Imagine the thrill of watching a flock of doves descend upon your yard, their wings catching the sunlight. But sometimes, getting those doves to visit consistently can feel like a puzzle. You want to attract them, but figuring out what they love to eat can be confusing. Many hunters and nature lovers struggle with knowing which seeds and plants will actually bring in the doves they hope to see.
This is where understanding food plots for doves becomes incredibly useful. We’ll dive into what makes a dove food plot successful, cutting through the confusion. By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to create a spot that doves can’t resist. Get ready to transform your outdoor space into a dove haven!
Top Food Plot For Doves Recommendations
- 1 JUG (4.5 LBS.) = 1/4 ACRE (11,000 Sq. Ft.) - Comes in a handy reuseable container
- 2 Millets, Grain Sorghum
- Deer Browse Resistant
- Great for Creating Cover + Food
- Highly Attractive Food Source for Doves, Quail, and Turkeys
- HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS FOOD & COVER SOURCE: Designed to provide essential food and habitat from summer through winter, supporting doves, upland birds, turkey, and deer.
- 2 Millets, Grain Sorghum
- Deer Browse Resistant
- Great for Creating Cover + Food
- Highly Attractive Food Source for Doves, Quail, and Turkeys
- Specially Blended for Ground-Feeding Birds: Designed for inviting doves, quail, juncos, and sparrows to your backyard for peaceful birdwatching
- Nutritious Seed Mix: Offers balanced energy from seeds and grains birds naturally seek out and will keep them coming back for more
- Backyard Friendly: Attracts gentle, sociable ground-feeding songbirds to enhance your outdoor space
- Feeding Flexibility: Suitable for platform feeders, tray feeders, or ground feeding, making it easy to observe your feathered visitors
- Low-Level Feeding Zones: Suitable for open areas or beneath existing feeders to accommodate ground-feeding bird species
- Seed mix includes daikon radish, crimson clover, cereal grain rye, winter wheat & purple top turnip.
- Cold tolerant forage produces an organic attractant feed source for white tail bucks, doe, & fawns.
- Drought resistant clover seeds provide ground cover & aids erosion control for better soil health.
- No plow equipment or tiller needed but if used can plant up to 0.29 acre. Plant seeds via throw and grow or hand spreader before rain and plant up to 0.20 acre.
- Brassica crop will lure that booner hit list trophy buck to your hunt stand during the fall season.
- { High Yield } More flowers equals more birds is our motto for this blend! Our game bird feed mix will help you grow a dense flower area that will fill in quickly and thickly!
- { Attract and Hold } By providing flower producing plants that will continue to grow, doves, pheasants, quails, turkeys and more will not only come, but stay throughout the growing season!
- { Backed By Science } Researched in Argentina, home of the world’s best bird hunting, our Upland Game Bird Mix excelled against the stiffest of competition.
- { Grows Nationwide } Our mix of sunflower seed, white milo seed and white millet bird seed mix will grow whether you live in Maine, Texas, California, or Florida!
- { No Till Needed } Instead of using a heavy seeding machine, the Upland Bird Mix can be broadcast spread over a bareground area. We do recommend to lightly cover up the seed to maximize growing!
- NUTRITIOUS & DELICIOUS - Throw & Gro contains a mixture of tetraploid ryegrass, forage clovers, and brassica selected to give your herd a fast-growing food source that's filled with vital protein and minerals; You will receive sweet, fast-growing forage
- THE PERSONAL PLOT FOR DEER - This product from Evolved Habitats can be used to create your own personal, out-of-the-way food plot for deer; These nutritious plants can be grown with zero tilling, which saves you time and energy
- NO-TILL FORMULA - This no-till forage can be planted without disking or heavy equipment, which increases your planting area options to include those spots you thought were out of reach; Throw and grow food plot that is easy to plant and grows quickly
- EASY-TO-PLANT - Spread the seeds evenly over the prepared area at the rate of 5 lbs per 1/4 acre; If the ground has not been broken with machinery, dragging the plot with fencing will help ensure ground contact with the seed
- TIME TO USE - Throw & Gro can be planted in Spring to increase protein levels available to your herd in the vital growing months; It's also perfect for planting during the Fall - once established, it'll provide tons of forage to help your herd through stressful seasons
Your Guide to the Best Dove Food Plots
Creating a great food plot for doves is like setting a delicious buffet for your feathered friends. It brings them to your property, keeps them happy, and makes for excellent hunting opportunities. But with so many options, how do you pick the right seeds? This guide will help you choose the best food plot mix to attract and hold doves.
