doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Somewhat OT Eurasian collared doves

As SkeetTx said, they're very common in the Texas Panhandle. Primarily town birds that are given handouts by many townspeople. However, they do feed on nearby fields and provide great shooting. Early last season I found an area they particularly liked and shot well over 100 in less than 30 minutes. Was every bit as fast and furious shooting as the best of Argentina. A few years ago AmarilloMike and I found a real hotspot for them and during September we took well over 1,000 of these bonus birds. No, I don't feel guilty--they're directly competing with the native mourning dove and I think represent a real threat. Having said that they are a beautiful bird. Takes a lot of lead--I usually use #6 shot when hunting them.

Have seen them around small towns in N.W Utah and south central Idaho. As soon as you get away from the towns they are not around.

When I banded raptors along Lake Michigan, I used to "borrow" some of the Eurasian doves from the college biology dept. The accipiters and peregrines were highly attracted to that size decoy.

I am glad this topic came up.

It was Easter before last that I first saw one in my neighborhood. Actually heard it first. Their call sounds like a mourning dove that got a bad hormone prescription. I am pretty in tune to the local bird life, and am convinced they arrived suddenly on the scene. They have since spread throughout the town. I did a bit of research on-line wondering if they were going to compete with native doves or some other species. I did not find any ecological concerns, but cannot imagine that they are completely benign. It sure is tempting to pick one off with an air rifle as it sits on the street lamp across the street, squawking away. (It is not a pleasing coo.) So far, I haven't had the nerve. Not worth the risk of someone taking offense and calling the UN which would send in the 'blue helmets' to pick through my stuff.

Anyway, at least I know it is not just me that has noticed. Again, I am stunned at the suddenness of their appearance. Maybe this dove season....

Lou M

Season for them here in Ca. is the same as "regular" dove season, no bag limit.

Weak,

I've seen a few of these crazy doves but have yet to shoot one. Bound to get into Southern Illinois where I do most of my dove hunting eventually, just a matter of time.

DLH

That'd be an interesting twist Destry: Recently read your article about golden plover shooting in Scotland(?), this time around it'd be a european bird coming to your backyard! Lot less travel!

Wonder what happens when this invasive species gets into those states that ban dove hunting?

About three-four years ago, a game warden in CA near the AZ border told me there was some concern about the Eurasians cross breeding with mourning and white wings. Anybody heard anything about that?

Oh, brother! As if there weren't enough problems with illegal aliens cross breeding in CA already!

I know it, usually I have to fly thousands of miles and break the bank to actually shoot one of these unusual birds I'm after.

And sometimes I only get one chance and miss! Don't even get me started about that curlew in Northern Ireland.....

DLH