Dove Opener in Parker

[Magic1]

Hello Hunters, Its been a while since I have been dove hunting and now that we have the Parker pad sure would like to give it a go again. Wondering if anyone had advice on spots to try and stay away from on CRIT land? I have only been to El Centro and Ciboba in the past. Thanks for any help !

 

[Skippy]

To be honest the best hunting around Parker is on CRIT land. Just get a CRIT license and be done with it. There is an office by the Chevy dealer in town. When you go in they will even radio certain fields to see if the birds are there. Last year they even asked what we were looking for (white wing, morning, eurasian). I have a place in Parker on the Cali side and we used to drive all the way to Palo Verde and back. Last year was much easier.

 

[Magic1]

To be honest the best hunting around Parker is on CRIT land. Just get a CRIT license and be done with it. There is an office by the Chevy dealer in town. When you go in they will even radio certain fields to see if the birds are there. Last year they even asked what we were looking for (white wing, morning, eurasian). I have a place in Parker on the Cali side and we used to drive all the way to Palo Verde and back. Last year was much easier.

Thanks !!! That helps a ton

 

[Skippy]

No problem. Maybe someone else can chime in but I think this is the way to go. If you have a California license there are some places to go but it can be really scratchy. Lots of variables obviously with respect to how many dove are around. Almost all farmland in and around Parker is CRIT.

 

[Magic1]

No problem. Maybe someone else can chime in but I think this is the way to go. If you have a California license there are some places to go but it can be really scratchy. Lots of variables obviously with respect to how many dove are around. Almost all farmland in and around Parker is CRIT.

Im game for Ideas, Im cool with CRIT land just sucks buying 2 licenses

 

[Skippy]

Im game for Ideas, Im cool with CRIT land just sucks buying 2 licenses

I’m not even going to buy a California license this year. Just depends on where you want to hunt

 

[Tooms22]

Just my girl and me in Cibola last opening weekend.

I want to try out the CRIT land but I heard it’s dangerously crowded. I also heard there’s plenty of birds for everyone.

 

[Skippy]

We went the week after the opener. Didn’t see anyone else hunting. Hotter than hell though. I believe steel shot is mandatory this year. Anyone know for sure?

 

[crzy2bealive]

Just my girl and me in Cibola last opening weekend.

View attachment 666703

I want to try out the CRIT land but I heard it’s dangerously crowded. I also heard there’s plenty of birds for everyone.

If you dont mind bird shot raining down over your head. Lol jk

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[Classic Daycruiser]

Opening day, any where you go, is pretty crazy.

I have a friend who has a farm near Maricopa, AZ. We bag out within the first 30 minutes of day break. Then one of us shoots a round over his metal barn, to wake up all the pigeons living inside ( 75-100). They come flying out of the barn, and fly circles around it. I usually go through a box and a half of shells on those pigeons, and between both of us, we usually get most of them. At first you just point, and 5 will come raining down at our feet. Towards the end, they get a little smarter, and it becomes a shooting competition, for who misses first.

 

[Magic1]

Opening day, any where you go, is pretty crazy.

I have a friend who has a farm near Maricopa, AZ. We bag out within the first 30 minutes of day break. Then one of us shoots a round over his metal barn, to wake up all the pigeons living inside ( 75-100). They come flying out of the barn, and fly circles around it. I usually go through a box and a half of shells on those pigeons, and between both of us, we usually get most of them. At first you just point, and 5 will come raining down at our feet. Towards the end, they get a little smarter, and it becomes a shooting competition, for who misses first.

OH Man that sounds like fun

 

[Skippy]

Has anyone scouted the Parker area yet? Pretty bad storm last week. May have pushed a bunch of birds south.

 

[Halvecto]

Just my girl and me in Cibola last opening weekend.

View attachment 666703

I want to try out the CRIT land but I heard it’s dangerously crowded. I also heard there’s plenty of birds for everyone.

Great pics. Did you train your GSP yourself? Is that a shock collar for direction or for attention when disobedient? I have a 10 month female. She is no where near ready to hunt, but I would like to take her out to be around it.

 

[sirbob]

Just my girl and me in Cibola last opening weekend.

View attachment 666703

I want to try out the CRIT land but I heard it’s dangerously crowded. I also heard there’s plenty of birds for everyone.

