Tips for the mid-season
The mid-season, with its high temperatures, offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy hunting turtledoves, quail, and wood pigeons. However, it's essential to keep certain factors in mind to make the most of these days. The first is always to be clear about the regulations and specific dates in each Autonomous Community. We provide this information in this blog, CLICK HERE .
The intense heat is a challenge this season, and many hunters are returning after months without hunting, which can make the first few days a bit more difficult. Visiting the reserve in spring to observe agricultural distribution and species movements is very helpful. In quail reserves, it's important to check wheat, corn, sunflower, and mustard fields. In dove reserves, observing dove movements at dawn and dusk is crucial for planning your hunting strategy.
Hydration is essential. You should carry water and drink regularly, cool your neck and nape, and wear a hat and appropriate clothing. With dogs, you should also make sure they are well hydrated and have cool places to rest. Avoiding the hottest hours of the day, carrying plenty of water, and resting in the shade is crucial to preventing heat exhaustion. Wearing sturdy gaiters and carefully checking resting places helps avoid insects and snakes.
The mid-season dogs
For the mid-season, it's essential to have a good hunting dog. The Burgos Pointer is a quail specialist, hardy and calm. Podencos are fast and resistant to heat. The Pointer is swift and covers a lot of ground. The Setter, protected by its coat, searches in difficult places. Pointers, both German and Weimaraner, are excellent in endurance and scent, and tolerate heat well.
It's essential to carry a first-aid kit for your dog that includes a corticosteroid-antihistamine, bandages, antiseptic, emetic, extraction forceps, cotton, gauze, and scissors to handle any emergency. After months without hunting, it's normal to make mistakes. Training on the range at least a week beforehand helps rebuild confidence. Wood pigeon shooting requires large advances due to its size and speed. Turtle dove shooting requires a short swing and medium advances due to its changes of direction. Quail shooting requires pressing your face firmly into the buttstock and not rushing.
Being consistent and organized on outings, alternating dogs to maximize their performance, is essential. Seeking cool spots on hot days and observing crop conditions is also important. Investing time in getting to know the hunting grounds helps achieve better results. Prioritizing shooting safety and training dogs to remain motionless when birds fly by is crucial.
Mid-season sets and calibers
To shoot different species during the mid-season, it's important to adapt your shooting technique to each one. Due to the wood pigeon's size and speed, it requires large swings to compensate for its rapid flight and the height at which it often flies. For turtle doves, a short swing and medium swings are crucial, as these birds vary widely in their flight direction, which increases the difficulty of the shot. Finally, when hunting quail, it's essential to press your head firmly against the stock and not rush. Wild quail tend to zigzag in the first few meters of flight, so it's advisable to wait a bit and shoot with a good trajectory.
As for the most suitable shotgun gauges for the mid-season, the 12-gauge is a very popular choice due to its versatility and power, providing a wide margin of error and good cover. The lighter and more manageable 20-gauge is another excellent option, especially for those who prefer a shotgun that's easier to handle during long days. Both gauges offer a good balance between range and power, allowing you to adapt to the different conditions and species you encounter in the field.
Author: María Balletbó