Pay for Dove Hunt

[jad2t]

Does anybody know of a pay dove hunt or have access to one? I'd gladly pay a fee to hunt land with a minimal amount of responsible hunters rather than deal with the chaos at the TWRA fields. I've read a lot about how there are often more hunters than birds, multiple people shooting at the same bird so you don't know who got it, people shooting at low birds, etc. My Father and I discussed going in September but we'd both much rather join in on a pay hunt. I promise to keep quiet on the location and of course leave the place cleaner than I found it. You won't even see used shells, not from me anyway.

[MNfisher]

We used to tear up the doves on private land in MN. We would just scout, and ask permission. We got permission about 30-50% of the time. Wonder how hard it is down here.

I could use a good dove shoot and dove cookout....delicious little morsels!

[jad2t]

We used to tear up the doves on private land in MN. We would just scout, and ask permission. We got permission about 30-50% of the time. Wonder how hard it is down here.

I could use a good dove shoot and dove cookout....delicious little morsels!

Dove meat is the filet mignon of the sky!!

MN is out of the range I'd be willing to drive haha. I've thought about driving around and asking farmers for permission and probably will eventually but I figured I'd ask if anyone had one or knew of one and I'd gladly pay.

Are you going to any of the public hunts in September?

[XxthejuicexX]

I love to dove hunt so if you guys come up with anything let me know, same for me. I have been driving around here in central Illinois and there are a ton of doves hanging out around the corn fields.

[TNBronzeback]

http://www.ducks.org/tennessee/events/35032/knoxville-area-dove-shoot

I went to one of these dove hunts when it was held in crossville several years ago. It was a very well thought out set up. Safe distances and designated areas to choose from so ya didnt have to worry about cross shooting and who shot what.
I didnt pay $50 though....lol....it was $15 when i went.
Maybe things have changed but i can say when i went it was pretty good.

[Travis C.]

There used to be one up the street from my old house where my dad still lives. It was called Long Meadow Farms https://www.facebook.com/pages/Long-meadows-farm/294587173905459 but apparently it's not in business anymore.

Where I live now there is a place just around the corner from me maybe a couple miles or so called Sleeping Bear Lodge and Farms http://www.sleepinbearlodgeandfarms.com/attractions.html

They do an annual hunt but not sure the particulars.

[Reel Tune]

I miss dove hunting the water melon, bean, and corn fields in Indiana, and then there was the reclaimed coal mine land with 10,000 acres or so. I'd be interested in a hunt.

[jad2t]

I know that on the way to Williamsport there are several fields of corn and sunflowers. Very pretty drive out there. It wouldn't hurt to knock on a couple doors on my way out next time I go to fish there and ask for permission. The worst that can happen is they say no.

[GO-OKFISHIN]

Really no secret. There is one on Gold Road almost every year. Bedford/ Marshall county Line. Was $15. Beasley's farm on Chapel Hill to Unionville Road off Hwy. 41. Barn is about a mile on the left. Usually $20.

[jad2t]

I can't find any info about those online, is that by choice of the farmer? Do I have to just drive out there and pay to hunt?

[GO-OKFISHIN]

The Gold Rd. farm used to put up signs around the 3rd week of August. Mr. Beasley is a farmer doesn't advertise. Just show up but you better get there early. A lot of people know about it. I will call him as the season gets closer and send you a PM.

[Saltwaterwalt]

I'd be willing to join a pay dove hunt whenever you find one.

[Pookie]

Really no secret. There is one on Gold Road almost every year. Bedford/ Marshall county Line. Was $15. Beasley's farm on Chapel Hill to Unionville Road off Hwy. 41. Barn is about a mile on the left. Usually $20.

The Gold Rd. farm used to put up signs around the 3rd week of August. Mr. Beasley is a farmer doesn't advertise. Just show up but you better get there early. A lot of people know about it. I will call him as the season gets closer and send you a PM.
Stay away from the Gold's farm on Gold Rd. Three years ago, I leased what John Gold called "The Garden Spot" for $750. The day before opening day, the game warden red flagged the whole place due to it being double seeded. I found out at that time he had also double leased it to me and TWRA for a youth hunt.

Needless to say, the Drunk never refunded my money. The old man (Parks) wouldn't do anything about it either. John died last year (may he burn in hell) so I know he won't be doing it again. One tract of that property, 250 acres, was transferred shortly after his death.

If you go, beware.

[GO-OKFISHIN]

Interesting. I only hunted there 1 time. We have been going to Mr. Beasley's the last 4-5 years.

