JD, you mention planting on an area that is typically hay pasture. You will want and need to have bare dirt underneath any crop you plant if you want to maximize your dove attraction. Do you have a way of spraying the field before planting? Gly at the very least after discing and before planting. Even better if you use pre emergent or post. For milo you can do post emergent using prowl h2o which is pendimethalin after milo is a certain height. For clearfield sunflowers you can use Beyond which treats broadleaf and grass or a clethodim product like Poast which only kills grass. If you plant say milo and the old hayfield sprouts up crabgrass, Johnson grass, etc it will be a losing battle and will never attract birds like bare ground underneath could. For the sesame growers, beware of the standard non shattering varieties that are available every where. Have planted last 2 years and dissapointed. Most seeds still in pods and never burst open. Get a shattering variety like Blanco, Margo, Dulce and you will have a constant supply hitting the ground for the dove. If you have the ability to plant any of the crops in rows then so much the better as its easier to spray and keep bare ground underneath open. If you have to broadcast that is fine but don't get carried away putting out too much. Plants will compete for limited moisture in the summer and not have good seed production if too thick. For a big 10 ac field like you want to do I think milo would be great and bush hog strips throughout the season. Whatever you decide to plant good luck and have much sucess
Planted for dove in Washington county, near the lake. The deer kept my sunflowers and milo eaten back to about 3/4” above ground. Waste of time and money.
It’s hog-proof, deer-proof, cattle don’t like it, horses won’t eat it — and it doesn’t appeal to sheep either. Disease pressure is infrequent and yield potential is good with as little as 12 inches of water.
Best dove hunts I’ve been on in recent years have been on a freshly harvested Sesame field. Not sure on the timing, though, as those hunts were during the after-Christmas part of the season.
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