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SLOW
OPENER FOR DOVES IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY
By: Ron Wilson
A month ago it looked
like we would have a great dove opener. I saw several 10 to 20-bird flocks
flying around.
Unfortunately Mother
Nature did her usual August surprise. She brought a change of weather and
a lightning storm that moved a good percentage of the birds to greener
pastures!
The dove season opener
was a poor one all through the central valley of California. The
successful hunters were generally near water of some type. Ponds, canals
or rivers were the hotspots to be near.
I went with my son
Donald and grandson Derick along with relative Charlie and his son Cody to
some private land in the foothills for the Dove season opener.
It was quickly evident
that the flocks had left the area. The biggest flock we saw was five
birds.
I set up eight dove
decoys on a fence near our shoot area. They were drawing the bird’s close
enough for a shot.
Derick nailed a dove
on his first shot while grandpa had nothing but air in his first five
tries! I was granted a reprieve when Derick missed a few doves before
eventually connecting again.
I got a kick out of
watching Cody and his dad Charlie hunting doves. It seemed like every bird
within range was dropped. It would usually be hit on the first shot and
sometimes twice before hitting the ground.
By 9:00 a.m. it was
evident that what flight we had was over. We cleaned our birds and took
them home to make my yearly pot of dove dumplings.
If you haven’t had
dove dumplings, you’ve got to try this recipe.
DOVE DUMPLING RECIPE:
Breast out about 10
doves and add to boiling water to make a broth.
While the broth is boiling combine the following ingredients to create the
dumpling mix.2/3-cup milk
6 eggs
1-teaspoon baking powder
3 cups flower
Salt and pepper to taste
After the broth is
made take out the breasts and pull the meat from the bones, then drop back
into the water.
While still boiling
drop heaping teaspoons of dumpling mix into the water. Just load the
teaspoon and ease it into the water, the mixture comes right off.
After all the mix is
placed in the pan, cover it and turn the fire down to just a simmer for
about 10 minutes so it slow cooks, don’t let it boil over.
Let stand and cook
with lid on and fire off for another 10 to 15 minutes so that the dough
gets cooked and saturated with juice. Enjoy!
We went back to more
private land along a canal in the valley for an afternoon shoot and it was
red hot. The boys had a ball and so did the grownups as we finished off
our limits.
Hunting is fun anytime
but when you have your friends and family enjoying it with you its just
much more special! |
