First Dove Hunt

Bring yourself a wine cork and lighter to the field and burn the bottom of the cork a little and smear on your face. Make sure you cover it completely so they don't see your face. The tops of your hands and arms wouldn't hurt either.

Headed to Texas myself a week from tomorrow. I have a semi-auto 12. It's a little softer on the shoulder than a pump or o/u if you shoot a lot. A trip to the skeet range wouldn't hurt if you aren't familiar with the leads on your gun. As far as ammo, I've had good luck with 7 1/2 shot, 1 1/8 oz, 1200+fps. You will have a great time! Enjoy the hunt and scenery.

Oh, and don't wear shorts out there hunting and watch for rattlers.

spray your shoes and socks with repellant keep the redbugs off

mojo dove good idea

bring bacon and jalepeno peps

listen to the game on Sirius on car radio while you hunt

depending on how many other hunters and how close, some eye protection from the little BBs

I wouldn't buy a shotgun for a single hunt...the 870 will be fine...I'd shoot low brass 2 3/4" lead #8 shot....

main thing is to get yourself geared for hot weather...go to academy and get yourself a cheap version of a fishing shirt in some drab color...also bring the following:

sunglasses (plastic lenses)
bullfrog sunscreen
disposable earplugs (some for shooting, some for sleeping)
camo pad-topped bucket or hunting stool

ETA: if your hunt is not guided, I would also bring something to put your birds in...like a cheap upland bird hunting vest...

Make sure your shotgun has the plug in it.

The 870 is all you need. That gun has killed lots of doves. I'd rather my sbe2 though. 7 1/2 is my go to shot size for doves. I shoot low brass, that crap you buy in 100rd boxes at Walmart. I always use 2 mojos and 6 regular decoys. I'll put 3-4 mojos if I'm hunting with someone who has them. Mojos work for doves. I bring a spin top bucket to carry my decoys and sit on, and a backpack ice chest with plenty of drinks. I wear rubber boots, usually camo wranglers, camo tshirt, camo hat. I don't paint my face considering half my arms are showing anyway. Marking birds and shooting 1 bird at a time is solid advice. It doesn't do any good to shoot a double if you only find 1 of them. Good luck!