Prairie Landscape and Opportunity
North Dakota offers a unique start to the upland and small game season with its early dove hunts. With a landscape dominated by prairie, cropland, and sloughs, the state provides ample feeding and roosting grounds for mourning doves during the late summer and early fall. These hunts often mark the beginning of a hunter’s fall calendar and offer a great opportunity to get out in the field while temperatures are still mild and birds are active in large numbers. Doves concentrate around harvested fields, watering holes, and shelterbelts, creating prime ambush points for patient hunters. Additionally, the abundance of sharp-tailed grouse in North Dakota adds to the upland hunting opportunities, making it a prime destination for hunters. Big game hunting licenses are also important for those looking to hunt species like moose and elk, offering unique experiences in North Dakota's vast wilderness.
Crop Fields and Feeding Behavior
Doves in North Dakota key in on grain fields, particularly wheat, barley, corn, and sunflower plots. Monitoring dove numbers is crucial to understanding hunting trends and opportunities in North Dakota. Hay lands with bare soil leading up to waterholes can also attract doves, highlighting the importance of habitat and access to water. Harvested fields with scattered seed and bare ground are ideal feeding areas, especially those bordered by roost trees or nearby water sources. Hunters should focus on freshly cut fields and observe the daily flight paths birds use between roost and feed. Mid-morning and late afternoon tend to produce the most action, with birds often flying low and fast across open spaces. Setting up along field edges or just inside a fence line provides good shooting opportunities.
Public Land and PLOTS Access
North Dakota’s Private Land Open To Sportsmen program, known as PLOTS, opens up private land for public hunting and includes a wide variety of dove-friendly habitat. These parcels are marked by yellow signs and can include everything from grassland buffers to harvested cropland and shelterbelts. In addition to PLOTS, wildlife management areas and federal lands provide further access. Using aerial maps and the state’s hunting atlas helps hunters locate productive fields and understand terrain features that influence bird movement.
Scouting and Flight Path Setup
Scouting a day or two before the hunt helps identify flight lines, feeding hotspots, and popular perches. Well-trained dogs are invaluable in scouting and retrieving birds during dove hunting. Observing small groups of doves can indicate the presence of birds in various environments, helping hunters make more informed decisions during their hunts. Setting up decoys to attract doves to these feeding hotspots can significantly improve your chances of a successful hunt. Doves are creatures of habit and tend to follow the same general paths between food and cover. Look for tree lines, power poles, and irrigation edges where birds can pause before descending into feeding zones. Once these areas are identified, positioning with the sun at your back and a clear shooting lane ahead gives hunters the best chance to connect with passing birds.
Weather and Migration Influence
North Dakota’s dove season opens in early September, but bird numbers can shift quickly due to weather. It is important to know the season dates for various hunting activities in North Dakota, as these dates can change and must be confirmed through official channels. Make sure to check official resources for accurate opening and closing dates for hunting seasons. Cold fronts can push birds to migrate south in a hurry, so the best hunting often occurs in the first two weeks of the season. Warm, calm mornings with little wind are ideal, as birds move more predictably and fly lower. Hunting around light rain or just before a front can also increase bird movement. Keeping an eye on the forecast helps time your outings for maximum activity.
Gear and Shooting Tips
A simple setup is often all that’s needed. A single shot can be thrilling when a hunter successfully connects with a bird during a hunt, adding a personal touch to the hunting narrative. The importance of a trained dog for retrieving downed birds cannot be overstated. A lightweight shotgun with an improved cylinder choke is perfect for fast-flushing birds. Six to eight shot sizes are common, and plenty of shells should be on hand given the doves’ erratic flight. Camouflage helps in open country, but concealment can also be achieved with a few natural brush piles or sitting along a fenceline. A stool or bucket with a shell pouch, eye and ear protection, and hydration gear round out a comfortable kit for early season hunts.
Field Etiquette and Conservation
Public fields may draw multiple hunters on opening weekend, so safety and respect are crucial. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department (NDGF) is a reliable authority for obtaining the latest information regarding hunting seasons, regulations, and updates. It is important to consult the North Dakota Game and Fish website for up-to-date regulations and conservation efforts. Maintain a safe distance from others, clearly identify your shooting lanes, and avoid firing at low birds near adjacent setups. Pick up empty shells and any trash to help keep the field clean and open for future use. Supporting North Dakota’s habitat programs and reporting banded birds contribute to broader conservation efforts and management of the dove population.
Conclusion
Dove hunting in North Dakota serves as a welcome start to the fall hunting season, offering warm weather, fast action, and a great opportunity to knock off the rust before other upland birds come into play. The camaraderie shared among friends and family during dove hunting events adds to the enjoyment, making it a festive occasion that strengthens bonds. Dove hunting can also be an exciting first hunt for new or inexperienced hunters, offering a unique experience to start their hunting journey. By scouting feeding fields, watching flight lines, and making the most of public access programs, hunters can enjoy some of the best early season wingshooting the state has to offer. It’s a low-pressure way to kick off the year and a reminder of how rewarding small game hunting can be. We hope the information provided will be beneficial to hunters.
FAQs
When does dove season open in North Dakota?
Dove season usually opens in early September and runs into October, with the best hunting during the first few weeks of the season. It is important to stay informed about season dates and regulations before heading out for a hunt. The dove opener is a significant event marking the start of the dove hunting season, offering plentiful opportunities and minimal competition among hunters. Hunters often start preparing in late August by scouting and monitoring dove activity.
Where can I hunt doves on public land in North Dakota?
PLOTS lands, wildlife management areas, and federal properties offer public access. Hunters often set up near a lane leading from the county road to their camp, highlighting the geographical features that influence dove movement and hunting strategies. These areas are marked and included in the state’s hunting atlas.
What crops attract doves in North Dakota?
Harvested wheat, barley, and sunflowers are top draws for feeding doves, especially fields with bare ground and nearby water or roosting cover. Doves might occasionally fly between locations, such as from a fence to the ground. The timing of dove hunting often coincides with the harvest of these crops, which attracts large numbers of doves to the fields.
What is the best time of day to hunt doves?
Mid-morning and late afternoon offer the most bird movement, particularly around feeding areas and water sources. The anticipation and activities that take place at night before a hunt can enhance the overall experience, as hunters prepare for the coming day’s activities in the field. Patience and the challenges of waiting for the perfect opportunity during the hunting season are crucial, as hunters strategically wait for doves to arrive while setting up decoys. These times are also good for finding birds resting in day roosts, such as abandoned farmsteads and tree rows.
What gear do I need for dove hunting in North Dakota?
A lightweight shotgun, camouflage clothing, stool or bucket, a box of shells, and safety gear like eye and ear protection are essential for a productive hunt. Hunters often require multiple boxes of shells to successfully bag their limit, highlighting the challenging nature of shooting doves.