Had my first contact with them down in the Arch Community of New Mexico Southeast of Portales while pheasant hunting down there. One afternoon - one entire afternoon, my brother and I staked out positions around the yard of a peanut plant and shot until we were were completely out of shells. I think the two of us killed near one hundred. Great fun and also as we discovered later, really good eating - as doves go!! They are in fact larger and I think as one poster said the meat is somewhat lighter. Good sport. However, in reference to something said by another poster, I do not think they are easier to kill than a whitewing or mourning dove. Easier to shoot, yes, because the do continue to "swarm" if you are in an area they favor, but I shot several with 2.74 inch 20 gauge #7.5s and had to shoot them again after they hit the ground and then flew as I was walking out to pick them up!!! And of course, don't anybody EVEN hint that it was just due to my poor shooting and/or eyesight!!!!! Well, maybe. But great fun nonetheless!