1. Key Features to Look For
When choosing dove food plot seeds, think about what doves love to eat.
- Seed Size and Type: Doves prefer small seeds they can easily pick up. Look for mixes with millets, sunflowers, sorghum (milo), and native grass seeds. These are their favorites.
- Fast Growth: You want seeds that sprout quickly. This gives doves food sooner and helps your plot establish before the hunting season.
- Drought Tolerance: Not all areas get enough rain. Seeds that can survive dry spells are a big plus. They won’t fail if you have a dry summer.
- Attractiveness to Other Wildlife: While you’re focused on doves, a good plot can also attract other animals like quail or even deer. This is a bonus!
- Ease of Planting: Some seed mixes are easier to sow than others. Look for options that don’t require special equipment.
2. Important Materials
The “materials” for a dove food plot are the actual seeds themselves.
- Millet: This is a top choice for doves. It produces abundant small seeds that are easy for them to eat.
- Sorghum (Milo): Milo is another excellent seed. Its larger seeds are also a favorite, and it grows well in many climates.
- Sunflowers: Doves love sunflower seeds, especially smaller varieties. They provide good energy.
- Buckwheat: This plant grows fast and produces small seeds. It’s great for a quick food source.
- Corn: While doves will eat corn, it’s often too large for them to handle easily. Smaller grains are usually better.
- Legumes (like Egyptian Wheat or Cowpeas): These can provide food and also help improve the soil.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of your dove food plot depends on several things.
- Seed Mix Quality: High-quality seeds are more likely to sprout and produce a good harvest. Look for reputable brands.
- Soil Preparation: Good soil is crucial. Tilling the ground and adding fertilizer if needed will help your seeds grow strong. Poor soil means fewer plants.
- Sunlight: Doves need open, sunny areas. Too much shade will prevent many plants from growing well.
- Water: Adequate rainfall or irrigation is vital, especially when seeds are germinating.
- Timing: Planting at the right time of year for your region is important. This ensures the plants have enough time to mature before hunting season.
- Pest Control: Birds, insects, and rodents can eat your seeds or young plants. Protecting your plot can improve its quality.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Using a dove food plot is a rewarding experience for hunters and nature lovers.
- Hunting: The primary use is to attract doves for hunting. A well-planned plot concentrates birds, making for better shooting opportunities.
- Bird Watching: Even if you don’t hunt, a food plot is a fantastic way to observe doves and other birds up close. You’ll see them feeding and interacting.
- Habitat Improvement: Food plots provide essential food and cover for doves, helping to support local populations.
- Easy Setup: Many seed mixes are designed for simple planting. You can often broadcast them by hand or with a spreader.
- Long-Lasting Food Source: A successful plot can provide food for doves throughout the fall and winter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Dove Food Plots
Q: What are the best seeds for a dove food plot?
A: The best seeds are small grains like millet, sorghum (milo), and small sunflowers. Buckwheat is also a good option.
Q: How much seed do I need for my food plot?
A: The amount of seed depends on the size of your plot. Check the seed bag for recommended planting rates.
Q: When should I plant my dove food plot?
A: Plant in late spring or early summer, about 6-8 weeks before you want the seeds to be ready for doves. This gives them time to grow.
Q: Do I need to till the soil before planting?
A: Yes, tilling helps loosen the soil and makes it easier for seeds to sprout. It also removes weeds.
Q: Can I just throw the seeds on the ground?
A: Broadcasting seeds on prepared soil is common. You should lightly cover them with soil for best results.
Q: What if it doesn’t rain after I plant?
A: If possible, water your plot. If not, choose drought-tolerant seeds and hope for the best. Some rain will eventually come.
Q: How do I keep birds from eating all the seeds before they grow?
A: This is tough! Planting a larger amount of seed helps. Some people use scare tactics, but doves are persistent.
Q: Can I plant a food plot in a shady area?
A: Doves prefer open, sunny spots. While some plants might grow in partial shade, a sunny location is much better for a successful plot.
Q: How long will a dove food plot last?
A: A well-established plot can provide food for doves for several months, especially if it produces a good seed crop.
Q: Can I mix different types of seeds for my food plot?
A: Yes, mixing different seeds can provide a varied diet for doves and help the plot grow in different conditions. Just make sure they are all suitable for doves.