I miss Texas!
I took my son out for the dove hunt on the opener this past Monday to a place here in Utah I hunted several times growing up. It was flat-out horrible. A rainy cold front came through Sunday evening, and nothing was flying on Monday morning. We sat around for a few hours in mid-40 degree temperatures waiting for the birds, but they apparently were hunkered down, wishing they had taken off for Mexico a day earlier. I didn’t fire a single shot.
Our family lived in Texas for several years, and the dove hunts we experienced there were dream hunts. Basically, we were shooting in self defense and the hunt lasted all of 45 minutes to get our 15 bird limit. Then it was back to the house for the annual opening day BBQ. I still haven’t called my buddy down there to update him on my Utah hunt. I know he did well in Texas, and I don’t want him to rub it in 
Father & son after the 2007 Texas dove opener. Ohhh, those were the days...
I need to convince my wife we need to relocate the family and business to the midwest or southwest (Texas). I’m fond of Kansas – I hunt pheasant there every year, but I don’t know that the missus would go for it. If any of you have any persuasive ideas on getting the family to move, let me know. These days it would sure save me a lot of gas money too 
I broke out my new Browning Prarielands Dove Vest for the hunt, but realized it was the wrong piece of equipment for the day. It’s a great vest, but made for warm weather hunts – it’s super light-weight and has a lot of mesh for breathability. On a normal September 1, it would be the right vest in Utah too, just not on this particular opener. (I don’t know that any manufacturer would make much money with a ‘cold-weather’ dove vest)
The hunt (if you can call it that) definitely left me wanting. I’m still hungry to get the bird season kicked-off and put some game on the grill. At least the college football season has arrived, and I got to go watch my team win its opener. I guess I shouldn’t get too greedy.
Until next time… -JT
PS – a quick note to remind anyone reading this, we have extended the free shipping offer at Uplanders Warehouse. It’s a great time to gear-up (even if you’re hunt’s a bust!). Use promo code FREESHIP when you checkout.
