“Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” -U.S Department of Labor.

Is this what you think when Labor Day is mentioned? Perhaps it should be, but to many American Citizens Labor Day is more well celebrated as the coming of fall. To these Americans, Labor Day means Dove hunt.

Every year across this great country hunters of all ages will sit on a 5 gallon bucket and stare into the distance in hopes of a dove gliding by. Chances are, one will. The 2020 U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Census notes “HIP estimates for mourning dove total harvest, active hunters, and total days afield in the U.S. in 2019 were 9,983,500 ± 365,100 (estimate ± SE) birds, 662,900 hunters, and 1,837,400 ± 67,000 days afield.”

So what is so great about dove hunting? Well, it's about the easiest form of hunting there is. All you truly need is a shotgun and a field. This is often a family activity as well. Many children's first experience hunting is in a dove field. Whether you are putting your clay pigeon practice to the test or being your father's designated dove retriever like my wife told me she used to do with her sister.

One of my very close family friends went into labor while her husband was dove hunting. This was the 90’s so instead of calling him on the phone, someone had to drive out and hollar across a field to let him know. I can picture him dropping all his gear and hauling ass across the field to jump in the car and head to the hospital.

Some folks take dove hunting to another level. In countries like Argentina, doves are in such great numbers that they are almost a nuisance to farmer’s crops. This is why Cordoba, Argentina is the dove hunting capital of the world. Just for comparison, the South Carolina Daily limit is 15 birds, but in my first afternoon in Cordoba, I harvested 123 birds. Now some might think this is ridiculous, but the benefits are manifold.

For all those city folk, Doves are damn good eating. Like many things, doves can be wrapped in bacon and thrown on the grill as some form of a popper. For the most part, this is how many eat their doves. In some cases people get a little bit more fancy. I have attached a link to Steven Rinella throwing his own way to cook them in a link below.

So for those of you who don't have the opening day of dove season marked on your calendar, why not give it a try. Dust off your grandpa's old shotgun that's leaning up in the corner of a closet. Grab some ear protection, a little blaze orange, and find an old wooden stool or bucket to sit on. Afterall, Netflix will be waiting for you later.

Orvis/LL Bean Photo shoot requires: Briar Pants, Tan Shooting Button Down, Russell Upland Boots, Orange Baseball cap, Vest.

What I will be wearing: Bean Boots, Old Pair of Khakis/maybe shorts, light green t-shirt, and a filson hat