Hunters seeking every advantage in the field understand the benefit of using decoys to attract doves. These do-it-yourself (DIY) dove decoys are perfect for the budget-minded hunter. Simply print out the decoy images below, fold in half, glue to a piece of cardboard (tip: we used thick file folders destined for the recycle bin) and cut out following the outline of the bird. For additional protection, we spray the assembled decoys with lacquer.
Once in the field, attach the decoys to dead branches and fences using clothespins or binder clips. Check the Colorado Small-Game brochures for season dates and fees. Be sure to check the current small-game brochure for season dates and bag/possession limits. The Eurasion-collared dove season is year-round with an unlimited daily bag and possession limit.
Dove Decoys
Download and print the three mourning dove and two Eurasian-collared dove images shown below. For mourning doves and white-winged doves, use these images:
Mourning Dove Decoys
Eurasian-collared Dove Decoys
Wayne D. Lewis is the editor and art director of Colorado Outdoors magazine.
6 Responses
This is awesome, thank you
I hunt doves in the ricefield after harvesting, its very effective in shooting in the ground they kept coming seeing the decoy.thanks
Thank you for these, will try em out on Sunday!!
Thanks a bunch. The cut-outs are a great idea. Wire coat-hangers will make great “stands” for the doves in open patches in the fields.
I tried to fit the Doves to match actual size of live birds, but they come out as 77%. I could not set them to “just” fit 8.5″x11.0″ What am I doing wrong? When I was a kid in the 1950’s, I made dove decoys out of plain cardboard, they worked, but these are so much more life-like. I like the addition of Eurasion Collard Doves. Thanks, DBM, MT
Hi Brent, every printer is a little different. See if your printer has a checkbox option for “Fit to page.”