Dove Decoys, DOVE DECOYS CAUSE DOVE DIVING Options

[George Fasciano]

I have been on hundreds of dove hunts. Some where great and others not so good. It is innevitable when you combine, guns, dogs, people, and sometimes kids accidents do happen. It so important to be safe, but as safe as you can be things happen.

My last email I told how I use a fishing pole to position my decoy. Some like the power line other did not. Now Iwould never shoot a dove off the wire but on the way. Ohh yea

Off all the dove hunts I have been on two of which people got shot. Not the regular peppering which does occur now and then. We are talking about breaking skin, at hunts that were pretty fancy .In both cases the dove decoy I love dearly were used.

The decoys were placed on the ground in front of the hunter. Spread out a few feet apart. The goal for the hunter was to bring the doves in . What ended up happening the doves seeing the decoys would dive last minute during shooting, and or dove after they were shot at. The gunner following the bird with his sight, reacted instinctivly and followed the bird below the 49% rule (LOW GUN). There for shooting the person in front of you.

A pattern emerged: Be careful not only for low birds, but the doves diving caused by dove decoys.

[okbowman]

This should not be a problem if everyone keeps safety in mind. Its not the doves nor is it the decoys fault if someone gets shot. Its the hunters fault! I've never been on a dove hunt where anyone was shot. We ALWAYS space ourselves appropriately and are aware of where everyone is. Dove diving and decoys are not the reason people get shot!

[Sp3Ak-Th3-LaNgUaG3]

i agree with bowman. Dove decoys may cause dove diving but there's no reason people should be hurt.

[GreeneCoDeerKiller]

That the reason I flip mine over a power line or a bear tree limb. I feel it make them mor visable and the shot at the dove coming to the decoy are safer. But even if you put them on the ground people still shouldn't be shot, people just need to exercise a little caution when shooting at doves coming to them.