American Brittany, American Dad: Dove Season 2017

September 1st ushers in the first of the fall hunting seasons, and is always a much anticipated day in the Larison household. (At least for me and the boys haha). This season was extra special because we had a couple additional amigos with us. My life long best friend, Luke Payton, his oldest son Will, and Owens good friend Jaxson Stried, as well as the usual suspects, myself, Owen, and Pop. Nolan couldn't go because as most of you know he is deep into football season at the moment, and missing a Friday morning is a little frowned upon.

The Payton twosome arrived late to the homestead in Central Ohio on Thursday night. So of course Pop, Owen, Jaxson and I were all up waiting for them when they rolled in at 10:30. After they arrived, we ushered the boys off to bed quickly and loaded the truck so it was ready for the early morning ahead. 4:00 AM the alarms sounded and we all spring from our beds in a mad dash. Knowing the alarm was like the starting pistol for a race to find 6 spots in a dove field at DEER Creek wild life area. Even Pop (who can be a little pokey at times - but don't tell him I said that) was in a hurry. Just like that we were loaded up and on the road.

We pulled into the first parking area a solid 2 hours prior to daylight, yet still there were already 25 cars parked there. (Not joking 25) This field was by far the most desirable, nicely laid out with healthy sunflowers, cut wheat that had been burnt and LOADED with birds (when I had walked it a week prior). It was not a large field, so I knew it would be crowded, but it was the best field for sure! We started to unload the truck, and as the 3 little guys with us jumped out, I just couldn't do it. If it was just us 3 adults, I would have felt okay about trying to squeeze into this field, but no way were we taking any chances with these guys. It just would not have been safe enough. So back in the truck we went, and off to find another field. The 2nd place we went had even more vehicles, but this field was huge. (3/4 of a mile long) There would be plenty of room to spread out, have good shooting lanes, and most importantly no one sitting across the field from you taking unsafe shots. We were settled into our spots 45 minutes before shooting light.

Around 7:00 the shooting started, and it was still going we left the field at noon. Owen buddied up with Pop, Jaxson with me, and WIll with Luke. We were seeing tons of birds, occasionally hitting one, and had really nice guys on both sides of us. (Not like the old Bastard we sat next to last year - if your not familiar go check my post from Dove season 2016 HAHAHA) Things were going along great, when out of the blue Owen hollared to me "Dad, Something is wrong with my gun." I went to see what was the matter, and he explained that he had ejected 4 shells from the gun. I ask if he was sure, and he assured me "YES, I'm positive". (This is an issue because the guns are required to be plugged so they will only hold 3 rounds. This is the same rule for all types of bird hunting) I tore it down in the field, and sure enough it was missing the plug. (I still cant figure out how) Well after a quick consult with Pop, I started widdling down a sunflower stalk to fit in his magazine. It didn't take long, and I had his gun functioning as if it had factory installed plug inside. (A nice bush fix) Well a 1/2 hour later, can you guess who came bye to check on us. Yep ODNR.... Nice guys, as always, and the gun passed inspection without a 2nd look. (Fortunately they didn't open it up, they just verified it wouldnt hold to many shells) I was pretty excited that Owen being the young hunter he is, paid enough attention to what he was doing to know their was an issue. He could have been so busy shooting, not to notice... Had he not said anything, I likely would have gotten a rather large ticket. But since he did, the ticket was avoided, and we were able to follow the rules.

Doves can humble even the best of wing shooters, so typically a 1 to 3 kill ratio (1 bird for every 3 shots) is pretty good when dove hunting. Well I'm betting that Jaxson and Owen both had sore shoulders the next day because between the two of them they shot more than 500 rounds of 20 gauge ammo to score their 28 birds. I also bet, that I saw more smiles, and heard more giggles during those 500 shots than I have seen or heard in a long time. They both had a blast, and shared a really cool day together. Luke & Will, experienced what I've been telling him for the last several years (that they had to come over for Dove season) Luke managed to shoot his 15th bird just before running out of ammo. A prett solid feat for a rookie dove hunter. Pop, had a good day of shooting & trying to dial in his new side by side 20 gauge. But I think he really spent more time laughing at the boys, than he did looking at the sky and shooting at doves.

All in all, what a awesome time. We were that group that I have made fun of in the past, and swore I would never be. You know, six guys literally dragging a wagon, of lunches, guns and ammunition into the field. But just same as Stacy told me 20 years ago, "she would never drive a minivan".... Things change.

I did video the hunt, so when I get time I will get a YouTube video posted. I hope you have all enjoyed.

9-1-17 before sunrise from the field