[CRobinson1985]

Theres one not to far down from our house here at the Davidson/Rutherford line but the only time I have been it was crazy busy.

[Pookie]

There's one advertised on Craigslist in Portland. They provide lunch and a hunt for $100

[jad2t]

Definitely not paying 100 bucks. I went to Bark Camp Barrons yesterday and only was able to shoot at 9 birds, got 2 of them. I had such a great time though and am looking forward to a few more hunts before this phase ends. After opening day the crowds significantly diminish. I could have a had a great day of shooting but most of the birds coming my way were either shot or turned around before getting into my range. My Father and I tried to move but it was too crowded and we didn't want to impede on other's spots.

Anyone else get out yesterday or plan on dove hunting? I'm considering the Chetham field this weekend.

[Pookie]

We hunted in Springfield yesterday over cut silage that had been top sewn with wheat. Between 3 of us, we killed probably 50 doves, but picked up 45. Even hunting with a dog, you still can't recover all of em.

There weren't any big waves of doves, but from 1:30 on, it was solid onesys and twosys. The wind howled all day like it was blowing a front in, but it never rained on us.

[jallen67]

I went Monday to some private land with my brother-in-law. I killed 7 (found 6) but brought home 45 breasts. We were out there with 10 guys and I'd say about 6 or 7 of them didn't have any interest in keeping them so I gladly took them off their hands and cleaned them. I would love to keep going out there every weekend but driving 2 1/2 hours to hunt every weekend just isn't worth it. I am looking at possibly going on a WMA this weekend but not sure which one to go to. It'd be fun to get together with some of yall if any of you have interest in going out this weekend to a WMA.

[Transplanted Sportsman]

I hit one of the twra public shoots in Bedford county on Haley rd near Wartrace and had a blast not too crowded, decent number of birds and just like you Jimmy most of the birds I shot at were getting out of dodge, dropped 13 picked 12, I will probably go to Bark camp barrens in Manchester one day this weekend, every time ive gone to this place has been a great hunt, good numbers of birds and like you said a lot less hunters after opening day!

[Pookie]

I hit one of the twra public shoots in Bedford county on Haley rd near Wartrace and had a blast not too crowded, decent number of birds and just like you Jimmy most of the birds I shot at were getting out of dodge, dropped 13 picked 12, I will probably go to Bark camp barrens in Manchester one day this weekend, every time ive gone to this place has been a great hunt, good numbers of birds and like you said a lot less hunters after opening day!

I heard it was a small war in Bedford Co, and they took birds out by the bucket fulls. Leaving Shelbyville on 82 headed towards Moore Co, there is a rock pile on the left with sunflowers planted. It is a private hunt, but damn, it is loaded with birds. I would pay good money just to shoot it once.

[jad2t]

Has anyone been to the WMA on Percy Priest this year or in the past or heard anything about the birds on opening day? On opening day they only allow a certain amount of hunters by drawing names. It's closed during the week, only open Saturdays and Sundays. Saturday looks like stormy weather so probably won't be too many hunters. My Father and I are most likely going to hunt it Sunday afternoon.

[jad2t]

I heard it was a small war in Bedford Co, and they took birds out by the bucket fulls. Leaving Shelbyville on 82 headed towards Moore Co, there is a rock pile on the left with sunflowers planted. It is a private hunt, but damn, it is loaded with birds. I would pay good money just to shoot it once.

I had intentions to try and get friendly with farmers who have vast fields of corn to see if I could dove hunt but I never got around to it. Maybe I'll try in time for the winter phase. I'd pay money for a private hunt but not as much as some are asking. I've seen several in the 100-200 dollar range and that's just crazy. Even if you get a limit of birds it's not worth that much money in my opinion. Evidently it's worth it to some people or the wouldn't charge that much.

[Transplanted Sportsman]

I heard it was a small war in Bedford Co, and they took birds out by the bucket fulls. Leaving Shelbyville on 82 headed towards Moore Co, there is a rock pile on the left with sunflowers planted. It is a private hunt, but damn, it is loaded with birds. I would pay good money just to shoot it once.

I know where u talking about, it is right at the edge of town by the river, really good looking spot, seen a bunch of turkeys there last week too

[Transplanted Sportsman]

Has anyone been to the WMA on Percy Priest this year or in the past or heard anything about the birds on opening day? On opening day they only allow a certain amount of hunters by drawing names. It's closed during the week, only open Saturdays and Sundays. Saturday looks like stormy weather so probably won't be too many hunters. My Father and I are most likely going to hunt it Sunday afternoon.

I wish I could help u but dont venture much towards that end, good luck on Sunday hunting with your father, I wish I could hunt with mine!

