Doves - steel or lead??

[BLACKJACK]

Are doves considered 'migratory'? Do you need to use steel shot, even on private land? Was looking at the regs last night, its says only three shots, so you need a plug, but couldn't see anything about steel.

Thanks!!

[123fish]

You can use lead other than on a Waterfowl Production Area.

[BLACKJACK]

Went out last night and shot five, they were flying pretty good at first in the weedy field I was in but then slowly slacked off toward sunset. Was happy with my shooting, nailed the first three I shot at but then started taking some longer shots...

Was good to get the dog out, found out I need to work with her more. First bird, she couldn't find!!! Second bird I marked better and marched right out to help her -- then she didn't deliver to hand!!! Third bird we found and then I marched away from her and she delivered it, with lots of praise. Fourth and fifth birds were done better, she found and retrieved. Then at the end we went and found that first lost bird, she had figured out what we were up to.

Was hot for her, we went thru the quart of water that I had brought for her in about 20 minutes. Ended up having to go back to the truck for more water.

The shooting wasn't as hot and heavy as I would have liked but it was good doggy practice for the duck opener. She was so excited, every time I moved she would jump around but finally started settling down. May make it out one more time this weekend - but will bring the Thermacell, the mosquitoes were bad!!

[R. Miller]

I'll usually have a box of 7/2 or 8 20ga lead and a box of 7 1/2 steel when I'm going from WMA to WPA for dove.