What You Need on An Arkansas Dove Hunting Weekend

by Moo

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Absolutely Required:
A team attitude! Dove hunting is really a team sport,
so come ready to root for your field pals.
A commitment to safety. Dove hunting is very dangerous due
to LOTS of nearby hunters and low-flying birds.

Important Terms:
"LOW BIRD!" for when the birds fly below safe-to-shoot level
"JOHNNY!!! OVER YOU!!" Know your field pals' locations and names
so you can warn them when birds fly over them from behind.
Dove hunting is like a giant pin-ball machine that works
best when everyone helps bounce the birds around the field.

food:
See "What You Need On A Camping Trip" by DLZ, Jr.
especially,
cooler
ice - get it cheap from those new drive-thru ice stations
lots of bottled water in the cooler
a few Snickers, almonds or granola bars for use during hunt

gear:
FIELD STOOL
field bag - needs room for gun, camera, water bottles, shells
small binoculars
flashlight
dang bug repellant
extra $$$
sleeping bag
shaving kit, sinus stuff, ibuprofen, prescriptions, etc
pocket knives
mobile phone
multi-tool

clothes:
broad-brimmed hat, straw preferred
lots of bandannas, preferably in good hunting colors
thin, wicking socks
note: see Target's Merona "advanced micro technology" socks
ankle or higher boots
comfy shoes for non-field use (birk clogs, etc)
vest with pockets for a few reloading shells
long pants, cool as possible
shorts
several shirts

guns:
dove license!
ear plugs
magazine plugs
primary gun with case
secondary gun with case
gun oil, cleaning supplies
dove shells. twice as many boxes as you "should" need
(save the rest for blackbirds, etc)

camera:
camera
travel case
extra memory cards or film(what's that?!)
extra camera battery(ies), charged
battery charger
lens cleaning cloth
in case you're serious:
backup camera
field case
bag-size tripod. See Quantaray QSX-Digi Pro 100 Compact at Wolf, etc.
quick-release tripod mount
extra camera filter
Mac Laptop with appropriate accessories
card reader