What time of the year should I come?
There are 4 seasons to the “Dove Year”, as the birds react to seasonal changes in weather and availability to food and water. As with any wild hunt, these factors can vary, and as such, may affect the timing of the different seasons. Throughout the year doves are in search of food and water, it is vital for them to have access to it within a short range of our main roosts and transitional roosts. In years with unstable weather, which may affect these factors, the traditional movement of our dove can change. Doves react to these changes and we do too.
At David Denies we are prepared for these natural changes, and for this reason, we are in continuous geographical growth to provide comfort in daily logistics as well as the quality and quantity of doves you will enjoy during your hunt. Our daily logistics begins with our main scout who goes out to check the expansive area we hunt, and then once we are in the field, the other 3 scouts check the area near where we are hunting. This makes it possible to obtain valuable information that is then analyzed by our heads guides.
The head guides are seasoned, professional hunters who take the birds’ movements into consideration and decide on the best possible hunting locations, prioritizing the quality and quantity of doves. The decision also takes into consideration the length of driving required to reach the field, but always with the mission of providing you with the best possible dove shooting experience.
The following calendar separates the year into quarters, and each section highlights perfect times for hunting. All of this information is based upon traditional data compiled over our 38 years of hunting the area. Weather and other factors may affect the date ranges and drive times listed.
“The Glorious Hills” – Mid-July to Mid-February
Weather: This season includes the end of winter, the entire spring, and part of our summer— almost half our year. For the end of winter and most of the spring, we experience mild temps and blue skies carrying easterly winds. During our mid-winter and early spring, we can find challenging birds due to a combination of deep valleys and wind, especially in August. The tail end of this block is our summer when we can experience tropical showers late in the day with a predominantly northerly wind.
Doves: We can present every bird in the book during this broad time of year, from sky-scraping high doves to low and slow birds perfect for beginners—and all flying at every possible angle. We’re situated in the hills daily at this time of year, changing hunting scenarios every hunt, and we can use our location to our advantage to produce just about any hunt a client or a group might prefer. We can also “duplicate” every game birdshot in the book—from high pheasants, crossing ducks, or incoming grouse. If hunters want low birds we hunt the ridges; and if they want high doves we go deep into the valleys. We also hunt an array of local farms, which provide a nice variation from day-to-day.
Also, hunting with double guns can be offered, our professional field assistants can stuff or double gun every day.
Driving distances: 15 to 25 minutes
“In Transition” – Mid-February to Mid-March
Weather: Sunny and dry, with occasional light showers.
Doves: A combination of the hills and flat hunting, with the best hunts occurring early in the morning and after 3 p.m. until sunset at 8 pm. Much like our June/July hunting, but with the benefit of longer days and warmer temperatures. This season is short because the doves will stop hatching due to lack of food and start holding in temporary roosts in the flats close to the agricultural production areas. As David Denies is the only outfitter holding 300.000+ acres of land, we can still guarantee incredible customized hunting while other outfitters close their doors during this time. This is the opposite movement from our June/July hunt in that we are now moving from the hills back to the flats; two great hunts per day, often with a long lunch and time for a nap at midday. Beautiful, warm weather.
Driving distance: 15 to 70 minutes
“The Flatlands” – Mid-March to Mid-June
Weather: This is our autumn, and while we can have some rain in March, April, and early May it’s rarely more than a day or two of rain per month. Then our dry season begins.
Doves: During “The Flatlands” period we find a high concentration of low-flying birds feeding or in temporary roosts. We can see high birds depending on the wind and how far we’re located from the feeding or roosting areas. The main reason the birds fly this way at this time of year is because they’re following combines that are harvesting sorghum, soybean, and corn. During this time of year, we also shoot feedlots and water holes where the birds gather to eat and drink.
Driving distance: 15 to 60 minutes
“Heading for the Hills” – Mid-June to Mid-July
Weather: Cold in the morning, comfortable in the evening; blue skies every day with a predominant south wind.
Doves: A combination of low and high-flying birds depending on where we find better hunting conditions (flatlands or hills) or both. One day we can be hunting in the flats; the following day in the hills. This time of year is what we call our winter transition, and it only lasts a month. We continue to hunt the flats and we start hunting the hills as well, depending on the flight pattern of the doves from day-to-day.
Driving distances: 20 to 35 minutes.
