Dove Nation: Photographs from Three Dove Openers Throughout America

August 29, 2023

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Mississippi

For the final three generations, the Hardys have been farming their land in Lowndes County, Miss. Mark Hardy’s grandfather bought about 10,000 acres along with his brothers on the flip of the twentieth century, and so they based the Magowah Gun Membership across the similar time.

Yearly for opening day of dove season, the Hardys open their house to family and friends for a weekend of enjoyable and searching. They share meals and commerce tales from the previous yr. Additionally they host an invite-only hunt for members of Magowah, which drew about 60 individuals final yr. Although they’re gathered to have a good time the dove opener, the variety of birds taken isn’t their major concern. For the Hardys and their associates, the weekend is all about spending time with one another. As one hunter put it, “Nobody truly cares concerning the bag. If we did, we might do issues a lot otherwise.”

pile of doves ready for cleaning — *Raymond McCrea Jones*

young woman in camo shirt and cap holds up dove — Mallory Amos hoists a dove excessive. *Raymond McCrea Jones*

young hunter carrying dove and gun walks through field and sun sets over his shoulder — Davis Jackson carries his final hen of the day. *Raymond McCrea Jones*

group of adults and children wearing camo gathers on open bed of pickup truck — Hunters pile onto a truck. *Raymond McCrea Jones*

diptych of clay thrower and bin with shotgun shells loose and in boxes — *Raymond McCrea Jones (2)*

man in straw hat and blue shirt, camp chef portrait — Every year, Jack “Junior” Henry cooks his well-known BBQ for the gathering. *Raymond McCrea Jones*

two young dove hunters with shotguns sit in field as sun sets in distance behind trees — *Raymond McCrea Jones*

hound dog rests on brick floor — *Raymond McCrea Jones*

Young dove hunter in camo t-shirt stands in meadow with gun over his shoulder. — Hampton Tucker pauses between flights, shotgun over his shoulder. *Raymond McCrea Jones*

Kansas

Early on the morning of September 1, a bunch of family and friends gathered in a public searching space not removed from Wamego, Kansas. This small city of lower than 5,000 within the central a part of the state is surrounded by fields of alfalfa, wheat, and corn, and cattle pastures. Throw in some sunflowers and you’ve got ultimate dove habitat.

Josh Wildin introduced his 6-year-old daughter, Makenzie, alongside for the opener. “Her favourite half is my favourite half—consuming the little buggers,” he stated. “I don’t need her to overlook out on this.”

The hunters didn’t go house empty-handed. Earlier than the capturing began, they plotted their technique, posting up alongside rows of standing sunflowers to ambush the birds. Doves darted throughout the bluebird skies, pictures rang out, and birds fell. An keen black Lab helped collect the birds, after which everybody pitched in to breast them out. The season couldn’t have began on a greater notice.

black lab sitting in grassy area holds dove in mouth — Maverick pitches in in the course of the Kansas dove opener. *Matt Nager*

girl holds dove as hunter with shotgun looks on, sunflower field — Makenzie Wildin examines a dove shot by her father, Josh. *Matt Nager*

dove hunters with raised shotguns line the edge of a brown sunflower field — Shooters line up for the following flight. *Matt Nager*

dead dove in foreground being held by hunter in camo — Success. *Matt Nager*

Hunter with shotgun strap over shoulder holds several doves and stands in cut field. — Kris Boucher poses with a handful of birds. *Matt Nager*

diptych: Kansas — From left: Kansas maintains 1000’s of acres which are open for public searching; associates pose for a bunch picture throughout a break. *Matt Nager (2)*

Dead dove in hand, grassy background — A dove destined for the grill. *Matt Nager*

dove breast meat in hands that are bloody and covered in feathers — Maverick pitches in in the course of the Kansas dove opener. *Matt Nager*

Diptych of dove feathers on grass and spent shotgun shell on grass — *Matt Nager (2)*

Texas

Dove searching is severe enterprise all throughout Texas, however on the Nooner Ranch, close to Hondo, the birds are accorded royal standing. However provided that the host, Sammy Nooner, is named the Duke of Dove, you might need guessed that.

Few states encourage youth searching with the identical enthusiasm as Texas. Any little one, so long as she or he is accompanied by an grownup who has bought an annual searching allow, can hunt doves and small sport freed from cost. On opening day final yr, as doves swarmed over the dried sunflower stalks, the younger weapons took to the sphere. One in all them, 6-year-old Kate Friesenhahn, was armed solely with a BB gun.

The whitewings flew quick and exhausting, and various managed to keep away from the storm of shot despatched their means. However the hunters related properly sufficient in order that by the point they cased their shotguns, everybody had loads of dove breasts to take house.