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

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

Is 10 acres of sunflower enough to draw birds?

yes

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.

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

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.

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 $

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.

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...