If you’re shooting a single-barreled shotgun, it’s hard to go wrong with a modified choke.

Most of my shots at white-winged doves have been at somewhat longer range. The birds seem to recognize danger once hostilities commence, and their defense is to scramble for elevation.

If I’m fortunate enough to find an area with lots of white-wingeds, I’ll often switch to modified and improved modified chokes. I’ve seen times when improved modified and full would not be out of order.

Semi-autos and pump-action shotguns are traditional favorites of dove hunters, and it’s hard to argue with the virtues of having that third shot available without having to reload. However, in areas where the bird populations are as high as they often are in Imperial County, that third shot can actually be detrimental to your enjoyment of the hunting experience -- unless you like the idea of limiting out in 10 minutes.

It pays to hold off and pick your shots, especially if it’s early and you’re still waiting for the white- wingeds to fly.

There’s no reason to throw anything heavier than size 7 1/2 shot at doves. I prefer the greater pattern density of No. 8, which is further enhanced by the fact that I shoot nothing but target loads.

The harder shot used in target loads deforms less upon traveling through a barrel, resulting in more uniform shot patterns downrange.

If you don’t think that makes much difference, you’ve never seen a lone dove blaze, twist and turn its way past the muzzles and through the shot patterns of dozens of gunners in a single pass.

WEATHER
The major factor impacting hunter success in Imperial County is the weather. Whether you call it the Southwest monsoon, the Mexican monsoon or the Arizona monsoon, beginning about July, the Southwestern U.S. experiences increased rainfall in the form of scattered thunderstorms.

These summer storms sometimes linger into mid-September. In some years, the region can receive half of its annual rainfall during the months of July, August and September.

Sometimes, such storms will temporarily drive doves from localized areas. That’s yet another good reason to scout the fields just prior to the season.

The birds have to go somewhere. And if they haven’t yet fled into Mexico, as white-wingeds will sometimes do, chances are they’ve simply moved to a nearby favorable area that the thunderstorms missed.

While camo-clad dove hunters will never become poster boys for PETA, they’re likely to receive a warm welcome in Imperial County.

When dove season arrives, some communities pull out all the stops to make hunters feel at home, complete with banners strung across main streets proclaiming, “Welcome, Dove Hunters!”

This isn’t hard to understand when you consider that the county’s sporting and tourism-related businesses have been hit hard by the Salton Sea’s long-term decline in water quality.

By most estimates, dove hunters pump well over $1 million into the county’s economy each fall.

For many small businesses, dove season doesn’t just make their day, it makes their entire year.

Communities display their appreciation for this economic boost by rolling out the red carpet.

Be forewarned, though -- don’t count on rolling into town at the last minute. In some communities, hotel rooms are booked a year in advance.

If you’ve not yet made reservations for an air-conditioned room -- an absolute necessity in an area where temperatures have been known to reach 120 degrees -- start hunting down a reservation, pronto.