What Doves Love

by
posted on September 6, 2011
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bs_2015_fs.jpg (8)

The Question: What’s the best crop to attract mourning doves?

* The Disclaimer:
Many states' regulations allow you to bring the dove to the food but not bring food to the dove.In other words, you can plant crops that will attract game birds but you cannot simply throw out seed the week before the season opens.Check your state’s laws & regulations carefully before setting up a dove field.


The Choice
:
I’ve used sunflowers, wheat, and different varieties of millet, but a crop called Dove Proso Millet is my favorite.Mourning doves generally require seed to be on the ground for them to eat it so traditional crops must be cut or mowed to be effective.Proso is engineered to grow so tall that the tops bend to the ground, which puts the seeds within easy reach without manipulation.


The Expert Differal
:
William Cousins of the Whitetail Institute of North America also knows a thing or two about planting for doves. "Browntop millet or Peredovik black sunflower [arebest] ... [But] sunflower is a little more difficult to grow.So If I had to plant one it would be millet."


Does it work?

Using the same field in South Alabama,I have rotated several different crops over the past 4 years.I had great success with a mix of brown top and white millet last year but this year we planted Proso and I’ve never seen more doves come to a field.


Where will it grow?

This map provides information including planting dates for the various zones. Use your local feedco-op as a resource; they generally know what will grow in your climate.My experience is that Proso is very easy to grow: disc, broadcast seed (either by hand or mechanically), fertilize with 13-13-13 or 8-12-12 and re-disc.Now lube your shotgun and stock up on ammo.


Bonus: The Anti-Hunter Dove Hunter Myth:

Why would you want to shoot a dove? They're too small to eat.

 

The Conclusion:
You eat shrimp, don't you?

Latest

Pennsylvania Game Commissionlede
Pennsylvania Game Commissionlede

2025-26 Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird Seasons Set

Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three.

New for 2025: Christensen Arms Evoke in 450 Bushmaster

Christensen Arms has announced the release of the Evoke rifle chambered in powerful 450 Bushmaster.

Oklahoma Wildlife Commission Passes Rules for Nonresident Hunters, Public Hunting Lands

New emergency rules and resolutions for public hunting lands were approved last month by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission.

First Look: Premium and Premium Deluxe Die Sets From Redding Reloading Equipment

Redding Reloading Equipment has expanded its Premium Die Set and Premium Deluxe Die Set product lines, including over seventy of the most popular cartridges in the industry today.

Junior Hunter Gear: Get Your Kids Into the Field

Looking for ways to get your fields out from behind the screens and into the great outdoors this summer? Check out these great pieces of outdoor kit to help spur the process.

Stealth Cam Adds On-Demand Livestream

Shortly after teasing the launch of its new trail camera functionality at the 2025 SHOT Show, Stealth Cam has announced that On Demand Live Stream is available via the Command Pro app.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.