Eurasian Doves - Idaho

[idahofishnhunt]

I've shot a few of these during the regular dove season, but have never actively pursued them in the off season even though they are open all year long, and there is no lack of them around. I was curious if anyone (Idaho) has actually gone out and set up for them in the off season? They are pretty easy to identify when they are flying so shooting a mourning dove by mistake....could happen, but doubtful. I just figured this might be something fun to do...considering the harvest is on and they are really flying around a lot right now feeding.

Straight from the Idaho regs if you're curious...

"Eurasian-collared doves may be taken in any amounts and at any time by holders of the appropriate valid Idaho hunting or combination hunting license, provided such taking is not in violation of state, county, or city laws, ordinances or regulations. "

 

[fishing4sanity]

Washington has pretty much same regs for them. Have you eaten them? I've been meaning to shoot a few and try them, but just haven't gotten to it.

 

[ida homer]

I never shoot them, they are too pigeon like for me! But I'd bet if you pick up a dove mojo (pretty cheap) or use a teal mojo on a fence line or near some russian olives they will come right in or at least close enough to pass shoot. The mourning doves can't stay away from them.

I'll be honest, I look forward to the dove opener more than the 90+ degree archery hunts each year.

 

[idahofishnhunt]

I have two dove mojo's, 8 clip on's, and 8 feeders. When I get my spread out it works pretty good...especially if I can set up on a fence or some dead trees which they seem to love...and throw some feeders down to funnel them in. I also just got a dove call...not sure how that will work yet, I've been doing it in the back yard as the doves come in and feed under the bird feeder, they seem very intrigued by it.

I have eaten the Eurasians...they are decent sized, but your right...the dove itself is very pigeon like on the outside...that powdery feel to the feathers. But they eat fine.

I can't wait for dove season, not just cause they are fun as hell to shoot...but the kids love going out with me after them, and they make great retrievers! Fun to just run out after dinner in the evenings and pop a few.

 

[sbhooper]

I think that they are here to stay. They seem to be everywhere. There is no reason that they should not be as good as any other dove or pigeon to eat (I don't like any of them really).

When I was sitting in a border police base in eastern Iraq, we had the only trees for a long ways. There were flights of those things flying everywhere. I sure wished at that time that I had a shotgun to pass some time shooting them.

At least they are bigger targets.

 

[6speed]

I shoot them out of my back yard all the time. Put the breasts in a pepper with some goat cheese and wrap it in bacon and its hard to beat for the cost of the effort.

 

[Wally Dog]

Same size as and flies just like a white-winged dove. Great table fare just like it's smaller relative.
Habits virtually the same as a mourning dove. Grain, grit, water and roost.

 

[tarheel]

They're just beginning to show up in small numbers in NC over the last few years, moving up from the South. I saw one pair on a wire in the SE part of the state a few years ago but so far none observed in the Western part. Since they seem to be inevitable I'd like them to hurry up so I'll have more to show for the heat and mosquitoes of opening day. There's no limit on them but so far can only be harvested during regular season unless rules have changed this year.

 

[choc dogs]

We changed a hunt last year from mourning doves to eurasian because the farmer dumped a bunch of grain and we thought the field qualified as baited. Like you said pretty easy to id on the wing and not much difference on the table when turned into poppers. They also make a nice diversion in december for the kids when ducks arent flying. Sometimes see flocks of 20-30 when it's cold.

 

[idahofishnhunt]

I was finally able to get a concrete answer back...just to clarify what I had previously thought.

"Mr. XXXXX:

As related to your question: as long as you possess a valid 2014 hunting license you can use decoys to draw the Eurasian doves in for hunting. Further there is nothing in code or rule to prohibit the use of decoys for hunting mourning doves.

Also, keep this new rule in mind when transporting Eurasian collared doves as found on page 21 of the Upland Game, Furbearer & Turkey 2014 and 2015 Seasons and Rules brochure:

Species Identification:

One (1) fully-feathered wing or the head must be retained on all dressed game birds (except turkey) and Eurasian-collared doves to permit identification as to species and sex while being transported between the place where taken and the personal abode of the possessor OR between the place where taken and a commercial processing or storage facility. The beard or leg of wild turkey must be left naturally attached to the carcass while being transported."

Sincerely,

Chris Wright
Assistant Chief - Law Enforcement
P.O. Box 25
Boise Idaho 83707

 

[Gr8bawana]

Out here in NV they have been designated an unproteced species. So there is no limit on them.
I get them in the back yard when they come down to eat chicken feed.

 

[idahofishnhunt]

They are definitely some big bastards compared to their cousins. I snapped these guys mingling together under the feeder in the back yard.