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Planting for 2016 dove season
#6114941
01/02/16 08:44 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 308
Will
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Ok, so I have about 100 acres of family land in Live Oak county. Growing up we always had great dove shooting over natural sunflowers and corn stubble that was planted on about 65 acres out of the 100.
Over the last 5 years we have converted the fields to coastal grass. It has done great, we get loads of hay multiple times a year.
As the coastal got better, the dove hunting has progressively gotten worse. The last two seasons, we have had almost zero birds.
I would like to plant some portion of the fields that are currently coastal with something to bring in birds. Not afraid to spend a few $ for good birds. Have considered the giant sunflowers, sesame, or some kind of mixed seed designed for dove.
My questions are what should I plant? When do I need to have it planted? And how many acres will it take to draw good numbers of birds?
Hoping to plant about 10 acres of something, and leave the rest for coastal hay.
Any advice appreciated
Always chasing grey bullets.
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Re: Planting for 2016 dove season
[Re: Will]
#6114985
01/02/16 09:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,177
sallysue
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Native sunflowers in April You can look up Turner Seed they have several kinds of sunflowers the hybrid are also good and they dont spread every wheres a tad higher but sorta worth it
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Re: Planting for 2016 dove season
[Re: Will]
#6115579
01/03/16 03:32 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 308
Will
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Is 10 acres of sunflower enough to draw birds?
Always chasing grey bullets.
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Re: Planting for 2016 dove season
[Re: Will]
#6115813
01/03/16 10:32 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,177
sallysue
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Re: Planting for 2016 dove season
[Re: Will]
#6115920
01/03/16 01:58 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,954
huntwest
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Native sunflowers but you need to plant them in early Febuary. They need to be in the ground for at least one freeze to do best.and yes 10 acres will make a nice little dove field. Put it in a corner with trees on 2 sides.
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Re: Planting for 2016 dove season
[Re: Will]
#6116088
01/03/16 04:00 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 308
Will
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I have wondered about the giant sunflowers that the doves can actually sit on top of and eat. Are these not better than the native type? I have seen these work well on multiple leases west of San Antonio.
Also considering the odds of attracting doves all season, and during the winter season. Will native sunflowers do this? Any thoughts or ideas on this?
Thanks for the help so far
Always chasing grey bullets.
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Re: Planting for 2016 dove season
[Re: Will]
#6116198
01/03/16 05:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,183
Mike Honcho
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,183 |
We have planted the black oil aka perdovic sunflowers, and its been stupid good. I made a post about this earlier this month native vs others. I will tell you, also factor in a glycophosphate right after planting and possibly during. Were you going to broadcast or do you have a drill? Right now i only have a broadcast, and dont know the most affective way to go with it.
“Two things that define an individual what you do when you have everything, and what you do when you have nothing."
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Re: Planting for 2016 dove season
[Re: Will]
#6116207
01/03/16 05:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 308
Will
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I believe I will either be able to broadcast or row plant. I know almost nothing about farming, the guy who does our coastal will be planting for me. I know he is able to row plant corn and milo, as well as cut and and bail our coastal. He farms for a living and lives across the road, I assume he can do whatever I want for the right $
Always chasing grey bullets.
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Re: Planting for 2016 dove season
[Re: Will]
#6116422
01/03/16 08:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,183
Mike Honcho
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,183 |
If you can row plant thats best option. Then cut strips, think senderos as season progresses. If i remember right its a huge amount more to broadcast vs row planting with a drill.
There is a fellow on here and posts in this section that id say would be a great resource. Im very curious as to what the thf experience has to share. Im wanting to plant 20-30 ac over 150 ac on our place, 4 to 6 5ac plots.
“Two things that define an individual what you do when you have everything, and what you do when you have nothing."
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Re: Planting for 2016 dove season
[Re: Will]
#6116509
01/03/16 09:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,177
sallysue
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Re: Planting for 2016 dove season
[Re: Will]
#6117023
01/04/16 01:23 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 308
Will
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How many acres of sunflower do you have there sallysue?
Are those the hybrid you mentioned. Would be interested in keeping them from spreading to the coastal fields if possible...
Always chasing grey bullets.
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