Great pics

We used to have a German Short Haired Pointer, ours was white with liver spots. Had to let her go because she wasn't really a good family dog - as they say, she was too birdy. Absolutely neurotic. Not her fault just a little over bread.

Loved taking her out to let her work...

 

[Tooms22]

Booked for Blythe the night of the 1st through the 3rd.

Great pics. Did you train your GSP yourself? Is that a shock collar for direction or for attention when disobedient? I have a 10 month female. She is no where near ready to hunt, but I would like to take her out to be around it.

Yeah, I trained her myself. That being said, she’s not the best hunter. I never trained the ADHD out of her. She can retrieve but stop and point is a little tougher.

Rubber band a dove wing to a tennis ball to get her on the scent. I’ve always had the hardest time with soft mouth.

She just turned 6 today.

The shock collar has become a “it’s business time” item. She knows she has it on. I beep her to start and if she doesn’t pay attention she gets a shock. The levels go up until she listens. She’s kind of a wuss, so the beep is usually sufficient.

Anybody who has a problem with that... almost every hunting dog is trained and hunts with a collar. GSPs especially have super insane personalities.

Great pics

We used to have a German Short Haired Pointer, ours was white with liver spots. Had to let her go because she wasn't really a good family dog - as they say, she was too birdy. Absolutely neurotic. Not her fault just a little over bread.

Loved taking her out to let her work...

Ours is a great family dog. She’s mellow indoors but is super excited to get outside and hunt down whatever moves.

I have some friends with big male GSPs... they have the fuuullllll GSP personality and are pretty stubborn. Ours actually listens and takes direction. But it took a lot of “helicopter parent” consistency in the beginning.

I work from home now but before we used leave her in the backyard... over the fence, under the fence, ripping out the screens. She didn’t want to be left.

That being said... I don’t regret it but she is our first and last GSP. I don’t field hunt enough to keep up with their personalities.

Good news... last week the vet said she’s healthy and they usually live 12-15 years because of their fitness level

Love her to death but she’s definitely our birth control right now.

 

[MOUZER]

WHY ........................

 

[MOUZER]

 

[Halvecto]

Booked for Blythe the night of the 1st through the 3rd.



Yeah, I trained her myself. That being said, she’s not the best hunter. I never trained the ADHD out of her. She can retrieve but stop and point is a little tougher.

Rubber band a dove wing to a tennis ball to get her on the scent. I’ve always had the hardest time with soft mouth.

She just turned 6 today.

The shock collar has become a “it’s business time” item. She knows she has it on. I beep her to start and if she doesn’t pay attention she gets a shock. The levels go up until she listens. She’s kind of a wuss, so the beep is usually sufficient.

Anybody who has a problem with that... almost every hunting dog is trained and hunts with a collar. GSPs especially have super insane personalities.



Ours is a great family dog. She’s mellow indoors but is super excited to get outside and hunt down whatever moves.

I have some friends with big male GSPs... they have the fuuullllll GSP personality and are pretty stubborn. Ours actually listens and takes direction. But it took a lot of “helicopter parent” consistency in the beginning.

I work from home now but before we used leave her in the backyard... over the fence, under the fence, ripping out the screens. She didn’t want to be left.

That being said... I don’t regret it but she is our first and last GSP. I don’t field hunt enough to keep up with their personalities.

Good news... last week the vet said she’s healthy and they usually live 12-15 years because of their fitness level

Love her to death but she’s definitely our birth control right now.

I sympathize. Fortunately, we have a big property. But wow, her energy level is incredible. I did the shock collar and like you, after just a few days, the beep and now just putting it on gets her "paying attention". It has taken time and patience. She needed and responded to firm instruction and lots of time. I must say, she has recently begun to really respond to verbal commands, usually firm. Still doesn't come when called, unless we have been gone for a while. She has to be close to me when I'm home or else she whistles until she can sit near me. Yours do that whistle? We go for long runs into the hills a few times a week. She is getting accustomed to seeing horses, rabbits, quail, etc. I just don't hunt enough to expect her to learn and maintain it. So, she is just a fun, super athletic friend.

I may take her up to Kingsburg for Dove opener just to be around birds, guns, noise, etc.. That is where I normally go out on a friend's orchard land.

