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Where can I get some training around Houston on bird hunting with shotgun? I am really new to this.

grab an old nintendo and put duck hunt in......... taught me everything I know..

I do have a Wii. does that work?

i have duckhunt for the wii, it helps. I go to american shooting center on westheimer PKWY they have a really nice range and they hold classes, Skeet, trap and rifle, shotgun, and pistol. I go to Houston to visit Wifes family and I go the to shoot skeet everytime. Makes the trip worth it.

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Texas City also has an excelent skeet range, and at $6/round (clays included), it's a great deal. It's likely closed due to Ike right now, but definitely a place to look at. Also, the skeet ranges are right on the water, and it's a beatiful place to shoot.

How we do it,

Grab a buddy a bb gun, and 2 paper (I mean heavy paper) plates. Glue them face to face (so the bottoms are out), put a big dot in the center

Have buddy stand to the side and toss out and up (not Frisbee style) follow with bb gun, lead and shoot. When you are consistent move to a salad plate, when that is 100% move to jar lid, when that is in check move to washer with whole taped up, when that is good move to coin (for the record I stopped at washers, by my grandfather can smack a quarter)

Once you have that “feel” for the swing down go shoot some skeet. I think it’s best to try it in a filed with a buddy throwing straight out… then move up to the crossing shots


You got to lead it like you would throwing a foot ball to a man on the run, and you got to follow through like you swing a bat.

How do you duck-tape the WII remote to your shotgun and wire the trigger??? Need some help here. I cannot figure this out.

Stupid wrote:How do you duck-tape the WII remote to your shotgun and wire the trigger??? Need some help here. I cannot figure this out.

That has got to violate some gun safety law! I just can't think which. Reminds me of the people who were playing the interactive games, like baseball with the Wii. Instead of throwing an imaginary pitch, they threw the remote into their expensive TV. Please don't shoot your TV!

Here's How (the Big Boy Method):


1. Find a day lease for dove hunting, and local accomodations for a couple of nights

2. Find a gun that fits (20, 16 or 12 ga.)

3. Buy at least 2 cases of shells

4. Take all ingredients and be in the dove field before sunrise (oh, try to camo to match the field)

5. Shoot at doves until they fall...remember, you did bring 500 shells for the trip

6. Repeat at 3:00 p.m. until sundown


One item that may be overlooked more than anything, and can be very costly, is bird identification. Be darned sure you know what a dove looks like...white wing, mourning dove, ringneck, rock dove...... don't shoot the mockingbirds, woodpeckers, yellowhammers....

The best learning experience is to go with someone that knows the sport and just do it!


surv

mr surveyor wrote: The best learning experience is to go with someone that knows the sport and just do it!

surv

Yep. I went on my first dove hunt yesterday evening with a friend. I downed a few birds, but not nearly as many as my friend did. I learned that doves don't fly nearly as fast as clay pigeons. I had to break myself of my habit of the large clay pigeon lead I had become accustomed to and put my aim much closer to the bird. I also found a good "sweet spot" for getting the birds on that lease - between the pond where they like to drink and the fence and phone lines where they like to sit. I also learned to transition from 7 1/2 shot to 6 shot as the hunt went on, as the birds became more wary and tended to fly with a wider berth to avoid getting shot when flushed (6 shot is bigger, and therefore will be more accurate at longer distances).

Also, as suggested above, get plenty of ammo. We didn't start our hunt until about an hour before sundown, and I went through around 25 shells (just under a box of #7-1/2, plus a few #6). Had I gotten there mid-afternoon, I'm certain I could have gone through 4 or 5 boxes and bagged a bunch of birds. Another tip: make sure you know where your bird dropped if you're in a grassy area. It took me quite a bit of searching before I found 2 of my birds that dropped in tallish grass, and there was one I never found at all. The two I found after looking both attempted to hide in holes in dried mud left behind by cow hooves (which were plentiful on this lease).

Now I'm looking up recipes so I can make some tasty dove breasts!

One tip for "markers" for those downed birds is to take a 1-2" washer and tie a streamer of pink or orange survey ribbon to it. Before you move your feet (after you've shot your 3 shots), toss a marker washer in the direction of the downed bird. Just make sure you can return to your shooting position multiple times if necessary to walk the line again.

As for recipe, my bunch cooks our "autumn reward" in January, and in the spring. We always have enough for two "gatherings". Here's our favorite for dove breasts:

1. slice enough jalapeno peppers into 1/4-1/2 inch strips to have at least one per dove breast

2. Have one or two block of cream cheese available (depending on number of birds)

3. Have enough bacon on hand to wrap each bird...most times one slice can be cut to cover two birds

4. (Optional) mix a rub with whatever you like... I like to use coarse brown sugar with lots of cayenne pepper, black pepper, a bit of salt, and a dash of garlic and onion powder

Take the washed dove breasts and place a glop (that's an official redneck kitchen term) of cream cheese in the breast cavity and a slice of jalapeno pepper. Then wrap the bacon strip around the stuffed breast and secure with a toothpick. Next, add the rub mix to the wrapped breast and place on grill.

This will get messy if you use a gas grill, and time consuming to turn the birds, so here's another redneck tip:

Get a cheap round charcoal grill, and try to find an additional grill top to match. Place 40-50 birds (or whatever you can) onto the grill top while on a table...NOT on the heat, then take your second grill top and turn in "handles down" on the birds. Take some soft wire and wire the two grill tops together. Place on nice hot charcoal fire with a bit of (your choice) hickory, pecan, mesquite, and turn occassionally. Two guys with gloves can easily turn the whole mess of birds with little effort.

Add your favorite beverage and serve!


surv