I have talked about planting a few strips maybe 1000 yds long and each about two tractor widths wide with rows of CRP in between the strips for dove hunting this coming season. I grew up in south Georgia and we had plenty of birds to hunt over peanut fields, but I was thinking of planting Sunflowers, grain sorghum and maybe millet. Anyone have any suggestions on what to plant and when I need to plant it in order to have it ready for dove season. I just don't want to let that window of opportunity slip by me this year. Any other suggestions are also welcome.

I'd plant 3 strips of millet 20 days apart. by the time you plant the 3rd row the 1st row will be ready to bush hog. 20 days later cut the 2nd row and disc and replant the 1st row. 20 days later cut the third row and disc and plant the 2nd row..... this way there is always seed on the ground and standing crop I'd start 2 months minimum preferably 3 months before season.

We usually start planting in May then stagger a few more in thru June. Brow top, Proso millet and sorghum work the best for us. Deer eat the sunflowers to quick. Whole kernel corn is too large for our birds. Plant in strips and keep the unplanted strips bare. Doves like to land on clean ground where they can see.

I’m going to try this on two of our food plots this year since we don’t plant until the end of October.

Proso millet is the way to go. It’s a bigger hardier seed. It’s white also and I believe birds pick it up better.

I've got the same question. Have access to about a 3-4 acre field in Baldwin County. was wondering how much, what, and when would I need to plant to have something for 5-6 people to hunt, but not too big that it wouldn't work for 2-3 people.

Proso Millet is the best

Top-Sew Wheat on Plowed Ground in September/October.......much more economical....

It works. Til it rains.

Crabgrass is often overlooked. I know in the corn fields I have hunted in the past the dove key in on the crabgrass.

I grew pumpkins one year and the only grass growing was crabgrass, we had a heck of a shoot for several weekends.

Our best field of planted stuff was a several row rotation of corn, peas, several millets and sorghum. Planted early and started by bush hogging the millets and leaving the corn standing for cover.

Should your top-sewn wheat get rained on.....when it dries enough....get back out there and disk it again....put out fresh wheat. Wheat is CHEAP...

I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer, but that's not legal, per state law.

I like the roasted wheat George Kelly in Faunsdale sells..

do they still sell roasted wheat in faunsdale?

What can you spray on BTM for grass competition?

Not a thing.

Game warden told me the best way to top sew wheat and be legal was to plant one strip every week.
You are correct though, can’t disk it under and start over “legally”.

Good advice. That’s what I do. Small strips at a time

This makes it sound like as long as it's a "prepared" seed bed, you're legal.

https://www.outdooralabama.com/mourning-dove-hunting-alabama/dove-field-planting-guidelines

Well, I am probably behind on the time to get the seed in the ground but I am planting 3 strips 30' x 2400' with a buffer in between them of about 30'. Going to plant brown top millet and Sorghum. Just bushhogged strips yesterday and will be turning the dirt as soon as I can get back to it. Decided to only put out 200lbs fertilizer per acre. Hoping that will be enough. Saw about 20-30 birds just a day after bushhogging so it should attract some birds by the time the season arrives. I have not been on a good dove shoot in over 30 years.