Best AZ dove hunting?

Last week I Picked up my hunting license and dove stamp to head out with my friend to go hunt some dove. He had already been with his dad and told me I would love it. which I did and am thinking of picking up my own shotgun now. probably an 870 express. But any ways I had a Blast even though there weren't many doves to be found, between the two of us we only got five. we were out in maricopa in the morning. And we are hoping to go again so I was just wondering if you guys knew any good spots or have any advice,tips, or what have you.

 

dove season is different in south az? I thought it ended up here already except for one type of bird.

 

I use to hunt out pass Surprise before I go home off Patton road. A lot of dove in the morning and evening.

 

Other than the standard Dove hunting techniques (spotting of flyways) I have heard from some of my Tonto Forest/ Lake Patrol buddies that there are good spots north of Bumble Bee (north of Phx) and Near Browns peak and the old cattle water holes near 4 peaks/ Rooslevelt Lake.

That being said I don't really know the Maricopa hunting areas but to better the odds I like to go in December when Dove, Quail and Rabbit all overlap. So if one doesn't pan out others will. I really like the 4 peaks area it can be very productive but Quail and Dove love to hide in the Cholla and run in the middle to die. The little bastards.

 

I haven't gone but some of my co-workers go out west of Bar K Bar ranch near morristown and have limited for the last 3 years on Dove.

 

I normally go in the Casa Grande area, but Maricopa is good also. If we could hunt at 202 santan and about Gilbert rd near that dairy we would all hit limit in about 10 minutes.

Also, not to be a jerk...but it sounds like you might have gone out of season. The first season is 9/1-9/15 and second season starts again Oct 1st along with quail.

 

thats what i thought. There is one type of dove still in season now i think.

 

Bar K Bar is great. Too bad where we use to go as kid out in Harqua valley is a bird sancuary? The Hasyempa in the morning is great too. You will never see anyone else out there. It's great. Just watch the rattlers.

Spelling of these places are off. Sorry.

 

Now I'm really missing that place.

 

Most people won't tell you their real secret spots.....


I am one of those people

 

I don't live there anymore and anyways those part time yuppies are to lazy to drive that far into the desert. It was only 13 miles to the river bed. They usally park off 60 and walk from there. And it's a big desert.

 

PM me details?

 

Damn you guys were right I just checked with AZ game and fish 2010-2011
Regulations http://www.azgfd.gov/h_f/hunting_rules.shtml and we went out 2 days late... next time ill make sure we are in the time limit. anyways thanks for the tips and I am also open to check out spots north of here not just south.

Edit: Any Eurasian Collared Doves are the one still in season