It looks like the early reports from Monday’s opening day are either that of boom or bust.
My particular hunt was a bust – despite the prescouting we did prior to the opener.
Leaving one to wonder, “did the heavy storms of last week play a role?”

I got with one the Arizona Game and Fish Wildlife Specialist to find out.

Q: Do monsoon storms effect dove?
A: Typically, normal monsoon storms happen in the evening when dove are already at the roost, and they will hunker down and weather the storm. However, early September is when white-winged doves start to migrate south. This causes the belief that the storms blew them out, when they [white-wings] were already in their migration cycle.

Q: What about that storm last week?
A: That certainly was not a typical monsoon. The East Valley particularly felt like it was under attack. There’s certainly a great possibility when you have extremely high winds like we had last Thursday and Friday that even roosting birds are going to get dispersed. And when that happens, you will see there a few days before the return to their normal patterns. Which would explain your hunt – or lack of.

Q: What are the early reports that you are hear?
A: I was out all day Monday and found the reports to be similar to what you have described. Some places were experiencing very slow flights while there are some reports of very good dove numbers. Even Yuma, which is considered the dove capital, had a less than favorable opener.

Q; You said dispersed, does this mean the dove are gone?
A: Yes and no. The white-wings might be ahead of their normal migration due to the past couple of storms, and that is very common. However, the mourning dove are still here, but dispersed and out of their normal routine. The weather forecast for this week is for a continued warming and drying trend. This should get birds back to their normal patterns and we should see this weekend provide some good dove hunting – like most were counting on for the opener.