[jaystaler88]

How was that Beasley hunt last year? My dad and I went to that back in 2003 and it was a hot shoot, for sure. Does anyone know if they are doing one on the 1st or the first weekend? I have a hunt scheduled for the 1st of september, but I'd love to get in another one on Saturday or Sunday. Especially since after opening day you can hunt the morning flight!

[jaystaler88]

or how was any hunt, for that matter? Exploring all the options. Any WMA's in region 2 or middle/TN that tend to produce? Unfortunately, I've had bad luck each time with WMA/TWRA Leased dove hunts, the birds weren't there. I'm fine with paying for a hunt if it's reasonable/fairly legal and managed properly.

Thoughts?

Looking for a September 5th,6th, or 7th hunt

Thanks

[jad2t]

I'm still waiting on the TWRA to post the Region 2 field information...which is amazing to me that they are not posting yet given they probably started planting and managing these fields 3-4 months ago. They know where the fields are, I don't know why they're taking so long to post up the locations and dates we're allowed to hunt them.

I've had no luck on finding a pay hunt that isn't outrageously priced. The designated fields can get very crowded and if you're in a bad spot you could easily sit there all day and only get to shoot at a few birds. I'm planning to get to the field I hunt really early even though we can't shoot until noon so I can get a good spot. I'll nap and wake up when it's legal to shoot and hopefully have a good hunt.

Last year I went to the JPP field a few times after the opener and one time could have had a great afternoon if my gun wasn't jamming up, had to get it fixed after that!

[jaystaler88]

Anybody try any of the TWRA hunts or WMA hunts this year? How were they?

[GO-OKFISHIN]

Beasleys was on fire. 3 of us limited out. I had scouted it Saturday and Sunday and it paid off.

[XxthejuicexX]

Where is Beasleys and how much ?

[jad2t]

I had a disastrous opening day. I scouted, found birds, and they were all on the other side of the field come opening day. That same side had almost no action when I scouted. I had very few birds come my way, shot at about 13-14 long range birds and missed them all. Got to the field at 7am to get a good spot..what I thought would be a good spot. I blew a vacation day for this too.

I'm planning to go a few times this weekend and hopefully make up for the loss.

[jaystaler88]

Beasley Hunt is on Beasley Rd down in Chapel Hill. I went to it years ago and me and my dad always did well. I've been doing other hunts, but apparently they still know how to bring in the birds. It's legal from what I could tell. He charged 30$ back then. That may have changed though

[jad2t]

I need to look into that next season. After what I saw at the TWRA Percy Priest field Saturday, I may never hunt a public field again. I saw some genius shoot a bird on the ground, firing toward a row of corn, and not bother to holler toward the hunters to make sure nobody might have been directly behind that bird. The same genius later on walked out to flush a bird that landed. This dove barely cleared the row of corn, which is just a tad taller than me, and shot that bird. That type of idiocy is going to badly injure or kill someone during a dove hunt, it's only a matter of time. I'm definitely a supporter of the 2nd Amendment but some people are just too stupid to have guns and they're the ones that give us a bad name.

I made up for the opening day fail though. I have 13 doves in my fridge right now thanks to my Father carving out a few small fields on his land that he hunts. He said I can use them before deer season so he planted sunflowers and millet. I was able to jump shoot several, quail hunting style, as well as sit and see singles and doubles come over the trees and pick them off. Nice and peaceful, no morons, and I have another shot this weekend to get more if I don't have to work.

[SAMBOLIE]

I need to look into that next season. After what I saw at the TWRA Percy Priest field Saturday, I may never hunt a public field again. I saw some genius shoot a bird on the ground, firing toward a row of corn, and not bother to holler toward the hunters to make sure nobody might have been directly behind that bird. The same genius later on walked out to flush a bird that landed. This dove barely cleared the row of corn, which is just a tad taller than me, and shot that bird. That type of idiocy is going to badly injure or kill someone during a dove hunt, it's only a matter of time. I'm definitely a supporter of the 2nd Amendment but some people are just too stupid to have guns and they're the ones that give us a bad name.

I made up for the opening day fail though. I have 13 doves in my fridge right now thanks to my Father carving out a few small fields on his land that he hunts. He said I can use them before deer season so he planted sunflowers and millet. I was able to jump shoot several, quail hunting style, as well as sit and see singles and doubles come over the trees and pick them off. Nice and peaceful, no morons, and I have another shot this weekend to get more if I don't have to work.

But, I thought said you were there.:D

[Pookie]

I may never hunt a public field again.

Wising up!