Tortuga Means Tortoise

While there could be no bigger distinction between a tortoise and a dove, the Tortuga Inn is the name of the bed and breakfast we take up residence in when on this annual hunt. After the fast and furious darting doves, the namesake of our temporary domicile is fitting considering the relaxed and laid-back nature of the lodge. Quite frankly, the accommodations at the Tortuga are quite up-scale compared to places I have stayed when traveling to hunt elsewhere. The rooms of the main lodge are themed with names like the “Equestrian Room” and the “Egyptian Room”. The walls are adorned with art, and the spaces exhibit décor matching the motif of the rooms and emanating a relaxed ambiance.

The Tortuga makes sure their patrons have ample opportunity to relax and enjoy this little piece of heaven set right next to Tippecanoe River. In addition to the main lodge, various cabins are available. My hunting compadres from the Upper Peninsula accompany me on this annual trip and take up residence in the cabin known as the German Haus. This cabin tends to become the hunting party hang-out as it sports a unique wood fire ring with an integral grill, where culinary perfection has been realized by the combination of dove, bacon, water chestnut and pickle.

The Challenge

There are few things more challenging to a shotgun pointer than a dove in the wind. These birds are amazing acrobats in flight and can maneuver in ways no F-22 Raptor has ever considered. While the opportunities abound in a place like Sandy Prairie, the shell to bird ratio remains high for most hunters. With the morning hunt running from daybreak to 10:00 am, hunters have two and a half hours to bag a limit of 15 birds. While my hunting partners and I focus more on the experience than the bag number, the fact remains that a hunter must be on their game to maximize their game bag. While I may impose personal limits on birds such as American Woodcock which fall below the allotted limit, understanding the status of Mourning doves makes me infinitely comfortable taking a full limit if the opportunity presents itself.

My four-and-a-half-pound side by side .410 bore with 2 ½ inch number 8s did a fine job on these miniature fighter jets. Perhaps the speed at which I could change direction on such a light gun was the mitigating factor, but that baby framed double got the job done quite effectively. With a limit on two of the three days of the hunt, many delectable morsels of