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Wednesday, September 1, 2010


Dove Season

I am posting this one again today because it's a national holiday. Well, not really!


September 1st around here in Texas is almost considered a State holiday. It's the first day of dove hunting season! All the hunters get up before daylight, dress from head to toe in camo, and head to the coffee shops. Of course, they have been preparing weeks in advance for this morning. They have been practicing their shooting, cleaning their guns, buying extra shells, and making sure they have just the right piece of land staked out where the most birds have been seen prior to this morning.

My dad always looked forward to this day. He had a host of local friends as well as some "city" ones that would come out to the farm for the day. Everyone wanted to go out with him for two reasons. They knew he would know where the birds were (he had a great shot and always got his limit several times). AND they knew they would get to each lunch at our house. Mom was known to be a great cook and that meant a homecooked meal for them! Even if they didn't have much luck, they were winners with or without "game."

14 comments:

  1. We have tons of them around here but they can't hunt them. Sounds like hunting time around here in the fall for deer. The guys get pretty obsessed about it.

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  2. We have a holida around here too. It's the first day of snagging season. You use huge fishing poles, like they use for deep sea fishing and drag your line along the bottom of the river to snag spoonbill fish.
    Season starts at midnight and the boats are lined up for hour before.
    Happy Hunting guys, from a wife that understands.

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  3. Brings back memories. When we lived in Texas guns were no big deal, every family had some around. Go forward decades, Hubby's guns stay locked in the gun safe and I never see them. I've got to ask him why.....I wonder if he misses that hobby.

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  4. That is so funny that your post is about the first day of dove season. When I was a kid here in California it was a national holiday. :) My Dad and my brothers would get up so early and I was thinking about it this morning. All around our house would be the sounds of shotguns.
    Your blogs are very nice and thank you for visiting mine and sharing your sweet comment.
    Have a great day of dove season. :)

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  5. You would not believe the hoopla that went on here a couple of years ago when they enacted dove hunting season. There were protesters on street corners and the editor's column was full of pros and cons.

    The outcome is that it was finally enacted but not one person we know hunts them. I love having them on our property...and the mournful little cooing sounds they make. I, personally, would have a hard time eating them because I would be thinking about what beautiful, harmless litte things they are....but that's just me.

    Your Dove season is our Deer Season and kids can legally stay home from school for the first day outing. They always pray for a good snow for tracking and off they go...long before sunrise to stake out their spot. I have a hard time eating them too! lol

    Matter of fact, now that I'm thinking about it maybe I should try to become a vegetarian...nah....never mind...I like chicken too much....Pooooor chickens!! Diana

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  6. oooh! they are just too pretty to hunt Diana lol!! I have never heard of people eating doves before... but a homecooked dinner made by your mum does sound wonderful, I know you Texan ladies are great cooks!! ;)!!
    Hope you are having a great week Diana!
    Hugs!
    Jen xo

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  7. Yep, it's that time. Hubby is excited and already marking off weekends on the calendar for his trips to the hunting lease.

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  8. Yeppers, Diana - 'round here, too. My guys usually go out to West Texas. They've been cleanin' their guns and equipment, buying shells, all the same stuff. It's so dang hot they'll hunt early and late, and eat and sleep the rest of the day. They've been on a lease with several church friends, and even if they don't see a dove, they have a blast cooking out and visiting! Of course, moms, wives & daughters have a blast when they're gone, too!

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  9. AMen and amen on the holiday thing!!!! LOVE IT!!

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  10. I love this because I grew up with a Dad that is a hunter...and I so remember when hunting season started. My husband isn't a hunter, but I still remember...and I know a dove, because my Dad taught me how to shoot....now that has been so time ago!!!

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  11. I remember going to "dove dinners" when I was growing up. My dad and his buddies at church would go hunting. They fried the dove, smothered them in gravy, and served them with grits and biscuits! It was fine! It has probably been 45 years since I tasted dove. No real hunters in our family now. Sure would enjoy that meal again... it would bring back some good memories.

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  12. Hi! Diana, those doves are so pretty on that fence. I just don't like for anyone to kill anything. But here in East Texas it is getting geared up for Deer Hunting!, and litterly you could set on my back porch and get one. but when my boys were young hubby always took them. And now my boys takes their boys, and even Hannah got to go last yr., she loved it! I guess its just in a males blood! Have a Happy Thursday:)

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  13. Yep!! It's a pretty special day in my family too!! Today's my anniversary and when my hubby and I set our wedding date he was thrilled that it was the first day of dove hunting! TOO funny!! I wonder if it's just a Texas thing??

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  14. I guess it is true you learn something new everyday, as I had no clue about Dove season. I do love the photo. I hope you all have happy hunting!

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