Obviously larger fields will attract more birds, but even small plots will bring in a few dozen or more on a daily basis. If you time your planting right, control weeds during the summer months and offer the birds ample open feeding areas you’ll be surprised at the number of doves that utilize a single field. Dove fields that are weed-free simply require bush hogging near the beginning of the hunting season to produce an ideal environment for feeding birds. For that reason herbicide-based weed control is essential. That means the key element to any successful dove field is an open area where the birds can feed effectively and efficiently. Instead, you’ll see them picking along disturbed areas like new construction, mowed fields, gravel roads and harvested crop fields. It’s important to note that doves won’t feed on ground with heavy vegetation. Sorghum provides high-quality seeds and lots of them, and a single bag will cover an acre or more, making this an affordable alternative to sunflowers. Plus, sorghum is a natural cover plant for quail, deer and rabbits, so you will find that this plant is the perfect complement to your existing whitetail plots. Whereas sunflower seeds attract doves, turkeys, and a few other species, sorghum actually provides food for doves, quail, turkeys, waterfowl and even whitetails. For instance, Mossy Oak BioLogic’s Grain Sorghum is an effective alternative that may actually offer some advantages over traditional sunflower seeds.

Traditionally, hunters have chosen sunflowers, and there’s no doubt that this remains the most popular planting when attempting to attract doves, but many hunters are finding that a bit of diversity can actually be helpful in attracting more birds and can make your plot more versatile so that it provides feed for a number of wildlife species. Dove Food Plotsįor starters, you’ll need to provide a food source that attracts birds. When you start to plan your dove field, bear these essentials in mind. If you have all of these things then you probably have mourning doves already. In addition, the mourning doves’ needs are relatively few they require open ground for feeding, preferably with grit or gravel to help digest their diet that consists almost entirely of seeds, a place to perch and plenty of water. For that reason, mourning dove numbers have increased dramatically across the country and they are the nation’s most popular game bird. While they prefer a mix of woods and open areas, mourning doves can also be found in areas where there are no trees at all.

What Makes for Good Dove Hunting?Īs settlers began clearing forest lands to create agricultural fields, mourning doves were one of the species that profited from the change. If you have the funds you can join a private hunting club that caters to dove hunters, but all you really need to start shooting limits on your own land is a little time and effort, by planting a productive sunflower field you can bag your limits of birds day after day. There are public dove fields in some areas, but on opening morning they are invariably over-crowded. Finding a place to dove hunt in September can be difficult.

Best things to plant for whild quaik