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Q&A · Hunting

What distance should you maintain between dove and teal setups?

April 5, 2026

Quick Answer

Maintain a distance of 10-15 yards between dove and teal setups, considering the flight patterns and speed of both species. This distance allows for clean shots at both birds. It also enables you to quickly adjust to changing conditions.

Setup Distance for Teal and Dove

When setting up for teal and dove, it’s essential to consider the unique characteristics of each species. Teal are fast flyers, with a speed of around 40-50 mph, while doves typically fly at a slower pace, around 30-40 mph. To effectively hunt both species, you’ll want to position your setups accordingly.

Optimizing Setup Distance for Early September Teal

During early September, teal are often in a high-energy state, with a strong migratory drive. This means they tend to fly quickly and erratically, making it challenging to get a clean shot. At this time, it’s best to position your teal setup around 10-12 yards from the dove setup. This distance allows you to quickly adjust to changing teal flight patterns while still having a clear shot at doves.

Balancing Setup Distance for Effective Hunting

To maximize your chances of success, consider the following tips: (1) position your dove setup at a slight angle to the teal setup, allowing you to cover both species with a single shot; (2) use decoys that mimic the color and shape of both teal and dove; and (3) be prepared to make quick adjustments to your setup as conditions change. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of filling your limit with both teal and dove.

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