2009-09-01: Dove Opener
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:55 pm
So right around 4:30 this morning Ollie comes rolling up and I load up my Winchester model 1300 12 gauge along with the rest of my gear into the Bugeater. Of course I hear him long before I see him with those knargly Mud Grappler Extreme Terrain tires hummin' up the road. After picking up my dad in Santee, we're on our way out to El Centro to a spot just south of the 8 that has always provided a good hunt.
Once we dropped down from the mountains into the desert we were presented with an intense lightning show across the sky. Fortunately, the showers and breeze kept the temperatures somewhat cool for the first part of the morning. It wasn't long before the birds started flying by in numbers. You're allowed 10 doves each and our bag limit was filled by around 10 o'clock. Ollie would have had his filled before mine if a hawk hadn't have swooped in and snatched one of his birds.
After the birds were cleaned and our mess picked up we stopped for a quick lunch and headed back towards San Diego. On the way back we checked out the section of Old Highway 80 at Mountain Springs and then enjoyed the views from atop Elliot Mine. Unfortunately, I didn'thave a camera along for the trip but Ollie managed to snap a few pics along the way.
Today was one of the best openers I've had and it was a blast to hit up a few trails after the hunt. A big thanks to Ollie for driving and keeping us cool out there. Can't wait for quail season!
Once we dropped down from the mountains into the desert we were presented with an intense lightning show across the sky. Fortunately, the showers and breeze kept the temperatures somewhat cool for the first part of the morning. It wasn't long before the birds started flying by in numbers. You're allowed 10 doves each and our bag limit was filled by around 10 o'clock. Ollie would have had his filled before mine if a hawk hadn't have swooped in and snatched one of his birds.
After the birds were cleaned and our mess picked up we stopped for a quick lunch and headed back towards San Diego. On the way back we checked out the section of Old Highway 80 at Mountain Springs and then enjoyed the views from atop Elliot Mine. Unfortunately, I didn'thave a camera along for the trip but Ollie managed to snap a few pics along the way. Today was one of the best openers I've had and it was a blast to hit up a few trails after the hunt. A big thanks to Ollie for driving and keeping us cool out there. Can't wait for quail season!
