Hoping to hunt dove and quail in so cal

[Tyler94]

Hello all,

I'm new to hunting, and was hoping some people could give me some tips and advice. I know that the quail opener is September 1st and so hopefully I can get out and scout before then and take in as much knowledge as I can. I live in LA county near the border of the Angeles and San bernadino national forests. Can anyone point me to some current shooting maps for either of those forests or the high desert? I figured that might give me a good starting point. And I'll be hunting without a dog, so that probably puts me at a disadvantage. Do I just walk around and try to flush them out of cover? And how does calling come into play? Also, what would be the best gauge shotgun, 12 or 20? I appreciate all the help, thank you

 

[herbie10]

You can go to Salton sea for doves. DFG has dove fields open for dove hunting. Go on DFG websit you can find the map of those fields. You don't need dog for dove, find a fly way and set up near that. use tree line to hide youself, you will do fine. Or you can drive a couple hours more to the Yuma and you will be really happy.
Happy hunting.

 

[solus]

For a new guy I would never send them to the Salton Sea. Its a war zone out there and I wouldnt wish that on anybody. Get a blm map and go out in the desert there is plenty of dove out there and you more than likely wont get shot. Good Luck in September

 

[700x4me]

Tyler,
Quail opener is not Sept. 1st. Dove opens Sept 1st & Quail is usually the third Sat. in Oct. if I remember right. You will want to get a hunting regulation booklet or go on-line to check to be sure.

 

[redneck_trevor20]

blyth is a good place to go its loaded with dove and after your done with dove find a Chanel and catch some flatheads

 

[Bubblehide]

opcorn:opcorn:

 

[FTTPOW]

Well guys, this is not the place for that. Blanketing everyone together is just as wrong as a personal attack and name-calling. Neither can be tolerated here. Take it elsewhere.

 

[dblsmk]

Tyler, as already mentioned, dove is Sept. 1, quail in Oct. Don't be confused by the regulations, the DFW (wardens) lack a sense of humor on that point of law. The I.V. or Blythe area have good concentrations of both dove and hunters. I won't shoot in tight with a crowd, getting hit really stings, but will shoot the edges of the seemingly hot spots where it's a bit easier to enjoy myself. You won't need a dog for dove, just watch where your bird falls and mark the spot well. Shotgun gauge is up to you either will knock them down, I shoot both a 12 and 20 or a muzzle loader 20, it depends on what I have the most shells for the cartridge guns. Loose the call, When it's most effective is during their breeding season, but if you're set on using one, knock your socks off. Whether you hunt the farm lands or the high deserts closer to home, roost, feed, water and a number of birds working them is all you need. Don't forget, twice as many shells as you think you need. Really don't forget some sort of good eye protection, especially around a crowd. Good Hunting

 

[8steeltown]

All good pointers by dblsmk. Get some good boots with ankle support and some comfortable hunting pants. I stay away from the "upland pants" as the briars out here still poke through them pretty easily (the one's I've tried anyway). If you ARE going to use a call, Primos has a pretty cheap valley quail locator call that works for me nearly every time. chi CAH go! I'm my own hunting dog as well. The speed changes between dove and quail is pretty significant so, as dblsmk said, bring twice as much ammo as you think you'll need. Better for too much than not enough. I use a 12g Remi 870. Buena suerte.

 

[dblsmk]

In my post above, lose the call referred to dove hunting. I use one for quail all the time, especially because I also am my own dog.

All good pointers by dblsmk. Get some good boots with ankle support and some comfortable hunting pants. I stay away from the "upland pants" as the briars out here still poke through them pretty easily (the one's I've tried anyway). If you ARE going to use a call, Primos has a pretty cheap valley quail locator call that works for me nearly every time. chi CAH go! I'm my own hunting dog as well. The speed changes between dove and quail is pretty significant so, as dblsmk said, bring twice as much ammo as you think you'll need. Better for too much than not enough. I use a 12g Remi 870. Buena suerte.