2020 Labor Day dove hunters and canines too
The heat and humidity of August continued right into September, and with September 1 falling on a Tuesday, that pushed the Labor Day dove hunts back until September 7. The heatwave broke on September 6 and Labor Day dove hunters enjoyed their afternoon sunshine, and even managed to eek out a few clouds and gentle breezes along the way. The sporting dogs still looked hot in their work, but keeping them supplied with water was the perfect remedy. The doves did not miss a beat, and they flew in all directions with a distinct flurry between 3:30 and 4 p.m. when they gave the hunters a preview of what is to come during the remainder of dove season.
What was new and different for 2020 dove season is Covid-19 and the social distancing that comes with it. When I arrived at the dove hunt at 1 p.m. I was greeted by the hunt master Scott Crosby, and then I was picked up by Cecil Lachicotte in a utility cart , and shuttled to my position in the dove field. The usual meet and greet social hour was put on hold, and I only spoke to the hunters nearest to me in the dove field during the hunt. At then end of the hunt, we did gather together briefly for your humble blogger to make a group photo and a hunt memory for all to remember. While some hunters may have chosen to linger, myself and several others felt free to depart soon after making the photo.
I have been dove hunting since I was old enough to be drug into a dove field by my father, toting a single shot 20-gauge shotgun. One rule about the opening day of dove season, which rings true again in 2020, is that one's arm sure is sore after that first day of shooting two boxes of shotgun shells at doves. And being out in the sun in a dove field for hours on end means that you will be getting a farmer's tan that will last into the Fall. The field I hunted in was all mature sunflowers, clean of ground cover, which makes recovering downed birds a lot easier. Hunters stationed on a lightline seemed to have the best shooting early on, but by the time the hunt ended around 5 p.m. everyone had a good bit of shooting and a story to tell. There will be other holiday dove hunts later in 2020, but Labor Day includes that feeling of getting back into the field, and being with those that make time for opening day doves.
To view past blog entries about dove season opening click on 2016 Labor Day - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2012 Labor Day - 2011 Labor Day - 2010 - 2009
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