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[Halvecto]

I sympathize. Fortunately, we have a big property. But wow, her energy level is incredible. I did the shock collar and like you, after just a few days, the beep and now just putting it on gets her "paying attention". Like you, it has taken time and patience. She needed and responded to firm instruction and lots of time. I must say, she has recetnly begun to really respond to verbal commands, usually firm. Still doesn't really come, when called, unless we have been gone for a while. She has to be close to me when I'm home or else she whistles. Your do that? We go for long runs into the hills a few times a week. She is getting accustomed to seeing horses, rabbits, quail, etc. I just don't hunt enough to expect her to learn and maintain it. So, she is just a fun, super athletic friend.

I may take her up to Kingsburg for Dove opener just to be around birds, guns, noise, etc.. That is where I normally go out on a friend's orchard land.

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With the attention to take the picures, she thinks we are going for a run..... Just like my kids when they were 2 yrs old. She goes hard all day, then crashes about 10:30.


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[Tooms22]

I sympathize. Fortunately, we have a big property. But wow, her energy level is incredible. I did the shock collar and like you, after just a few days, the beep and now just putting it on gets her "paying attention". It has taken time and patience. She needed and responded to firm instruction and lots of time. I must say, she has recently begun to really respond to verbal commands, usually firm. Still doesn't really come, when called, unless we have been gone for a while. She has to be close to me when I'm home or else she whistles until she can sit near me. Yours do that whistle? We go for long runs into the hills a few times a week. She is getting accustomed to seeing horses, rabbits, quail, etc. I just don't hunt enough to expect her to learn and maintain it. So, she is just a fun, super athletic friend.

I may take her up to Kingsburg for Dove opener just to be around birds, guns, noise, etc.. That is where I normally go out on a friend's orchard land.

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk

Beautiful dog.

I would say ours listens alright. It’s more of a selective hearing thing. If I go hard enough with the tone and volume... she responds about the third time. That’s why the collar is so necessary around guns and open fields with roads nearby.

Yeah, just getting her acclimated will help. Ours will almost tear her neck off when we strap her to the hitch and do some target shooting. She loves guns. She even gets excited if I whip out the Red Ryder or pellet gun.

Animals wise... she’ll go after lizards, flies, squirrels, rabbits, ducks, dove, quail and just about anything that’s not too big. Duck hunting: she’ll find it and retrieve it... if it’s dead. Alive - she looks at me like “Well I found it. Better shot next time and I’ll retrieve it.” Again, she’s a wuss.

If by whistle you mean very high pitched whine, then yes. I’ve told her to shut up before and it was actually a bird. They’re needy dogs.

 

[JB in so cal]

 

[Halvecto]

View attachment 676492

Great pic! Mine loves the water. We have a beach entry pool and she runs in through out the day to cool off. Will leap off the side if I'm in the water.

You are either a "dog whisperer" or the two of them entertain each other. I couldn't imagine 2x of my GSP. The one on the right has some serious muscle. Male?

 

[Halvecto]

Beautiful dog.

I would say ours listens alright. It’s more of a selective hearing thing.......

They’re needy dogs.

Agreed!! But there is something about them that make a great companion.

 

[GETBOATS]

My son rescued a GSP "Jack" 2 years ago, he's now 3 along with his running mate Razor, a Blue Tick Coonhound, my wife found the owners by some digging, met up with them. Long story, Jeremy the old owner offered Jack to us when he saw where he'd be living, took Razor home and that's it. Jack is the most athletic dog I have ever been around and we've had 20 or so different breeds. He runs every where patrolling the property, but checks in often, leans on your leg and goes again. In the shallow end of the pool 15 times a day, doesn't swim, just walks in, drinks and then leaps out of the water when chest deep. On the taller end of the breed and weighs 72-75, looks and walks like an Olympic sprinter, hes got thighs the size of chickens. Prehistoric looking feet. Sleeps on the couch on his back. Currently lives with a Harrier Hound 13 years old "luke" he eats some one every day, rabbit, rat, mouse, gopher, bird, crazy for food.

 

[Halvecto]

Jack is the most athletic dog I have ever been around and we've had 20 or so different breeds. He runs every where patrolling the property, but checks in often, leans on your leg and goes again. In the shallow end of the pool 15 times a day, doesn't swim, just walks in, drinks and then leaps out of the water when chest deep. On the taller end of the breed and weighs 72-75, looks and walks like an Olympic sprinter, hes got thighs the size of chickens. Prehistoric looking feet. Sleeps on the couch on his back.

