A dove vest is a type of hunting clothing that is designed to help conceal and camouflage hunters while they are out in the field. Dove vests are specifically made for dove hunting, which involves hunting mourning doves and other species of doves.
What is Dove Hunting?
Dove hunting is a popular type of bird hunting that is practiced across many parts of the United States. Doves refer to a few species of birds in the pigeon and dove family including mourning doves, white-winged doves, Eurasian collared doves, and others.
Doves are hunted for both sport and for their meat. Dove meat is lean and mild, making it a popular table fare. Dove hunting seasons occur in the late summer and early fall when doves are nesting and migrating through areas.
Some key facts about dove hunting:
– Most dove hunting occurs in the southern and western parts of the U.S. including Texas, Arizona, Georgia, South Carolina, and more.
– Mourning doves are the most common species targeted by dove hunters.
– The dove hunting season typically occurs between September and January.
– Limits are set on the number of doves a hunter can harvest per day. This varies by state but is often around 15 birds per day.
– Doves are fast flying birds that offer a challenging target for shooters.
– Decoys and bird calls are sometimes used to attract doves during a hunt.
Purpose of a Dove Vest
A dove vest serves multiple purposes for the dove hunter:
– **Camouflage** – Dove vests use camouflage patterns and earth tone colors to help the hunter blend into the surroundings while hunting in fields. This helps hunters get closer to their prey without being spotted.
– **Ammo Storage** – Dove vests have multiple pockets and shell loops for storing shotgun ammunition during the hunt. Hunters may need to have dozens of shotgun shells handy for a day of dove shooting.
– **Accessory Storage** – The vest provides pockets and loops for calls, licenses, permits, and other hunting accessories that dove hunters need throughout their hunt. Everything is quickly accessible on the vest.
– **Comfort** – A good dove hunting vest is lightweight, breathable, and adjustable to allow for comfort while walking in the field. Padding in the shoulders can help absorb recoil from the shotgun.
Common Features of Dove Vests
There are several standard features found on most dove hunting vests:
– **Camouflage** – The vest comes in camouflage rather than solid coloring. Popular camo patterns include Realtree Max-5, Mossy Oak Bottomland, and simple brown or tan camo.
– **Shell Loops** – Multiple ammunition shell loops are attached to the front of the vest to hold shotgun shells. Loops may hold 5-20 shells each for quick reloading.
– **Pockets** – Both exterior and interior pockets allow storage for items such as calls, licenses, snacks, phone, wallet, sunglasses and more.
– **Recoil Pad** – Padding in the shoulders helps absorb the kick from each shot. Reduces bruising and pain especially during long hunts.
– **Ventilation** – Mesh venting and breathable fabrics keep air circulating to reduce sweat and overheating.
– **Adjustability** – Straps allow for adjusting the vest to fit snugly. Side cinches can tighten the vest up.
– **Game Bag** – Some vests have a rear game bag that can be unfurled to carry harvested doves. Blood and feathers can stain the bag without ruining the vest.
Types of Dove Hunting Vests
There are a few main types of dove vests that hunters can choose from:
**Shell Vest**
– Lightweight and minimalist design.
– Focus is on providing ammo storage via shell loops across the front and shoulders.
– Fewer pockets than other styles.
– Allows for easy shoulder mounting of the shotgun.
– Examples: Allen Company Wingshooter Vest, Gamehide Edge Dove Vest.
**Tactical Vest**
– Inspired by combat and tactical vests.
– Uses adjustable straps and mesh fabric for maximum comfort.
– Multiple shell loops across the front and backpack-like shoulder straps.
– Extra storage via pockets and pouches for gear.
– Allows use of a hydration bladder.
– Examples: Tenzing TZ TV14 Tactical Vest, Allen Tactical Pro Vest.
**Standard Hunting Vest**
– Traditional hunting vest style with pockets and shell loops.
– Can have an exterior game bag.
– Durable cotton or polyester fabric.
– Quilted interior for warmth in early season.
– Examples: Browning Dove and Quail Vest, Cabela’s Two-Tone Upland Vest.
