16ga.com ~ View topic - Question: Who would "tree limb" the dove off the w

I have never had the pleasure of trying dove. Dove hunting isn't that big in the Northwest, with the big five (Chukars, huns, quail, phez, grouse) receiving the most attention. I had a friend over for dinner the other night, and I prepared sliced mallard breast appetizers, with my specialty, "Mark's Rosemary Chukar Delight" as the main course. Absolutely delicious, if I do say so myself. I would be happy to share the recipe if anyone would like me to. It works on pretty much any upland game bird. Mmmmm....... chukars. Nothing better.

Oh, would I shoot a dove on a tree branch? No. Nor do I ground sluice grouse or any other bird. Unless I'm starving, or I had to feed a camp and all I have is a .22 in my hand (which has never happened), I just feel it disrespects the bird, and hunting in general.

Here's the recipe for Mark's Rosemary Chukar Delight:

breast meat from 3 chukar breasts, cubed
1 med. onion, chopped
1 lb. mushrooms, half cut in half, the rest left whole (creates great texture)
roughly chopped garlic from 1 whole clove (approx. 1/4 cup)
Several tbsps fresh rosemary (store bought ok if necessary)
1 tbsp coarse black pepper
1 tsp salt
2 eggs, whisked
1 cup flour
3 tbsps olive oil (regular oil will leave a bland taste)

Dip chukar meat in eggs, then put in flour in a bowl or bag, to evenly coat. In large frying pan, over med. high heat (hot enough to brown), add oil, then saute onions, mushrooms, garlic, and chukar by folding like an omelette after the first browning. Season with rosemary, salt, pepper. After the first browning of meat, the shrooms will shrink, creating more room to stir. After meat is browned, cover skillet, reduce heat to medium until meat is cooked evenly through. Stir frequently. The entire dish is moist, and extremely flavorful, with great texture. I like to refer to it as "chukar popcorn." You just can't stop eating it. Yummm... Serves 3-4 people. Serve with rice pilaf or garlic chicken rice, risoto, etc.

Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 972 Location: Keller,TX

You must have access to some type of smoker, dried or green pecan limbs or splits, and some of those wooden or metal skewers for the kebobs. The grill can be of any type.

Ingredients:

12 - 15 dove breasts on the bone or filets with or without skin
Worcester sauce or soy sauce
EVOO ( Extra virgin olive oil )
Cayenne pepper
Jalepeno peppers - Large, 5 or 6
Tarragon vinegar
Purple onion - 1 or 2 Large
Roma tomatoes
Purple top turnips
Salt
Fresh ground black pepper
Cavenders Greek Seasoning

Wash onion, turnips, tomatoes, and jalepenos. Split the jalepenos lengthwise,and seed- being careful to remove the bitter white portions of flesh. Remove the top and beard from the onion and quarter it. Remove top and bottom from turnips and peel skin. Slice the turnips into 1/4 inch slices with about 3" diameter.

Place onion, turnips, and jalepenos in a large sealable bag such as a Glad bag. Place in the bag with the vegetables, 1/4 cup of tarragon vinegar and marinate overnight.

The dove breasts should be soaked in ice water overnight ,and checked for feathers and shot. One hour before Smoking, put the breasts in a Glad bag with worcester or soy sauce covering them and making sure the meat is in the sauce.Leave out to bring to room temperature.

Remove veggies from bag and pat dry. Place them in a glass bowl and pour evoo over them, covering all surfaces. Dust with cayenne pepper liberally. ( I promise it won't be too hot to eat! ) Remove the turnips and place them on a hot grill for 5 minutes or until they start to soften. Remove and set aside.

Get smoker going with water soaked limbs of the pecan wood so that nice cloud of white moist smoke is puffing out the cracks.Remove dove breasts fom marinade bag and pat dry.Place breasts in a glass bowl and oil them with evoo. Dust with Cavenders seasoning and place in smoker for 20 or 25 minutes. Smoker temp must be maintained at no higher than 210 degrees.

Remove breasts from smoker and assemble on a cookie sheet or foil covered tray. Quarter tomatoes and add to bowl of onions and jalepenos.Mix them with the oiled veggies and ready the skewers.

Assemble the meat and veggies on the skewer randomly with a small space between layers of dove , jalepeno, turnip, and onion. Place on hot grill for 5-8 minutes, turning often to prevent charring.Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper. Serve with a nice chianti or any favorite fruity red wine. Steamed asparagus is also good as well.

