THIS IS WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE WHEN DOVES FLY
A FLURRY OF WARM-WEATHER SHOOTING.
What the Day Looks Like
Morning Meet Up
A typical guided dove hunting trip will start off by meeting with the guide at Half-Sun Chevron Truck Station, 420 S Wanapum Dr, Moses Lake, WA 98837.
We’ll fill up on coffee, grab breakfast grub from the Champs hot shelf and any snacks needed for the day. If a different meetup location is needed for your group, your guide will contact you the evening before. If not, meet at Half-Sun.
These trips are typically warm weather hunts, given that we go from Labor Day through October. Our meeting time does not need to adhere to “waterfowl hours,” expect your guide to communicate with you before the trip to dial in the meeting time or adjustments to the meeting location.
The Hunt
Expect to arrive at the hunting location - field, pond, or lake - about an hour before shooting time. The guide(s) will be responsible for getting the decoy spread put out but everyone tends to chip in.
Our guides take pride in ensuring our clients are as comfortable, and camouflaged as possible for your hunt. Each hunt may require different setups to get you where the doves are flying. If necessary, we’ll adjust our hunting location to gain the advantage.
Expect to hunt till around 1pm if you don't finish earlier due to sore shoulders.
Get to Know Your Guides
Dove hunting is more than limting on birds. Don’t get us wrong, we get our fair share of limits but at the same time, we recognize all that goes into creating a memorable hunting experience is more than a bag of birds.
One of those pieces is ensureing clients get likable, experienced guides. Aaron takes great pride on having a team of guides whom are well-rounded custodians of your hunting adventure. Our guides are very much a family and look to treat clients like family too.
Our guides are likable, extremely hard workers, and well-rounded outdoorsman who enjoy imparting knowledge when asked. Don’t be shy either, get to know your guides, they look forward to hunting with you!
Book a Dove Hunt
A gorgeous two-and-a-half-hour drive over the mountains east of Seattle or about a ninety-minute drive from Yakima, our dove hunting are barrels of fun! Eastern Washington Dove hunting begins on Labor Day and through October, following all Washington State DFW hunting regulations, season & bag limits. Dove hunting is a popular and fun trip for families, friends, and small or large groups of up to 25.
All our dove hunts are 100% free-range, fair chase. We hunt over a mix of sunflower or wheat food plots, targeting Mourning and Eurasian Collared Doves.
Dove hunts are priced at $175/gun (not including taxes) for the 2024 season.
Dove Hunting Trip FAQs
Don’t see your question answered below? Check out the complete list of frequently asked questions.
What shotgun choke should I use?
Selecting your shotgun and load is really a matter of personal preference. A 20-gauge, 16-gauge, or 12-gauge pump, semi-automatic, side-by-sides, and over-and-unders all make excellent “dove guns”. Some of our clients or kids might even be slinging a .410, all of these shotguns work well for dove hunting in Eastern Washington.
Your expected shot range will vary a little between early (10-35 yards) & late (25-40 yards) seasons so we recommend a modified or improved modified choke with Number 7 ½ shot size to Number 6 shot size.
Are first-time hunters allowed?
You bet! Eastern Washington Guides is a family-friendly environment. You’ll regularly see kids, youth hunters, and first-time hunters join our ranks. Per Washington State DFW, “All hunters born after Jan. 1, 1972 must show proof of hunter education course completion before purchasing their first Washington hunting license.” Our guides will look to isolate shooing opportunities until you get used to the pace.
Does Eastern Washington Guides offer Pheasant, Grouse, or Chuckar trips?
Not currently. However, ask any of the Eastern Washington Guides about surrounding public ground, there are ample hunting opportunities near our goose & duck hunting leases. A number of our clients will limit with one of our guided hunts, then walk into public ground for upland birds. Please ask our guides for additional information or view public access points via the DFW website.
Do clients get a refund if a limit is not shot?
Don’t be silly. All of our guides work extremely hard scouting during the week, building/grassing blinds, laying out decoy spreads, and pretty good getting clients on birds. To be honest, we rarely get skunked but at the same time, make no guarantees. After all, this is hunting.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are allowed on occasion but require individual approval from Aaron in advance. We love dogs and seeing trained dogs work however we must ensure all clients have an enjoyable time. An unruly dog in the blind can make for a frustrating day for all.
RELATED LINKS
Washington State game bird regulations (WDFW) > WDFW Website
Buy your migratory bird license online > WDFW’s Online Fish & Hunting License
Places to stay and eat around Moses Lake, WA > Plan Your Trip