My Favorite Day of the Year… Dove Season

There’s a certain electricity in the air when September rolls around. The fields are golden, the mornings are a little cooler, and shotguns start finding their way out of safes and cases. For me, that can only mean one thing — dove season.

It’s my favorite day of the year, hands down.

There’s nothing quite like watching the horizon turn from gray to pink while you’re sitting on the edge of a sunflower field, thermos steaming beside you. You can hear the soft coo of mourning doves before you see them, and then suddenly — a flash of wings, a quick shadow, and the season is officially underway.

Dove hunting is simple, but that’s what makes it beautiful. It’s not about trophies or long-range precision; it’s about fast shooting, good company, and plenty of laughs when somebody misses an easy bird (and they always do).

The first shots of the morning echo across the field, and for a few hours, life slows down. You forget about work, traffic, and the rest of the world. It’s just you, your buddies, maybe a dog or two, and those darting gray missiles that always seem one step ahead.

When the barrels cool and the sun climbs high, the real tradition begins — gathering under a shade tree or tailgate, cleaning birds, sharing stories, and planning the next hunt. There’s always someone bragging about their perfect shot, and someone else swearing their shells must’ve been defective.

That’s the heart of dove season for me. It’s community. It’s the start of fall. It’s a reminder of how lucky we are to enjoy days like these in the great outdoors.

So here’s to early mornings, fast wings, and the smell of burnt powder — to friendships forged in the field, and to the doves that keep us honest.

Dove season isn’t just another day on the calendar.It’s the best day of the year.