting hotspot, don't overlook watering holes, sandy areas and gravel yards since these areas also seem to be major dove magnets.

Hunters can attract more doves by placing decoys on the ground, or in nearby tree limbs, when establishing a hunting area. Visit www.cabelas.com and look for the Carry-Lite dove decoys.

Many hunters in the dove field sit on a folding stool, webbed lawn chair or an overturned 5-gallon bucket. The more comfortable you are, the more fun you'll have, so choose your seat wisely. Sometimes, I like to use small ground blinds or camouflaged screens to hide any shiny gun metal from the keen eyes of leery doves. Avoid moving when a dove approaches your position and it will often fly much closer to you. Dove hunts are the place where cotton clothing, or garments such as Mossy Oak's new lightweight hunting suits, can keep you comfortable and hunting longer. Dove hunting is also the place to showcase a retrieving dog. If you take Rover along, be sure to take ample water since dove hunts can become very warm affairs. If you're hunting without man's best friend, a large metal washer or bolt with a piece of orange ribbon attached can be tossed where a dove falls to help with recovery. Before you leave the field, pick up any shotshell hulls and refuse and place it in the appropriate trash receptacle.

A last note: Avoid hunting under power and telephone lines, and near homes, since shots fired in the heat of the action could down lines or interrupt neighborhood power. Never, under any circumstance, consider shooting doves off of power lines. Aside from being unethical, unsporting, and illegal, it is also unsafe and is a horrible image for hunters.

Look, In the Sky

When you scan the sky for doves, forget slow moving airplanes and think fighter jets. Doves can zip along pretty fast, and if someone else shoots at them, doves turn on the rocket burner and hit Mach speed. They can also twist and dip, and will quickly drop to the ground and behind cover or will explode upward to gain altitude and avoid hunters.

Most hunters around a dove field will work to alert other hunters about approaching birds and the buddy system seems to provide the best results. This subtle in-the-field communication helps all hunters determine safe zones of fire and keeps everyone alert about safety. Of course, this can also produce good natured ribbing if you miss too many birds. On the other hand, if your shooting is on fire, having two hunters from two viewpoints to help find lost birds is a great boon to bird recovery.

Dove hunting is also popular with kids and women because they can shoot often, meet lots of other hunters and learn about safe firearm handling practices. Dove hunting is an interactive situation, and a dove field with many birds flying overhead will provide lots of stimulus for any age hunter. I frequently see fathers with young kids around dove fields. Small kids who are too young to shoot like to fetch doves and participate in the hunt when permitted. And if you watch the kids long enough, you'll possibly spot one doing the dove dance.

Dove Population Pointers

Where you see one dove, there are surely more. Driving the back roads in farm country will reveal where the birds are, if you look at utility lines. Doves are prolific breeders and they can lay two eggs up to six times per year. That explains why the US Fish and Wildlife Service estimates America's dove population at more than 475 million birds. Doves are also fast flyers-reaching speeds up to 55 mph-and this helps keep them alive for up to ten years in the wild.

Dove hunting seasons are currently permitted in 38 states. Each state must follow federal guidelines that determine season dates and limits. Many of the season dates are not set until August of each year, so check each state's details by visiting www.cabelas.com and clicking on state information. Some states, like many in the Southeast, have two or three dove hunting seasons open each fall and winter. Most seasons open near Labor Day, while others don't open until Thanksgiving or near the end of the year. Federal regulations determine the number of dove hunting days that a state can have open per year. Take note that doves are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and semi-auto shotguns must have plugs installed to limit the shell capacity to no more than three shotshells.

Regardless of how and when you hunt these gray blurs, one thing is for sure, fun is sure to accompany the birds.