Where can you hunt doves in Illinois?
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources does a fantastic job of providing habitat for dove, specifically sunflower fields. A couple excellent public hunt areas include Kankakee State Park and Des Plaines Conservation Area. These places are close and usually have good success rates.
Where is the best place to hunt doves?
Here are some favorite and productive field spots for dove stands:
- GAPS. Any prominent dip or slot in perimeter timber of a field can be a natural travel lane for doves.
- MID-FIELD ISLANDS. These are “perching sites” where doves sit just before landing in fields.
- HILLS.
- POINTS.
- FIELD CORNERS.
- HEAVY TIMBER.
- WATER HOLES.
What is the limit on dove in Illinois?
15
Dates & Limits
| SPECIES | ZONE | DAILY LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
| Doves (mourning and white-winged) | Statewide | 15 |
| Pheasant (roosters only) | North (see map) | 2 |
| South (see map) | ||
| Quail (Bobwhite) | North (see map) | 8 |
What is the best time to hunt doves?
Basic dove hunting methods
If hunting in the morning, dove hunters should set up no later than sunrise. Evening shooters will be most successful right before dusk. Both beginners and experienced dove hunters must resist the temptation to fire off rounds until doves cross into range.
How close can you hunt to a house in Illinois?
Illinois General Assembly – Bill Status for HB2873. Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to hunt within 50 yards of a property line without first obtaining written permission from the adjacent property owner or tenant.
Do I need a duck stamp to hunt doves?
There is very little equipment required and just about any place open for hunting will have mourning doves. Minimum requirements are a valid hunting license and upland game bird stamp (if the hunter is 18 or older), good footwear, a shotgun, shotgun shells and plenty of water.
How far should you lead a dove when shooting?
six feet
You want to aim over six feet in front of the bird. As a general rule, one inch of barrel movement equals one foot of lead for the bird. If you shoot like you are going to miss in front of the bird, you will likely put the dove right in the center of your shot pattern.
Should you wear camo when dove hunting?
Wear camouflage or drab clothing and avoid movement: Blaze orange hunting apparel has its place in hunting, but not dove hunting. These birds see color and will flare when they detect bright-hued clothing that sticks out from its surroundings.
Where should you aim for dove hunting?
You want to aim over six feet in front of the bird. As a general rule, one inch of barrel movement equals one foot of lead for the bird. If you shoot like you are going to miss in front of the bird, you will likely put the dove right in the center of your shot pattern.
What gun do you dove hunt with?
The most common shotguns found in the dove fields are 20-, 16- or 12-gauge. The big 12-gauge semi-auto takes center stage as the most popular. This is in part due to a dove’s ability to be difficult to hit because of their fast and erratic flight maneuverability.
Can I hunt on my own land without a license in Illinois?
Hunting is also allowed on private property IF you have received prior permission from the landowner or tenant. IDNR has a Land Access Permission Card to facilitate this approval. “Property Only Hunting” permits are available to landowners who meet the requirements.
How many acres do you need to hunt in Illinois?
It combines current provisions for deer, turkey and combination hunting licenses to Illinois landowners residing in Illinois who own at least 40 acres of Illinois land and wish to hunt upon their land only, resident tenants of at least 40 acres of commercial agricultural land where they will hunt and bona fide equity …
What’s the best choke for dove hunting?
skeet choke
For most shooters, a skeet choke is best for early season doves and an improved-cylinder choke is second best. If you shoot a two-barreled shotgun, it’s hard to beat skeet for the first shot and improved-cylinder for the follow-up.
Can you hunt doves over bait?
You cannot hunt doves or any other migratory game bird by the aid of baiting or on or over any baited area where you know or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited.
What size shot is best for dove hunting?
The options for dove hunting ammunition are varied, but most use No. 7.5 or 8 shot. The key to either is to make sure the bird is with the 30- to 40-yard optimum range for any shell.
What gun do you use for dove hunting?
How much should you lead a dove?
How far away from a house can you hunt in Illinois?
Where do you aim on a dove?
How far do you aim in front of a dove?
How long does it take for doves to find a field?
Remember, it takes 60 days to grow millet to maturity (good seed formation). If it is not raining and weather allows, you can cut, bale and remove the hay within a week. You need another week or 2 for doves to find the field and start feeding. This is somewhere around 75-80 days before you are ready to hunt.
Is Camo necessary for dove hunting?
A full choke is seldom needed for dove hunting. Wear camouflage or drab clothing and avoid movement: Blaze orange hunting apparel has its place in hunting, but not dove hunting. These birds see color and will flare when they detect bright-hued clothing that sticks out from its surroundings.
How far do you shoot in front of a dove?
How do you attract doves fast?
Providing a range of grains and seeds is a sure way to attract doves, and they are partial to sunflower seeds, millet, milo, cracked corn, and wheat. Because these are larger birds, they prefer feeding on the ground or using large, stable tray or platform feeders that have adequate room to perch.
How do you prepare a field for dove hunting?
Dove field managers should begin manipulating portions of their standing crops 10-14 days prior to hunting to begin attracting doves to the site. The goal of manipulations should be to provide loose, scattered seeds (most commonly by mowing) on top of relatively clean ground so doves can easily access them.