Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

Get ready, dove season opens Sept. 4 at noon Blam. Blam. KaPow! The roar of many shotguns echoed across the recently harvested cornfield. Barely visible against the horizon, i could set* a pair of doves darting and diving through a barrage of lead being thrown skyward by what appeared to be an army of hunters. It sounded as if there were a war going on. I mentally prepared myself for the com ing action as the birds moved mv way. Hallway across the field, one of the doves disap peared. obviously “one in the bag' for a lucky shooter, but the other one continued my way. Trying not to reveal my location in the low bush es, I slid off my stool and got down as low as possible, confident that I was now invisible to the "unsuspect ing and helpless" dove. As the bird approached at a slight angle, he used the tailwind to his full advan tage and seemed to gain speed. As 1 eased up just a few inches above the bushes to get a shot, the dove spot ted me and the duel was on. The first sight of my Rem ington 1100 12-gauge wob bled around the bird as 1 unloaded my first round with no visible effect. I thought to myself surely the dove was mortally wounded and would fall any second now. Just for insurance. 1 decided to unleash the arse nal at my disposal and tired my second and third rounds as the dove dipped down toward the ground. Instead of dropping as lie was supposed to, the dove cupped his wings and sailed right over my head and to the freedom beyond. Needless to say. the robust manner in which that bird flew off into the sunset shook my confi dence. I mumbled derogato ry comments under my breath. My less-than thoughtful hunting rompaiv ion (read former friend) couldn't pass up the oppor tunity to kind me. "Missed another one. huh? Maybe you need a cannon!" he said. Thinking quickly under duress, I responded, “Well that bird’s flying dead and he just doesn’t know it." try ing to salvage what little was left of my ego. Before I could Worry about it any more, another bird appeared from nowhere right over my head. I instinc tively raised my gun and fired. The dove collapsed and fell to the ground nearly at my feet. I thankfully placed the bird in my game bag and savored the moment. Scenes like this one will be repeated many times this fall as dove hunters take to the fields beginhing Sept. 4 at noon. Although the weather will likely be hot and the sun bright, many hunters will be in the field at noon that day. knowing the birds won't show up until 3:30 p.m. or so. They aren’t there early to get a tan. They are watching Baked fresh daily!! : 1040 Macon Road Acro*« from Stanley Furniture 988-0942 St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church Invites you to the Dufy Act el Worship Eucharist 9:45 a.m.each Sun -1207 Macon Road, Pony 987-2190 the few dove which straggle in during the midday to see if they can establish a flight pattern lor the birds. With this, they can place their stands in the most produc tive area before the crowd arrives. Whethci the shooting field is large or small, the birds will quickly established a preferred route to come and go from their feeding area. This (lyway can be at the edge of the woods, a fence line, a gully or even a single tree. The doves will fly along these objects. I guess because they offer cover, and possibly a sense ol security. They'll often land in a tree, especially a dead one, to check out a field before they decide to fly in. A lone tree on the edge of a field is usu ally a good bet for a stand. If the feeding field is near a small watering hole so much the belter because the dove can meet most ol their needs in a small area. Even if the watering hole is in the middle ol nowhere, it’ll s>till attract birds as long as the dove can land on a clean bank and walk to the edge of the water. Watering holes are my favorite places to shoot because they’re often scat tered far and wide. When you locate one. chances are you'll have it all to yourself because these spots are usually overlooked by tin average hunter. Since the watering hole is Farmers Furniture’s 24 - Hour Sale It is an event so BIG, we had to limit it to only 24 hours! 3 BIG DAYS! No Down Payment!* Just Say Charge It!* With approved credit Terms & prices do not apply to prior purchases All items in limited quantity & subject to prior sale Classifieds - the BIG bargain in advertising - Call 987-1823 John Trussed Home Journal Outdoors usually small, the birds "home" right to you and if you've placed your stand correctly, your shots will be of the incoming, high-per eentage variety which are easier to connect on. A watering spot is also a very good location to use your dove decoys. At one time, I was skepti cal of dove decoys, but I've learned that they can be deadly when used properly. Around a water hole, place them in a bare tree as high oil the ground as possible. If a dead tree is not located close by. go find a dead sapling and stick it in the ground a few feet away from the water. Alter you place your decoys in the tree, you'll find the dove will be drawn to it like magnets. In a shexiting field, the decoys can be placed on a fence line or placed in a group out on the ground within gun range. The dove have a gregarious nature and when they see the decoys, they assume every thing is all right for them to drop in. You. of course, have other Savings up to 1/2 Off (si| f ■ • 'jf' plans and attempt to bag a few as they approach. What equipment will you need to take part in a dove shot? You can be as simple or as complicated as you want, but there are some things you should consider. A shotgun is essential, of course, and the gauge is the shooter’s choice. Most hunters opt for a 12- gauge because it is the largest practical size you can buy and is the most versatile when it comes to shooting a wide range of game. You don't see many 16- gauge guns anymore because it has been over BLAM. KAPOW Tony McCrary shows of doves. The day is done and it's been a his shooting style after collecting a limit good one. Resin $099 Chair bIUh W Why Wait for that Livingroom, Bedroom, or Diningroom you’ve been saving for when you can CHARGE IT* today? Easy Monthly Payments to fit you!* CLASSIFIED DEADLINE 10 AM. MONDAY shadowed by the 12- and 20-gauge guns. The 20- gauge is useful because it doesn't kick quite as much as the 12-gauge. It is often preferred by women and young shcxjters, or hunters with small body frames. The .4 10 gauge shotgun is fine s a first gun for a youngster because it is usu ally equipped with a safety swatch. The light weight of the gun makes it conducive for young shooters to learn the basics of safe gun han dling. The .410 is a small bore and at full choke, this gun is rough on results. Move your WXlfm • tf‘"ltoTt ' Ha wBH iHmSr SSflgra H 1 K m M m m * mm HPp Farmers Furniture Appliances •Electronics •Bedding 1010 Main St., Perry» 987-3058 Wed., Aug. 2S, 1999, Houston Home Journal young shooter to a 20 gauge pump as soon as possible. Get one wnth a youth style stock which is short ei and will fit better. Additional equipment you might need includes a dove stool with a built in < noln a wade brim hat, sunglasses, camo clothes and plentv of non-alcoholic drink-- and snacks. There's nothing like snacking on some boiled peanuts, sipping a Coke and listening to your laconic football game while you're relaxing at a dove shoot Good hunting. Home Journal Photo by Jo tin Itusscll Don’t Miss I Storewide Sy Savings! Page 7A