Dove Lease?

[Milkjug]

Hey guys, trying to get into the hunting thing more. Kind of hard since my family never hunted. I'm thinking of trying to buy a dove lease for this summer. Found a guy leasing out some land SW of Houston.

He says there are 2.4K acres in 4 different towns in the same area. The fields are milo, corn, and goatweed pastures.

Price is $200 and we are allowed to bring guests after opening weekend.

Is this a good deal? What should I look for when I check the place out? What questions should I ask?

[Unclehandy]

What is the name of the hunt club? I am familiar with a few around here.

[Milkjug]

Not sure, I haven't called them yet

[Unclehandy]

200 sounds a little steep. Usually its around 100-150. But check out the fields you should see some dove.

[Unclehandy]

Although I would pay 200 to be on a good lease, I have been on some that produced almost nothing

[bountyhunter]

When dove leases went up past $75 a year, I quit hunting dove. With that said, not sure what a good price would be these days. Like the good Uncle said, I'd go check it out first hand, there should be a lot of dove there now. If there not, then I'd look for another place.

[WestEndAngler]

You need to ask how many spots are available... How many hunters do you have signed up to date...

How do you access each field... Do I need 4X4 or an ATV? or are the roads stabilized and not just dirt.

How did you all do last year? # of birds killed? How many hunters? Do the math after you leave...

I'd start there I'm sure others have more suggestions on what to ask.

[Milkjug]

Sounds about right guys. I also want to see exactly where they are so I can scope it out with google maps to look for water nearby and the general lay-out.

$200 does seem like a lot for a a handful of tiny sub-teal sized birds but I think it would be a great way to relax, get out there with a buddy, do some shooting and get dinner.

[Unclehandy]

I think it would be a great way to relax, get out there with a buddy, do some shooting and get dinner.

I agree, its nice to have a get away spot where you can shoot guns, run dogs and hang out close to houston!

[Gilbert]

dang.....$200 for a dove lease? :eek: It better be loaded with all types of doves and 10 min drive tops.

[Milkjug]

Hmm... where would I go to see other options?

[Unclehandy]

look on craigslist, the chronicle, greensheet, goose leases that may allow dove hunting but dont advertise. They are not super easy to come by. I was on one for the past few seasons, but they kept losing land plots and the price kept going up.

[Gilbert]

Hmm... where would I go to see other options?




Look on the TPWD site for free places to hunt. Hell, find some rice fields and find the owner and ask if you can dove hunt it.

[Unclehandy]

Look on the TPWD site for free places to hunt. Hell, find some rice fields and find the owner and ask if you can dove hunt it.

I've hunted lots of those free places. I am a believer in "You get what you pay for"

[Gilbert]

I've hunted lots of those free places. I am a believer in "You get what you pay for"




They aren't all bad.

[Gilbert]

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/lands/dove_hunting_areas/

[45 ACP]

Just come by my house anytime and you can hunt for free. I just sit on my back porch next to the cooler full of beer and shoot them off the power lines. Only bad thing is its in city limits............:D

[Milkjug]

That's OK, I've been meaning to get an accurate airgun for urban hunting in Galveston. Those eurasian collared doves are fat and bold. Need to put a fear of man in them! Then there's the pond that's always chock-full of ducks at the intersection of Harborside and the Pelican Island bridge....:D

[Gilbert]

Just come by my house anytime and you can hunt for free. I just sit on my back porch next to the cooler full of beer and shoot them off the power lines. Only bad thing is its in city limits............:D




I have done the same......but I am not in the city limits. :D

[WestEndAngler]

Then there's the pond that's always chock-full of ducks at the intersection of Harborside and the Pelican Island bridge....:D

I know where your talking about! Those ducks "glow" at night :rofl:

[45 ACP]

That's OK, I've been meaning to get an accurate airgun for urban hunting in Galveston.

Thats what I shoot them with, my Benjamin, open sights. Forgot to mention that. :D

Actually got a limit one day. Them sum beetches were bacon wrapped and on the grill before Momma even knew what the hell was going on. :rofl:

[Unclehandy]

which one do you have the .20, .22, or .177? I have the .22 benjamin and love it for shooting grackles!

[Milkjug]

Anyone have a link for these guns?

[45 ACP]

Its a .22 I love mine too.

[Unclehandy]

Anyone have a link for these guns?

http://www.airgundepot.com/benjamin-air-rifles.html

Oshman's used to carry them as well. Haven't been there in years so I'm not sure if they still do. :gunner:

[45 ACP]

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0013559210385a.shtml

There are more powerful air guns out there. I just like this one cause it is just like the one I had as a kid, the one that got broken one of the many times I wrecked the ATV. :)

[Milkjug]

Is .177 enough? Are .22 cal pellets easy to find?

[Unclehandy]

the .177 doesnt have as much knockdown power. .22 pellets are readily available. Walmart, academy, bass pro, oshmans they should all have them in stock. I would go with the .22 for sure.

[Milkjug]

Sweet nectar, I think this will be my next toy...

http://www.airgundepot.com/392.html

Those collared doves better watch themselves :hunter2:

[Milkjug]

Oh yeah, does it have a rail to add scope rings? I know ya'll are awesome but I suck with open sights :D

[45 ACP]

Nah dont think you can put a scope on it. Strictly old school. You can do it man!! :D

[majek_maniac]

Better to learn the fundamentals with iron sights. It will make you a better shot, then you can upgrade to shooting with scopes. Gamo has been making some bad a** airguns. One, with their special lightweight PBA ammo, shoots like 1350 fps! They even killed a hog with it. I think it is call the carmint model, comes with a scope and everything, no iron sights.

[majek_maniac]

One of the new models is even suppressed!!!!

[007]

I used to hunt them on the property that Coe has on hwy 3.