SmallCaliberCentral

We are over-run by these pests here in N Colorado. The collareds (eurasian) bastages drive out the mourning doves that I love. So......I set up a bait station at exactly 22 yards at the base of a small pine (good roosting branches) and have undertaken the task of population reduction, one collared dove at a time.
I'm using a 22 cal PCP air rifle that shoots peppercorns off toothpicks at 17 yards. Game is to do head shots only. 9 so far this spring. My biggest problem is the back yard neighbor who thinks on another wavelength. A very short wavelength. I already had to convince her that the dead dove in her yard actually flew into her window, as they do, and broke it's neck. She immediately put up daisy stick-ups on her window to stop the carnage. (If is saves only one, it must be worth it). Obviously, my head shot was a bit off on that one.
Wife thinks I'm nuts, but nothing new there. I got no sage rats.

Winged rats will work!

Don't you need an .88 magnum to shoot bastages?

They are a pretty bird, but they are moving in. More and more in my area every year.. So far we can hunt them, in Dove season, and no limit on them, as Fish and Wildlife(HSUS) Department & Commission, have not put them in the regulation book, yet. Bill K

By the way they taste very good in a nice sauce, with some dumplings.

Marinate in terriaki/pineapple wrap in bacon and BBQ

Here in Idaho they're considered an invasive species. The F & G wants them gone. You cant shoot them any way, any time, no limit. I think they're her to stay though, seeing more and more of them.

They are an invasive species. Non-native. Texas says shoot em up.

Wyoming G&F told me the same. Take em out whenever and however. I've heard they are good fare and have a darker breast much like pigeon.

they taste like a mourning dove

No season and no limit here in AZ. The hard part for me is identifying them on the fly...

Just shoot at the big light gray doves instead of the small dark gray doves. After you've shot them a few times, it becomes pretty easy to pick them out. I love the little buggers, they offer year round wing shooting in Utah. This was done in a bout 30 minutes with the little 28ga over a corn silo.




BTW, love the forum.

Here in Kansas I don't see many collared doves. My preferred location to shoot doves is NW Kansas. I've had many barrel heating experiences with mourning doves. Where I do see a few of them is always around towns, but rarely outside of towns. Is that a natural habit for them? I'm eager to shoot a few, but don't want them to push mourning doves out. They are my favorite wing target.

Ditto on seeing them more around towns than out in good shooting locations. Yet to be able to whack a few but in time luck will turn in my favor for this I'm sure.

Same with Wa, Shoot 'em all.

Snow melted, seed went out. First pair of collards showed up and one is now single again.