From topgun:
My opening day was near Thomaston, GA as the result of an invitation
wrangled by my youngest son, Josh (he found the field, his old man provided
guns and shells). We met at the appointed location and traveled from there
to the host farm; the owner of which had spent hours and hours in
preparation for this special day. We arrived to find dozens and dozens of
vehicles parked around the homestead; and followed a trail around same to
the large shed where everyone had gathered. Under this shed was a spread
equivalent to a Southern Baptist Church homecoming. We feasted on whole hog
pit-cooked bar-be-cue, venison bar-be-cue, kettle cooked GA hash (stew), and
all the associated fixin's, desserts, and sweet tea we could hold. Thanking
our host, who does not shoot by the way, and who; along with his wife and
helpers, had been up all night cooking and getting things ready for the big
event, we and the other guests begin fanning out to our appointed fields. I
understand this gentleman enjoys getting hunters together for fun and
fellowship, and that is his sole motivation (the world certainly needs more
folks like him!).
It had rained all morning, and the skies were heavily overcast all
afternoon. Still, it remained quite warm, and the high humidity kept the
lenses of my specs fogged all day. Our field was un-harvested wheat,
over-seeded with brown-top millet. This part of GA had obviously not been
as dry as my corner of the state, as the millet was knee-high and still
three weeks from ripening. Strips had been bush-hogged thru the field, and
the birds were feeding on the spilled wheat.
Everyone found a blind on a first come, first served basis. It didn't take
long to discover that the "Hot Corner" would not be very near the blinds my
son and I had selected; but rather a power pole located in the center of
this 8-10 acre field. Although large flights of birds would not to be seen
this day, the limited numbers of birds using this area were determined to
buzz this particular pole. Those in blinds at and near this pole enjoyed
good shooting; those of us on the perimeter had a great view of the action;
but very limited chances otherwise, save for the few "lucky" survivors.
I finally got a chance at a lone survivor about mid-afternoon, and folded
the bird cleanly with my Grade O Syracuse gun and a 7/8 oz Polywad Vintager
load. Upon retrieving the bird I was surprised and pleased to learn that my
trophy was a Collared or Eurasian dove. I was aware that this foreign
species had migrated to GA and that hunters were occasionally seeing and
taking this species; but I had never seen one personally, or recalled one
being taken on any fields I had shot over the years. I found the bird very
handsome, and its presence a blessing; as had it not been for this species
my shooting experience yesterday would really have been disappointing, as
four of the five birds I bagged were Eurasian.
As seen in the photos, the Eurasian is noticeably larger than our native
Mourning Dove, has a square fan, is much lighter in color, and lacks the
black wing spots. As the Eurasian dove is not native to GA, it is not
protected; so there is no bag limit, and bagged birds are not considered
within the 12 bird daily legal limit.
The rains came back just after 5;30 PM; so we decided it was time to call it
a day. Combined, my son and I had bagged 13 Mourning and Eurasian doves
from very limited opportunities; and, when compared to other opening days,
this "body count" was miniscule. But the weight of a game bag now holds
little fascination at this stage of my life; what was meaningful was the
time enjoyed with my son, the opportunity to meet and make new friends, the
fabulous "picnic"; and my first experience with the Collared dove. All
things considered, yesterday will be one of the most memorable shooting
experiences of my life. I hope everyone enjoyed a similar experience.