Bon appitite.Pecan Smoked Dove Kebobs a la XVI'er (Brent Lacy)

thanks Brent.... just got to go find a few doves on a wire (hee hee)

Duncan

Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 972 Location: Keller,TX

AAAHH... mi britgun! Laughing

Now I know why you used to sell all those "poachers" guns on your website! Wink

You have a standing invite for a dove hunt Sept 1, 2007, Bring your SxS 16, a flat of shells, and one Glad sandwich bag to put your plucked dove in coz we only have one highline wire close to the field. Laughing

I'd love to.... may even try to hit a few out of the air.... can people really do that? Very Happy

Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 972 Location: Keller,TX

I have heard about it, read about it, but in all honesty, seen it only once in a great while. Wink

Wingshooter knows about it. He might have actually accomplished it himself.

Can't speak for the other lads, but I have done it in front of witnesses. It can be done but only with intense desire, practice, and a suitable venue. Razz

When I was very young my father used to take me Dove hunting. I had a single shot Stevens 410. He would put me under the power line so I could shoot a few off the line. That is how I would boost my kill ratio. Heck, I might do it again just for old time sake.

I was wonderin' who all my redneck bros were that voted accordingly on the poll.... Very Happy

Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 972 Location: Keller,TX

Scolari old son, I guess with a 67 bore you need all the help you can get unless you have a "Mojo" set up.

Not to stray too far off, but I tried a field set up with the wind powered variety last year. I limited out with my 20 bore in a short time. I probably could have done it with the 67 bore because the shots were so close! Laughing

I still don't like to see anyone shoot off a wire because of the potential danger. Evil or Very Mad

Limbs are OK only if your tummy overrules your ethics! Laughing

I guess I'm to the point in life where method means a lot, on the wing is my thing. Prior to moving to Arizona, where I really experienced some decent stateside Dove Hunting for the first time. I may have taken a whack at one in a compromised state of flight, but now it just wouldn't seem right. I don't know as I've ever been hungry enough for that compromise. The Doves are way to much fun on the wing, you get a limit and you've earned them. You may even get really lucky and get a double or two, September is only 5 months away. The really good news is the Doves are profuse this year, I am seeing a lot more birds than normal. Oh Yeah Baby Yeah, Fresh Dove Breast Marinated in Italian Dressing, Wrapped in Bacon and slowBQ'd. We get two glorious weeks and a chance to drive every shotgun I own at least once. On the Wire, Naaah Not for Me. But I may consider ground sluicing one of those dang running Blue Quail, might be the only shot you get. If they didn't eat so well I believe I could hold the high and mighty standard across the species, But Nope those Quails is just too tasty.
A Good Evening to All
Chet

Member Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 425 Location: Big D

OK,OK... I have never tree limbed a dove. I've just been horsing around with the pseudo-redneck act...Would I? I really don't think so, but can't promise anything.... Smile

. I have only shot dove while hunting other birds, like huns. Although one time, I shot a limit of dove legitimately over a flax seed field (the English call it "oil seed rape")...uh, that's the name of the plant, not what you are doing to the doves.... anyhow, it was in conjunction with a pigeon shoot at a huge conglomeration of graneries up here in Montany where farmer's bring their wheat for miles around to store, and there's spilled grain all over and the "sky rats" funnel in there incessantly. They had just happened to plant the flax next to the graneries that year.... it was precious. So we shot (2 of us) 20 dove and about 50-60 pigeons that day..... I wqs about 1 bird for 3 shells, and that's trying to pick the easiest shots.... but I always take around 5 guns to shoot, and that messes me up a little, I think.... when I get discouraged with too many misses, I always fall back on little "Yvette", the sleek, 5 pound French wonder...... she ees so beautiful, no?

brit, coming clean with the boys....

I'm training the doves that nest on my property to not land close by when they flush. This year I have only one nesting pair. Last year I had three pair. I'm not a dove hunter, but they sure are nice to watch feeding. In fact I don't shoot anything on my property. I have doves, grouse and in wet years ducks. The woodcocks also migrate through. I take my share, just not on my property. Trying to develope more nesting. Right now I can look out and see the doves and red wing blackbirds feeding. I know I sound like an anti hunter. If the wind wasn't blowing about 30 mph I would have been up at the pheasant run training my pup on some chukars. Using of coarse the favorite 16 gauges, what has now become an SPR 16 gauge O/U. In three trips have not missed a bird. I quess remington has discontinued the 16 gauge SPR's. I would recommend anyone wanting a reasonably priced O/U 16 gauge to look and buy one as there are still some left out there. There, the forum has been kind of bland lately. Gives you Citori lovers something to think about.