2021 Labor Day Hunt - Dove Season Opener

Boykin Puppy after his First Hunt

 The weather for Monday afternoon on Sept. 6 was sunny and hot. The Labor Day dove hunt tradition at this field in Canadys for me hit the ten-year mark in 2021, with the crowd looking a bit older than in the pictured from 2011 that we looked back on while waiting to go into the field. Hunters were put in place by the hunt master around 2:45 and the corn stalks I was sitting in provided little shade, so I started drinking bottled water to compensate for the sweaty conditions. 

Drake Rides Up Front!

The doves started flying right after we got to the field, but they were a little aloof, with a good bit of starting and stopping to the action. By 4 p.m. I had five doves in hand, and by 5 p.m. I was up to 11 doves in hand. When the hunt master picked me up at 5:45 I had 13 doves in hand, and feeling very fortunate for the opening day action. It was also a 'coulda woulda shoulda limit' for me since I did not shoot one dove that lit on the powerline right by me, and I got handcuffed picking up spent shells when another dove came right over me. But that's hunting!

Several youths were in the field with the fathers this day, and acting as bird dogs, but we also had an 80-year old gentleman who did quite well in the dove field heat. Always glad to see the hobby of hunting still vibrant in someone who is well into their retirement years! An informal supper of chicken wings and watermelon was served after the hunt, and the doves were stacked up for our host to have and serve up at the next dove hunt. 

To view past blog entries about dove season opening click on 2020 Labor Day - 2016 Labor Day - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2012 Labor Day - 2011 Labor Day - 2010 - 2009  

Labor Day crew before the hunt