We ate them twice while we were down there as appetizers. Some of the lodges pick them up and give them to the hog farmers. But, there are only so many birds you can pick up. Some of the bird boys or field hands took home a few here and there. My bird boy said he couldn't eat another dove if you paid him and his wife would leave if he took any more home.

They don'y just lay there to rot. Most of them are eaten by the birds of prey (hawks, eagles and such) while you are still hunting. They will land within a few dozen yards of you while you are shooting and eat them. They have no fear of the gun going off.