Steel Shot...For doves????

[Neal]

Hypothetical Question.......

Say Michigan Got our dove season, but with steel or synthetic shot only. Would that really be a bad thing? If it is simular to lead on a dove and doesn't have an environmental impact..... wouldn't it be fine?

I guess I'm trying to educate myself on the difference...remember we're talking about doves.

Thanks,

Neal

[Hunter333]

It appears to me that the only "bad" thing about it is that steel is more expensive. I dont care, I would hunt them either way :)

[part timer]

Steel shot is more expensive and retains less energy than lead.
The higher end products (e.g. bismuth) are denser and therefore do a better job retaining energy - but at a much higher price than lead.

I don't intend to hunt doves but for those that do I guess the extra cost for shells is a small price to pay.

[Big Frank 25]

I don't think it will be long before non toxic shot will be needed for all hunting! No problem here!

[Brian S]

Another problem with non-toxic for doves occurs when you have overlapping seasons (rabbit, grouse, squirrel) and you may be combining several species in the same hunt.

I constantly put up doves while grouse hunting. It would be nice to be able to hunt both without haveing to carry all non-toxic shot.

As far as lethality, it doesn't take much to bring down a dove so less penatration from steel shouldn't be an issue.

[Kevin]

I agree with Big Frank, I think it is only a matter of time.
By that time you might even see price come down.

[Zeboy]

A dove season with non toxic restrictions is a million times better than no dove season without non toxic restrictions . . .

lead is certainly less expensive and easier to find - especially in smaller guage sizes. Non toxic restrictions will hurt those wanting to hunt with 410, 28, 16, and even 20 guages.

I've hunted doves in Indiana for roughly 15 years. When I started, one of the things that surprised me was how much more successful I was with tighter chokes. The kill zone on a dove is quite small. My theory is that on longer shots, holes developed in my pattern and even though I was "on" the bird it did not come down with improved or even modified. Steel holds together more than lead. The tighter patterns of steel may actually help in this regard. Just a theory though.

[brdhntr]

I, actually, used some steel shot last fall on doves when I ran out of lead shot. Worked fine, but I wouldn't want to have it required. We may be required to use it for all hunting eventually, but I'd rather not make it any easier for the antis. Of course, it is better than no season at all. Another big problem I have with it is my O/U is not suitable for use with steel shot, and bismuth would get awful expensive given the number of shells expended on a typical dove shoot.

[Bow Hunter Brandon]

I certainly would not have a problem with it. I think its only a matter of time to we will have to use all non toxic out of the shotguns.

[multibeard]

My main problem with having to use steel shot for doves would be the fact that I would like to use my trusty old Fox bst double 16 gauge to hunt them. As it would ruin the barrels to use steel in it I would not be able to use it.

As it is now the old Fox is more or less a wall hanger due to the fact i am unable to grouse hunt anymore due to my health.

The ironic thing about possibly hunting doves and geese in the same field, you could possibly be using lead shot in the same fields that you also hunt geese in.

[Jeffrey Sr]

I have been using steel shot for the last few years due to the fact that where I small game hunt there are also ducks and geese. For me going all steel was a pretty easy switch, since you cant whack ducks with lead on you. Only took a few rounds out of the 12 gauge, and target paper to see how the patterns are differant.

[Shoeman]

I remember having to use steel while hunting quail in southern Illinois.

[Bow Hunter Brandon]

Originally posted by multibeard
My main problem with having to use steel shot for doves would be the fact that I would like to use my trusty old Fox bst double 16 gauge to hunt them. As it would ruin the barrels to use steel in it I would not be able to use it.

As it is now the old Fox is more or less a wall hanger due to the fact i am unable to grouse hunt anymore due to my health.

The ironic thing about possibly hunting doves and geese in the same field, you could possibly be using lead shot in the same fields that you also hunt geese in.

Multi, There are other non toxics you should be able to shoot out of that gun.

[multibeard]

Bow hunter

I know there are nontoxics that could be shot in my gun. the main problem is I do not reload. I can imagine the cost of non toxic loads if I could find them would be prohibitive. It is hard enough to find 126 gauge loads as it is.

[Bow Hunter Brandon]

Yep I could see that. I know its hard to even find 16 some times. In non toxic you would be paying a premium for sure.