Planting for Dove

[Dave Sikorski]

Just talked with a buddy and he's secured a lease for the year with some goose pits and duck blinds. There's also plenty of room to plant a small dove field. The Problem with the place is in the past when planting sunflowers the deer have destroyed them before the dove even get a chance. The property has some crop damage permits but not enough to keep the deer from causing trouble.

What else could we plant to make the dove happy but keep the deer away. I was thinking a big old fence too. Any thoughts on that? I'd rather not have to put a fence around 5 acres of sunflowers and such.

-D

[DILLIGAF]

Plant some maze (grain sorghum or milo). Easy stuff to grow. Doesn't take much water at all. And if you plant it here pretty quick it'll be ready for dove season.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

WILL THE DEER LEAVE ANYTHING ALONE?

[JMS-ILM]

we experimented with sesame last year.....you know, the little seeds on top of your cheeseburger bun. we just planted a little bit of it and what produced, the doves really got into it and the deer left it alone for the most part.

i dont know that it is very logical or cost effective to do so, but we have had some stellar hunts over fields of cucumbers/squash that didnt get harvested for whatever reason. once they get a little sunbaked, run the disc over them sumbitches and there are seeds everywhere. same with watermelon.

i also read an article once in our state wildlife magazine.....it seems that when the proper authorities come across an illegal marijuana field and bushhog it, it draws the doves in like nothing else. i wonder why?

[Cowboy]

I would second the suggestion for sorghum, work the ground and add some fertilizer if needed and then just broadcast the seed into it, just before the season mow wide strips for them to feed in. We use it in heavy infested deer areas and there is plenty left come dove season.

[Dave Sikorski]

Hmm....might just have to go with good ole mary jane and some milo...

Can shoot dove, get stoned, and have plenty of duck bait!!!



-D

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Hmm....might just have to go with good ole mary jane and some milo...

Can shoot dove, get stoned, and have plenty of duck bait!!!



-D

After they feed in there for a week you won't need camo. Hell, ducks will give up circling and fall right in. If they ever leave.

[JMS-ILM]

another thing we do on occasion.....but you walk a very fine legal line.....is to top sow wheat and disc it under the day before the opener. its a legit agricultural practice, but i could see possible problems if you ran into a green man having a bad day.

[matey1]

millet, milo, and sunflower are the best. just remember one thing. the dove likea clean field so you will have to spray first before planting.

[DILLIGAF]

Also soybeans are good. Plus they are short plants, so the deer won't have any cover out there, and it'd be easy to find the birds.