For years, B & W Cattle Company has held an annual dove hunt the first week of September when dove season opens up. This year the hunt was held on Saturday, Sept. 6th instead of Labor Day and there were a record number of doves in the area. We had over 30 hunters arrive ready to shoot and it didn’t take too long for most good shots to get their limit. Everyone said the doves had been abundant across the area at other hunts they had attended.

 

We started working on our dove fields this spring by planting sunflowers and millet, favorite food for doves. Dead trees have been left standing in and around the fields where the doves like to come and roost. A pond in each field provides water and gravel along our farm road gives them grit for their diet.

 

As the sunflowers finished blooming and began to go to seed, the goldfinches became mainstays, growing to probably a flock of a hundred. They have been like a cheerful canary chorus flitting around the farm. The wild turkeys have been keeping regular hours in the field too, coming for a morning and afternoon snack. We even caught quail feeding with the doves and captured a picture of one resting on a fence at the gate. In mid and late-August we disced up several sections of the field, leaving strips for the quail to hide in from the hawks. The doves are ground feeders so having the sunflowers and millet knocked on the ground lets them reach it. They especially love fresh dirt. The day before the hunt we disced up most of the fields for more fresh dirt and so hunters would be able to find their fallen birds. This combination proved to be a winner and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

 

Three C-130 airplanes flew over the fields during the afternoon, flying really low. “Coming Over” took on new meaning. It was a neat sight to see.

 

Following the hunt, we had a buffet dinner featuring meats smoked by Danny Warren, farm-grown vegetables and delicious desserts made by Carol Bowie and some side items from Wally Dudiak. You just can’t beat home-grown cream corn, fresh butter beans, sliced tomatoes and Carol’s famous sour cream potatoes! Those men eat it up!