Another situation that is ideal for dove strip installation involves a thin tree line, such as the result of a creek or a fence line separating two pastures.  In this instance, dove strips can be planted on either side of the tree line and hunted either in the morning or the afternoon.  This way, you can always hunt with the sun at your back and not in your eyes.

The Fence Line Dove Strip Design

Highline Corridor Dove Strip Design

There are a few general things to consider when planting dove food plots.  One is the availability and location of water.  If you have ever hunted a west Texas stock tank during sundown, you understand this.  Locating dove strips close enough to water sources to intercept birds traveling to ponds, stock tanks, or streams can increase hunting success in the drier regions of the state.  As you travel to the wetter regions of East Texas, however, water location becomes less important when patterning doves.  This makes food plots that much more important to concentrate doves in areas that can be successfully hunted.

Another thing to consider when planning a dove food plot is hunter density.  In instances of heavy hunting pressure, a larger planted field may make a more appropriate food plot than a dove strip.  If you day lease your property, you obviously cannot put hunters on the same tree line day after day.  For these high pressure situations, a field of intermittent dove strips separated by strips of bare ground can provide great hunting opportunities given dove populations are high enough that concentrating doves in a particular area is not a concern.

Okay, now you know how dove behavior patterns can be used to design food plots that provide more than just an abundant and palatable food source.  However, I’m sure many of you are still wondering what to plant and how to plant it.  First let’s focus on seed selection.  As I mentioned earlier, there are many food plot products out there all claiming to be the best -- so what does a hunter do?  The idea is to plant what grows well given the soil conditions of your area.  There are seed varieties made to thrive in harsh conditions.  If you hunt the piney woods region of Texas it is more than likely that you are working with acidic soils.  If you do not have the resources or time to increase the pH of your soil by liming, certain varieties of sunflower, grain sorghum (Milo), and millet are fairly tolerant to acidic soils and make great dove plots in this region.

Dove also love the sesame plant.  It produces an oily seed that attracts upland birds, but it can be hard to establish.  Sesame seeds need sandy loam soils that are moist and well drained to produce a seedling.  The seedlings are so fragile that any crusting of the soil’s surface will prevent emergence of the plant.  If you are not sure what to plant in your region go with a prepackaged blend.  Most of the upland game bird blends do well in semi-harsh conditions and will list the conditions they are best suited for on the package.  The key is to find the package accurately describing your area.  Another option is to call your local county Extension agent.  They are usually full of helpful information.

Once you decide on a plant species, it’s time to start preparing your site.  All too often I talk to frustrated hunters that do not understand why the seeds they scattered on the ground have not sprouted.  In most cases tilling or discing the ground prior to planting is critical for good forage production.  It is also advisable to mow the site, allow fresh growth to emerge on existing vegetation, and then treat the site with Round-Up® to reduce competing vegetation.  This should be done at least five days prior to discing or tilling to allow the herbicide time to absorb into the roots.

Different seeds require different methods of planting. Some do well when they are broadcast from a fertilizer spreader, while others do better planted in rows.  Some seeds need to be buried at least an inch deep.  Others do best if they are left on top of the soil and then pressed into the ground, ensuring good seed to soil contact.  Commercial food plot products come with fairly detailed instructions that should always be followed.  If you purchase more agriculturally-based seed products from a farm and ranch dealer, ask the dealer for planting instructions.  Taking a soil test before planting is another way to help ensure your food plot produces a quality stand of dove food in the fall.  Decide what crop species you want to test for, take a spade full of soil from various locations on the proposed food plot, put the sample in a bag, and take it down to the agricultural extension office.  They will print out the nutrient and pH needs of your soil in an easy to follow format -- and they may potentially save you a lot of wasted time and money.

Food plots are one of the most powerful wildlife management tools available to wild game managers today.  When a little ecological perspective is added to a food plot’s design, hunters can enjoy the benefits of increased hunting opportunity and healthier wildlife populations.  However, if you want to rest assured you have a food plot that draws in the doves ready to hunt on opening day, call the food plot installation specialists at Texas Wildlife Unlimited, and let them bring the game to you. 

-This is John Schwarzlose for the Texas Hunting and Fishing Network wishing you safety and success in all your outdoor adventures. 

John Schwarzlose
Biologist- Texas Wildlife Unlimited
john@texashuntfish.com