If any of you applied for the dove draw the results are posted at the DNR website. h.h.

I wish I would have put in for one in time!!

Got #2 pick for the 1st at Huntington Res.

Salamonie Res 9/2 hunt order 10.

Never been on one of these so know nothing about it.

Hunted up there a few years ago when Indianapolis (and Indiana) got that huge rain. It rained like crazy up there also but we shot doves in the driving rain. If their fields are as good this year as they were then, it should be good. Get there early and go look at the various fields. You got a great draw number! My wife got drawn with the 27th pick up there also. We will probably go.

Oh, by the way I was unsuccessful again this year. h.h.

I plan on going.

Dave any tips on hunting there? Sit on buckets? what do you bring etc....

I'd suggest a small camp chair or bucket, small cooler with cold water (assuming its going to be hot), bug spray and plenty of shells. I haven't hunted there enough, just the one time, to even suggest where to go, but that's why its good to get there early enough to go and scout the various fields for birds. Probably look for a field near the lake and one that doesn't have a lot of weeds growing in the sunflowers. Now, if there would happen to be a serious "cold front" move through a day or two before the hunt, the birds might just leave. I'll cal up there in a week or so and talk to the property manager about whether the sunflowers grew at all and whether they are full of weeds and send you an email update from what I learn from the call.

My luck continues (or lack there of), 70th pick at Pigeon River on second day.

FYI, You are only allowed 50 shells in the field and they must be steel shot. Take a comfortable chair because you do a lot of sitting. Usually the best shooting at Salamonie is the fields along the river in the Heiny Bend Area. If you want I can check the fields right before the hunt and see which ones have birds. I live about 5 miles from Salamonie. h.h.

Thanks HH. After further checking my wife got drawn for the second day so I'll have to think long and hard about making that drive for a day two hunt, probably won't. But, a report a few days prior sure would be nice. Thanks again for the offer of help and on ground scouting.

Very few fields and spots only like 35 so won't be many stand by spots at salamonie.

I was drawn on Salamonie two years ago and they increased the shell limit to 75. I have been drawn there a few times and it seems the best areas we hunted were around the river off of St. Rd. 124 as hornharvester said.

I was at the reservoir today and they were mowing the sunflowers. Weeds are heavy and 1-2ft taller than the flowers. Flowers had good heads.

There are only 34 total spots per day. I would try and get into area 6 which is the Heiny Bend area off of hwy 124 between 5 and 9. This area has always shot good in the past. Shell limit is 50 non toxic shot. h.h.

Thank you HH for the scouting report.

There are a total of 6 fields with 4 or 5 of them in Heiny Bend area. The is a handicap field at the old campground at Lost Bridge East.

Delaney,

with a draw of 27 there wont be much left to pick from. Good luck, h.h.

HH,

What is usually a good time to hunt? early? Late? Mid-day? It seems I may only have the morning to go and hunt and might give it a try.

I got hunt number 10

Thanks

HH, - that was me above. I didn't know Luke was logged on. We may give it a shot.

Some places only let you go in the afternoon..... Not sure about this FWA you may want to call!!!

Luke, Bean and Dave,

Draw hunts at Salamonie Lost Bridge East pavilion
starting at 11:00 and you pick your spot in order. You shoot from noon til 6:00. They go over the rules at the draw.

As a general rule the best dove shooting is from 3:00 on. If you dont see many doves by 3:30 - 4:00 figure its going to be a bad day.

The way they mowed the fields you will have to sit in the sun so bring gear accordingly. I walked the flowers and the skeeters were really bad, so bring plenty of spray.

Ive seen a lot of doves around this year so maybe shooting will be good. Good luck to all of you, h.h.

Thanks HH. My wife actually got drawn for the second day instead of the first. Not sure we'll give it a go at #26 draw. But again, thank you very much for the information and effort of looking over the fields for us.

Did any of you guys go? h.h.

Hunted with a friend on day 2 at PR, he had a 43 pick, we ended up with 20 doves between us. Shooting was slow in our field till the last hour. Sounded like shooting was better in other nearby fields.

I didn't go because of mother being hospitalized on Monday.