Deep Woods with Thomas Moore is a column dedicated to the outdoors. This column will contain reports, tips, photos and gear reviews. There will be lots of hunting, fishing, and camping material in every installment. If anyone has pictures, helpful hints, or videos regarding the outdoors please send them to [email protected]. Thank you, and stay tuned for more of Deep Woods!

10. Purchase shotgun shells

This might seem like a no brainer, but in order to shoot dove, you need shotgun shells. Do not wait until the night before or even until the day of because it is possible that the local sporting goods store will be out of shells. Go ahead and buy plenty of shells. It will save you time once the season rolls around. Make sure you get 7 ½ or 8 shot, and buy a quality load. Don’t get the cheapest and dirtiest shells. Winchester makes a solid dove load.

9. Work with your dog

Your dog can’t be left to train itself. Get out every day and throw the bumper with your dog for 20 minutes or so. While dove hunting, you need to train the dog to not break when you shoot, or else it could be dangerous. Work on having your pup sit and wait for longer periods of time.

8. Clean your gun

It would not be idea to arrive at the dove field only to find out that your dirty shotgun won’t recycle spent shells. Take your shotgun apart and thoroughly clean it. Get some gun oil and be sure to clean all the gunk out of the tube and action.

7.  Shoot some clays

Getting out and shooting some clay targets is very helpful. It will get you back in the groove of shooting. Over the summer most people haven’t practiced which leads to a lot of missed dove. Go shoot some clay pigeons and be ready for the fast flying mourning doves.  

6. Go scouting

You don’t have to put in a bunch of hours of scouting, but you definitely should do a little bit of looking. Go to the field during the early morning and late afternoon. Pay special attention to the exact location they are going to and remember the places they are roosting and feeding.

5. Have a plan for your hunt

If you are traveling to hunt, have everything planned out. Know where you are going to set up, and make sure you have a backup spot. Check the weather and hunt accordingly.

4. Check your gear

Examine your gear in case you need to replace an item or fix something. If you’re looking to purchase a new backpack, check out this free backpack from Evatac. Noticing that your dove vest has holes in it is better to find out before the season rather than in the field. It would also be essential to find out details like why use a tent footprint.

3. Get your annual license if you don’t already have it

Go to Walmart or Ace hardware and get a NC resident hunting license! Not only your license, but a HIP certification is also required to hunt migratory game birds. The HIP certification is free of charge. Have all of your licenses on your person (unless under the age of 16) and make sure they are all accurate and up to date.

2.  Make sure your shotgun is plugged

Your gun can only hold 3 shells. One in the chamber and 2 in the plug. Make sure your shotgun has a plug that allows no more than 2 in the tube. This is for both semi-auto’s and pumps.

1. Have the right choke in your shotgun

Most people choose a skeet choke or an improved cylinder, but it is all personal preference. Some say it is better to use a modified choke and shoot them at a longer range. You will find the more of the close range you shoot, you will wound a lot less. Make sure you have the right choke before opening day.