New Dove Hunting Gear for 2016

Dove hunting may not be as equipment-heavy as the pursuit of other birds, like waterfowl or turkeys. But it does come with new gear options designed to make us better dove hunters and help us enjoy our time in the field. Here are some of the latest products.

BPT PERFORMANCE TARGET | Browning

As part of their return to the ammunition arena, the folks at Browning have created an excellent dual-purpose sporting shotshell in the Browning Performance Target (BPT). Available in both 12- and 20-gauge formats, the new BPT offers 1- to 1 1/8-ounce loads of No. 7 1/2 or 8 shot, perfect for the dove field, as well as the sporting clays course. MSRP, $8. Browningammo.com.

STEEL SPORTING CLAYS | Winchester

Created with the competitive shooter in mind, Winchester's AA Super Sport Steel is the perfect choice when dove hunting requires a non-toxic alternative. These 1-ounce 12-gauge loads of either No. 7 1/2 or 8 shot clip right along at 1,450 fps. Interesting, too, are Winchester's TrAAcker target loads that let you see why you missed. MSRP, $8-$10. Winchester.com.

BISMUTH | Kent

Kent Cartridge brings to the shooting platform their latest line of bismuth shotshells. Crafted by a proprietary manufacturing technique, the line features 12-, 16-, 20-, and 28-gauge loadings throwing from 7/8- to 1 1/4-ounce of No. 4, 5 or 6 non-toxic shot. MSRP, $18-$25 per 10 rounds. Kentgamebore.com.

FEATHER SLAYER BLIND | Soar No More 

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When the doves become schooled in the art of human avoidance, nothing says invisible better than the Feather Slayer Blind from Soar No More. Built around a comfortable camp-style folding chair, the FSB can be set up in 30 seconds and offers a full 360 degrees of unobstructed viewing. Stubble straps allow for the addition of native cover. Backpack straps make hauling it a breeze. MSRP, $140. Soarnomore.com.

MODEL 1812 HUNTING STOOL | Plano 

Why stand or kneel when you can sit in the dove field in comfort? Plano has a new innovative hunting stool and field box combo. It has huge pockets, a heavy-duty carry strap, integral seat cushion and Mossy Oak camouflage. It weighs only 6 pounds. MSRP, $60. Planomolding.com.

DOG WATER BOWL | Browning

This interestingly designed combination food bowl-water dish looks more like a DVD case than it does a pet accessory, right down to the size and Cordura nylon construction. Unzipped, however, the unit unfolds to reveal two expandable bowls: a draw-string closure pouch on one side for food, and a wide-mouth container opposite for hydration. MSRP, $20. Browning.com.

REACTOR MULTI-TOOL SOG | Knives 

SOG Knives hit a homer with their Reactor Multi-Tool. Dove hunters will find 1,001 uses for the Reactor, both afield and at home. Weighing only 4 ounces, the Reactor houses 10 essential tools, including an assisted blade and rugged compound leverage geared pliers. Great for field-dressing or gathering blind materials. MSRP, $64. SOGknives.com.

A5 SWEET SIXTEEN | Browning 

Loved by many old-school shotgunners,  the Sweet Sixteen is back! Browning reintroduces an age-old favorite in their 16-gauge Auto-5. The "new" SS A5 is available in 26- or 28-inch barrel versions, and tips the scales at 5.12 pounds.MSRP, $1,700. Browning.com.

PRO-SERIES SPORTING | Mossberg 

Designed in collaboration with renowned shooting instructor Gil Ash, Mossberg has introduced its Pro-Series Sporting Model. The Model 930 Pro-Series features everything the competitive sporting clays shooter would want, and then some, like an ergonomically sculpted stock incorporating Mossberg's stock drop customization system. MSRP, $1,029. Mossberg.com.

POINTER 1000 FIELD | Legacy Sports

The Pointer Field is a new line of fine over-under sporting shotguns. Available in 12, 20, 28 and .410 gauge, the Pointer line sports Turkish walnut stocks, chrome-moly lined barrels and a high-rib for quick target acquisition. They come with five choke tubes. MSRP, $664. Legacysports.com.

VOODOO DOVE | MOJO Outdoors

Known as the founding family of spinning-wing decoys, the minds at Mojo Outdoors have redesigned their dove spinner with a larger, more realistic body, and user-friendly magnetically connected wings. Four AA batteries provide up to 16 hours of continuous use. Comes with three-section, 36-inch pole. MSRP, $45. Mojooutdoors.com.

DOVE DECOYS | Flambeau Outdoors 

There's nothing fancy or high-tech when it comes to Flambeau's dove decoys — just deception. The hard-body dove sports a foot-style clip, as well as a back-mounted eyelet for treetop-hanging. The lightweight foam decoy — 12 of them weigh less than a pound — fastens easily to fences, branches or low natural cover. MSRP, $35 for 12. Flambeauoutdoors.com.

ELY HUNTING SOCKS | Farm To Feet

Made right here in the U.S., the Ely's design enhances airflow while reducing heat buildup, keeping feet comfortable in all types of dove-hunting weather. MSRP, $23. Farmtofeet.com.

CROSSOVER SHOOTING VEST | Browning 

Created for the competitive-shooting crowd, the Crossover also works incredibly well afield. Fully ventilated for comfort, and featuring four large front shell pockets and a large back pocket-game bag, the Crossover is available in Realtree Xtra-Green. MSRP, $215. Browning.com.

BEST ADVICE EVER

"The single best tip for making crossing shots on doves came from my father during my youth. Shoulder the gun and swing through a bird in one smooth motion and follow through with a continuation of the same swing speed even after pulling the trigger. Inexperienced shotgunners have a tendency to slow down or stop their swing as they pull the trigger."  — Layne Simpson, veteran gun writer