As dove season nears in Georgia, many landowners are preparing their fields to attract mourning doves. A properly managed dove field can provide great hunting, benefit other wildlife, and even serve as a supplemental income source. But before you plant, it’s important to match your crop choice to your site conditions — and to understand the challenges you may face.
Drought & Deer: Know Your Site
In many parts of Georgia, drought is a real concern. Crops like sunflowers, millet, grain sorghum, and sesame are good choices for dry sites. Corn, while a classic field crop, is water-intensive and not ideal for drought-prone land without irrigation.
Whitetail deer can also be a major issue. Sunflowers are a favorite for doves — but also for deer, which often devastate fields 3–5 weeks after planting. In high-pressure areas, even electric fencing may not be enough to keep them out. In these cases, more aggressive growers like sorghum or millet may be a better option. These crops can tolerate browsing and still produce seed heads.
Weed Control Matters
If weeds are your biggest challenge, corn, sorghum, and sunflowers are your best bets. These crops offer good herbicide options and can shade out many weed species. Sunflowers have a fair herbicide program but don’t shade weeds as well. Millet grows quickly but has limited chemical control options. Sesame, while drought-tolerant and dove-friendly, offers virtually no herbicide options — cultivation is usually your only line of defense.
Planting and Prep
Start with a soil test to check pH and nutrient levels. Timing matters, too:
- Sunflowers: Plant mid-April to mid-May, 1–1.5″ deep.
- Millet: Plant as late as mid-July; fast-growing (60–70 days).
- Sorghum: Plant April–August, ~15 lbs/acre.
- Sesame: Plant late April–May.
Mow strips in the field about 10–14 days before hunting season to expose seed and attract birds. Mowing in stages keeps food available longer.
Legal Notes and Long-Term Value
The Georgia DNR reminds landowners that dove fields must follow normal agricultural practices. Broadcasting seed to plant is legal — but baiting (scattering grain to attract birds) is not.
Well-managed dove fields can also be leased to hunters or used for hay or silage after the season ends. Choosing the right crop for your conditions can help you get more out of your investment while supporting wildlife and recreation.