Choosing the Right Dove Vest
There are a few factors to consider when choosing a dove hunting vest for your needs:
– **Climate** – Pick lightweight breathable material if hunting in hot areas. Choose thicker quilted material if early season weather is cool.
– **Ammo Capacity** – Count the number of shell loops to make sure there is enough ammo storage for your hunts. High volume shooters may want 20+ shell capacity.
– **Pockets & Storage** – If carrying lots of gear, look for plenty of secure interior and exterior pockets and pouches. Minimalists can opt for less storage space.
– **Durability** – Look for sturdy, abrasion-resistant fabric if hunting in dense brush. Search for vests with reinforced stitching that won’t fray.
– **Fit** – The vest should fit snugly without constricting movement. Be sure the vest allows you to comfortably mount your shotgun for taking shots.
– **Concealment** – For wary birds like doves, excellent camouflage and natural fabric colors are vital. Avoid vests with shiny snaps or bright logos.
Top Dove Hunting Vest Brands
Some of the top dove vest brands popular with wingshooters are:
– **Browning** – Offers functional dove and upland vests with maximum ammo storage. Used by many competitive shooters. Rugged designs.
– **Decurion** – Specializes in highly adjustable tactical-style vests designed specifically for dove hunting. Feature-packed.
– **Gamehide** – Known for affordably priced yet well-made hunting vests. Leaner shell-focused design good for warm weather.
– **Banded** – Produces custom-fitted dove hunting vests designed for women. Stylish camo patterns.
– **Filson** – Filson uses heavy-duty waxed cotton for extremely durable hunting vests that last for years.
– **Sitka Gear** – Creates premium performance hunting gear including weather-resistant and highly adjustable dove vests.
– **Primos** – Great option for budget-friendly dove vests. Also make double-strap vests to carry lots of shells for volume shooting.
Adding Accessories to Your Dove Vest
To get even more utility out of a dove hunting vest, hunters can add useful accessories:
– **Hydration bladder** – Add a hands-free hydration backpack bladder and drinking tube to stay hydrated without grabbing for water bottles.
– **Shooting gloves** – Special shooting gloves with padded wrists and grippy palms protect hands and improve shooting accuracy.
– **Heated pockets** – Drop-in heated pocket inserts can keep your hands warm on chilly hunts. Battery powered.
– **Calls** – Custom dove call pockets allow easy access to calls for attracting birds during the hunt.
– **Facemask** – Conceal your face and keep out dust with a camo mesh face mask that attaches to your vest.
– **Dog tracking** – Add a beeper and GPS dog tracking unit to track your retriever’s location while on the hunt.
– **Radio pouch** – Allows you to securely stow handheld radios for staying in touch with partners.
– **Safety beacon** – A last resort safety strobe beacon can be deployed if you become lost or injured.
– **Shooting glasses** – Sunglasses or shooting glasses can be attached to protect your vision and improve ability to spot doves.
Tips for Using Your Dove Vest
Here are some helpful tips for getting the most effective use out of your dove vest during hunts:
– Practice mounting your shotgun while wearing the fully loaded dove vest to get a feel for your range of motion.
– If hunting with a group, color code your shell loops with tape so others don’t grab your ammo by accident.
– Use interior pockets for items you need to keep secure like car keys, wallet, and phone. Use outer pockets for items you frequently access.
– Hang or drape your dove vest to air it out after each use to prevent odors.
– Clean accumulated dirt, sweat, and debris from your vest periodically using a damp cloth or brush.
– Repair any loose stitching or damaged areas immediately to avoid losing ammunition or important gear.
– Break in the dove vest before hunting season by wearing it while practicing at the clay shooting range.
– If vest doesn’t fit snugly, use the strap adjustments to tighten it up for stability while swinging and firing your shotgun.
Conclusion
A dove vest is a vital piece of gear for any serious wingshooter. The ideal dove vest blends camouflage, ammo storage, and versatility in a lightweight and comfortable design. When shopping for a new vest, be sure to consider the climate you’ll be hunting in, total ammo capacity required, storage features, fit and durability. With the right dove hunting vest, you’ll have everything you need within arm’s reach for an effective and exciting hunt. Use the vest’s features to your advantage while hunting, accessorize it for additional functionality, and care properly for it after each use to get the most out of your investment.