Exactly. I am regularly amazed at what mine can do. The speed, leaping and change of direction causes a head shake often. Exhausting, but very fun dog.

 

[Old Texan]

TX season coming up[ in 2-3 weeks. Early Whitewing sooner.....

Can't believe Grads hasn't expressed his distaste for the thread yet....Probably doesn't know what a dove is

 

[MOUZER]

por lil doves............................wish they could shoot back..........

 

[JB in so cal]

Great pic! Mine loves the water. We have a beach entry pool and she runs in through out the day to cool off. Will leap off the side if I'm in the water.

You are either a "dog whisperer" or the two of them entertain each other. I couldn't imagine 2x of my GSP. The one on the right has some serious muscle. Male?

Both rescues. Male 5 year old on the left and female 10 year old on the right. The boy can go all day...but he pays for it the next couple day s lol

 

[GETBOATS]

 

[JB in so cal]

 

[BingerFang]

Olive and I will be there tearin it up!... Solid liver GSP.

 

[JB in so cal]

Olive and I will be there tearin it up!... Solid liver GSP.

good man. Booties!

 

[Halvecto]

Had a great time yesterday up in Kingsburg. Perfect weather, birds were flying low, the pup did great for her first time around large group, gun noise and birds. Didn't limit out, but was paying more attention to the dog.

Her first bird. She clenched hard, took some effort to get that mince meat back.

She got into the River and had a blast. Overall, it was a great first day. She was fine around the gun shot noise, the guys, in and out of the truck all day.

 

[JDub24]

Not Parker but we still had a great time... limits by 9 (a first for me) and then off to get some breakfast and bloodys at the local Moose Lodge. Great day for sure.

 

[thmterry]

We saw at least 20 dead dove floating down the river at Willow Valley. I dont ever remember seeing that before. It kinda sucked watching boats dodge them. What is the proper etiquette after you shoot a bird?

 

[Halvecto]

What is the proper etiquette after you shoot a bird?

To fetch your bird. It's not a video game. Shooting birds, or any animal and not retrieving or at minimum pursuing it to look for it, is not hunting. Simply put, it's lazy and selfish. I don't eat everything I kill, usually because I don't want it all or can't get it back home without spoiling. We always have a plan to give away what we don't want or use. We pulled the breast from about 40 dove and gave most to one of the orchard field foreman. They bread it and make dove nuggets or simmer them and make a pulled meat type taco.

 

[Halvecto]

View attachment 679037 View attachment 679041 View attachment 679038 View attachment 679042 View attachment 679040 View attachment 679039 Not Parker but we still had a great time... limits by 9 (a first for me) and then off to get some breakfast and bloodys at the local Moose Lodge. Great day for sure.

We had a big breakfast afterward also.

Anyone in your group shooting .410?
We all had .12. Thought about bringing my son's .20 gauge, but stuck with the 870 .12 .

 

[JDub24]

No sir. All 12 gauge. I shot my 870 yesterday and my Versamax today. Number 7 and 7 1/2 mostly. Threw in some 6’s for the flying tractors (euros). .410 is a bit lite for dove unless you are a great shot and they are in close.

I want to get a 20 gauge with a tighter choke and some 6’s for dove next year.

We had a big breakfast afterward also.

Anyone in your group shooting .410?
We all had .12. Thought about bringing my son's .20 gauge, but stuck with the 870 .12 gauge.

 

[Halvecto]

Nice. We didn't see any Euros. Just curious about the .410. Some of the young guys were saying they will go out after opening weekend and use it for fun.

 

[JDub24]

410 is a great fun for sure. Just takes a bit more skill and patience for sure.

The 12 gauge got the better of me a couple times on the opener... ha ha.

Kept getting hung up on my shirt when the birds were coming in hot and heavy.

Nice. We didn't see any Euros. Just curious about the .410. Some of the young guys were saying they will go out after opening weekend and use it for fun.

 

[Riverguy553]

We hunted the Indian reservation out by Poston and this was one of the worse years we had! Oh well wrong spot chosen but it looked ok on Friday when scouting.

 

[1time]

I’ll be hunting the Blythe area Friday, any areas you guys would recommend?

 

[lebel409]

Towards the northwest hills, find a spot between water and trees, cut field so you can find the birds after you pop them...

 

[Groper]

I'm thinking about going out tomorrow morning to do some scouting for thurs/fri am.

Anyone do ok out in the C.R.I.T area ?