Thank baby Jesus that Dove Season has finally arrived and the Whitewings were flying great this afternoon.  Normally, I would be spending the early dove season in the Rio Grande Valley, but had to sacrifice this years pilgramage to Harligen so I could stay close to home for my son's baseball practice.  What bothered me the most was the fact that we have gone almost an entire summer without no rain and the dove hunitng was going to be great because of this.  Then right before the opening weekend of dove hunting we get three days straight of rain.  I had originally planned to go down to the Chapparal Wildlife Management area for some dove hunting, but quickly changed my plans when all of my hunting guest cancelled.  I settled for a backup hunt outside of Selma just east of I 35.  I have to sadly report that me and my son only fired off one shot a piece and came home with an empty bird bag.  To make matters worse the heavy down pour of rain hit us right during prime time when the birds looked like they were going to get flying.

     Being the savy dove hunter that I am, me and my son quickly put the worst dove hunt ever behind us and planned another outing for the next day.  Our choice to hunt a small patch of dove heaven just inside loop 1604 south of San Antonio proved to be a smart one.  The property had been well groomed and prepared for the upcoming dove season.  The tall grass was mowed and there were several great areas to ambush high flying whitewings.  Our hunting party increased to include me, my brother in law, my father in law and my son.  The only piece of the puzzle missing was my father who had been working graveyards at work and could not make the trip down to San Antonio for opening weekend. 

     The afternoon did not take long to heat up as sinlges, doubles and then good flocks of whiteiwngs began to make their flights over us.  Shotgun blast rang out all around us and everyonne had plenty of birds to shoot at.  We were fortunate enough to arrive early and secured a great location that would allow numerous flocks of doves to fly right over us in shotgun range.  Around 5pm the flood gates opened up with good size of whitewings flying in groups of up to thiry birds coming right at us like little f-16 jets.  I quickly dispersed four boxes of expensive Remington shells and was thankful that I brought plenty of amo. 

     The best part of the hunt was spending quality time with close family members and introducing my father in law to a sport that we love so much.  It was truly a memorable afternoon with great action lasting at least two hours of steady flights of birds.  My ten year old son had plenty of opportunity to practice his shotgunning skills and enjoyed the whitewing action.  it felt good to make up for the lackluster day we had hunting previously and end Labor Day weekend with a bang.  We could not believe the action that unfolded upon our eyes.  Only one dove taken turned out to be a morning dove and all the others pure 100% San Antonio whitewings.  I am thankful that I now live in a great city that has excellent dove hunting. 

     In conclusion, Labor Day Weekend started out being a very forgetable event on Saturday only to end with a tremendous bang on Sunday.  Limits of whitewings did not have to be taken in order for this great afternoon to be burned in our memory books.  Rather it was the opportunity to hunt as a family that impressed me the most.  The chance for my son to enjoy a quality afternoon with his uncle and grandpa doing something he realy enjoys and appreciates.  I am truly blessed to have such caring family members that respect what I do as a hobby and make an effort to get out there and enjoy the great outdoors.  I hope that you openning weeekend hunting was a memorable and enjoyable as ours was!!!

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