Everyone knows that the mourning dove is the most popular game bird in Mississippi. Dove season begins another year of hunting seasons. Also, it is a big social event. Many landowners take pride in preparing dove fields for their own enjoyment and for their friends hunting on their property.
In order to have a successful dove field, one must properly prepare it. A successful dove field may be relatively small. A 10- to 40-acre field is very common. Small fields scattered throughout an area will provide better hunting than a large field. The first consideration in planning a dove field is soil type. It can vary from sand to clay, but it must be well-drained. Location is another item of concern. Doves like to feed and drink as close to their roost as possible. By locating a dove field adjacent to or close to roost trees, a source of water, or near other grain fields, one can establish a field that is attractive to a lot of doves.
Field preparation is a must. First, they must be disked. It is most important that the field be kept clean. If not, doves will not be able to find seeds and hunts will be unsuccessful. Next, one must control weeds. For recommendations relating to pre-emerge herbicide applications for this purpose, contact you local county agent.
The type of seed to use is a small, black sunflower called Peredovik. It can be obtained at most seed supply houses. It is important to use this type of seed. Normal sunflower seed is too large for doves. Planting should occur between March 15 and April 15; however, one can plant as late as June 20.
A good, firm seed bed must be prepared as for cotton or corn. Plant 3 to 4 pounds of seed per acre on 40-inch rows using cotton plates, with 7 inches of spacing in the row. A stand that is too thick will produce small heads and weak stalks and a stand that is planted too thin will produce large heads that fall over and are slow to dry. Cover the seed with 1 to 2 inches of soil. It takes between 100 to 130 days for sunflowers to mature. After maturing, they will yield approximately 1,200 pounds of seed per acre.
Cultivation is optional, but post-directed chemicals are a must. Contact you local county agent for recommendations relating to post-emerge herbicide applications for this purpose. After the plants are 6 inches in height, cultivation may be needed to bury small weeds. Do not cultivate after the plants are 12 inches in height.
The next step is preparing the field for the hunt. Approximately 2 weeks before the season opens, cut several trails through the field. However, leave the majority of the sunflowers standing to extend the life of the crop and provide cover for hunters. Normally, blackbirds and starlings feeding on mature seed heads will scatter enough seed to attract doves.
James L. Cummins is executive director of Wildlife Mississippi, a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plant resources throughout Mississippi. Their website is www.wildlifemiss.org.
