Your dove field needs to be a minumum of 3 acres to really accomplish a decent hunt. I prefer at least 10 due to the deer population in Tennessee usually demolish sunflower plants prior to them heading out.
It is always preferred to have gravel and water nearby the field. I would suggest a couple of miles at the furthest. If you have a pond on the farm then perfect. Get yourself a load of "screenings" from the local quarry and have them spread it near the field. Doves are like most brid species and require the grit to grind the seeds in the gizzards. They will often fly between the field and the water/gravel during the day.
A roosting area that is not hunted is also a plus. If you don't have the land then don't worry. They will find a place to loaf during the heat of the day. I have some pine trees that hold a lot of doves during the day next to the field.
Try to find a flat field that is open with the fewest trees in the field as possible. One or two could be a plus if you don't have any lines stretching across the field. Remember that you will need some cover for your hunters. I usually drop a few round bales of hay throughout the field. Your local farmer might have some old useless bales he needs gone and would probably drop them off for you. Make sure to invite him to the hunt. You never know because he might have a barrel burner hunt at his place. Sometimes I plant some corn in the field and leave it standing for cover. It just depends on my mood when I plant.
It is always preferred to have gravel and water nearby the field. I would suggest a couple of miles at the furthest. If you have a pond on the farm then perfect. Get yourself a load of "screenings" from the local quarry and have them spread it near the field. Doves are like most brid species and require the grit to grind the seeds in the gizzards. They will often fly between the field and the water/gravel during the day.
A roosting area that is not hunted is also a plus. If you don't have the land then don't worry. They will find a place to loaf during the heat of the day. I have some pine trees that hold a lot of doves during the day next to the field.
Try to find a flat field that is open with the fewest trees in the field as possible. One or two could be a plus if you don't have any lines stretching across the field. Remember that you will need some cover for your hunters. I usually drop a few round bales of hay throughout the field. Your local farmer might have some old useless bales he needs gone and would probably drop them off for you. Make sure to invite him to the hunt. You never know because he might have a barrel burner hunt at his place. Sometimes I plant some corn in the field and leave it standing for cover. It just depends on my mood when I plant.
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