Sunflowers are an effective crop for attracting and feeding doves, providing a rich, high-energy food source. The seeds are particularly attractive due to their high oil content, which delivers concentrated calories necessary for migration and daily activity. Doves are ground feeders, consuming seeds that have fallen to the soil surface. Successful cultivation relies heavily on specific planting and field management techniques, differing significantly from commercial crop production.
Selecting the Best Sunflower Varieties and Site Preparation
Selecting the right sunflower variety is the first step in creating a successful dove field; oilseed varieties are generally preferred over confectionary types. Black oilseed sunflowers, such as ‘Peredovik,’ produce smaller seeds that are easier for doves to consume and contain a higher percentage of oil, translating to greater caloric value. Confectionary varieties, with their larger, often striped seeds, are typically too big for a dove’s bill.
The planting site requires full, direct sun exposure for at least eight hours each day to support the tall, seed-heavy plants. Sunflowers tolerate a range of soil types but perform best in moderately-drained sandy or silt loam soils. Avoid poorly drained fields that retain standing water, as sunflowers are susceptible to damage from waterlogged conditions. Soil preparation involves ensuring a firm seedbed, achieved through disking and rolling, or by allowing tilled soil to settle for a couple of weeks before planting.
Planting Techniques for Optimal Dove Fields
Timing the planting depends on the local climate and desired maturity date. The goal is to have mature, dry seeds available before the dove season opens, which typically requires a 90 to 120-day growing period. Planting should occur after the last hard frost, often in late April or early May, when soil temperatures are reliably above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Seeds should be placed at a shallow depth of one to one-and-a-half inches in moist soil for proper germination.
Seeding density for a dove field is often higher than commercial rates to maximize the number of seed-producing heads. Recommended planting rates for oilseed varieties are typically between five and six pounds per acre when using a row planter or drill, aiming for 18,000 to 30,000 plants per acre. If a soil test is unavailable, a balanced fertilizer like 200 pounds per acre of 12-12-12 can be applied at planting to provide necessary nutrients for robust growth.
Mid-Season Care and Weed Management
Effective weed control is necessary because doves require bare ground to feed. Dense weed growth can choke young sunflowers and prevent birds from accessing fallen seeds later in the season. A pre-emergent herbicide application immediately after planting establishes a clean seedbed and gives sunflowers a competitive advantage. Once established, shallow cultivation between rows can manage later weed growth until the canopy shades out competing vegetation.
Watering is important during dry periods, particularly when the plants are young and during the flowering and seed-filling stages. While sunflowers are relatively drought-tolerant once mature, consistent moisture supports the largest possible seed heads. Monitoring for pests, such as sunflower head moths, is advisable, as these insects can reduce seed yield. Insecticides must be carefully considered to avoid harming beneficial insects.
Timing the Field Preparation for Dove Feeding
The final step is field preparation, converting the standing crop into an accessible feeding area for doves. Sunflowers are mature and ready for manipulation when the back of the seed head turns brown and begins to droop, and the seeds are dry and black. This usually occurs in late summer, about two to three weeks before the expected dove season opener.
The preferred method is manipulating the crop in strips by mowing or light discing, which legally scatters mature seeds onto the bare ground where doves feed. Mowing strips with a brush hog or rotary cutter breaks up the heads and drops seeds. Discing incorporates some seeds and litter into the soil, creating more bare patches. A successful strategy involves mowing alternating strips every one to three weeks leading up to and during the season. This provides a continuous source of fresh seed and prevents the entire field from being stripped too quickly. Leaving some standing strips also offers cover for hunters and a late-season food reserve.