Doves scarce in central Minnesota

LITTLE FALLS, MINN. - A few days before the Sept. 1 mourning dove hunting opener, Rolf Moen of Nisswa and I spent a morning scouting for a hunting location here.

We saw relatively few doves, and it was obvious to us many of the local birds had departed for points south, despite the warm weather. A lack of harvested small grain fields was perhaps one reason we saw few doves. We also noticed some of the doves' favorite weed seeds, such as Johnson grass and foxtail, had yet to mature and drop to the ground, the result, perhaps, of the late spring.

However, we did find a few doves, and by midmorning on opening day we had bagged a dozen birds. And, of course, we missed more than a few of the speedy birds, which, because of a gusty south wind, were even tougher to hit than usual.

Rolf's pudelpointer, Annie, and my Deutsch Drahthaar, Axel, were along for retrieving duties, and both dogs performed well despite the heat.