Not-so-good Dove Report

Just returned from a 178 mile trip to DFW and back. Carol is headed back to Las Vegas with the grandson who starts school there next week. This is the 6th straight summer that Jay has spent 4-6 weeks or more with us and we always take him back the last week or two of August.

In my drive down 121 from Bonham to Mckinney, and on down into DFW, I didn't see more than a dozen doves ... anywhere. Same was true on the return trip. Maybe 20 total. In past years we'd usually see 100s or more just in a 10 mile stretch along 121 from Preston through Legacy. Too hot? Too dry? Not sure but it sure doesn't look good for as many miles as we put on.

On the other hand, the doves started showing up in increasing numbers around our hunting property North of here, and here at home, starting about 10 days ago. Maybe because we still have water whereas most nearby tanks are dry.

What time of day was it that you were looking? I bet them dudes were hunkered down under a bush somewhere.

Left the house at 12:10 pm, pulled back into the garage at 3:25.

Just drove around my 42 acre field. Saw 13 doves and they were all in the trees. Also saw 3 Turkey Hens,,not a single poult this year so far..

My goat weed field I'd been eyeing as a possible place to dove hunt got cut for hay about 2 weeks ago. Guys are getting so desperate for something to winter cattle on they will cut anything they can get.......so I guess I am out in the cold again.....

One of my properties in Ricardo is usually loaded with doves every evening. I just went out there to check a water trough and saw 3. This drought and hot weather is going to change a lot of things this season. I have said it before, whoever has water is going to have some good shoots.

We have one of the tanks still holding some water on the lease.

That should work Kindall & best of Luck to ya

Best of luck to you too. We have family and good friends on this lease. So feast or famine we'll still have a good time.

I saw 100s between 121 and 380 on Preston. They are there. These were all around water.

I live near Joe Pool lake in DFW. There were hundreds of dove flying around a shredded field this morning... that being said, some of my family was at the ranch in Young county this weekend and said that there were not many birds at all and we have water. I dont know if the inch and a half of rain they got last week has them temporarily spread out or not. I just hope the situation improves before next Thursday and truth is, EVERYTHING can change between now and then...

We were at our lease yesterday and saw a TON of dove - all around the pond! Water is going to be the key!!!

They are around Austin pretty good. I hit one going to the coast on 183 last weekend..Ive never hit a flying bird in my life..now I hit a dove??? But they are around!

This is driving me nuts! I've been out to one of the places I hunt and see a BUNCH of dove and we have plenty of water out there. I'm just hoping everything remains the same for the next week anda half!

Eased up to a pond Sunday morning about 9 am and it was loaded up pretty good, probably saw 30 sitting in the trees and around the bank. Nothing to get really excited about but it got my hopes up a little. I was there maybe 10 minutes just watching than went about my business with the deer feeders and such....I was north of the Big City.