Doves in my deer plot

[DiSc0Rd]

So i think it's probably to late to get anything planted this year to hunt doves over. However, I'd like to plant something next year. I'd like to put in sunflowers but have no way to get them in the ground everything will have to be throw and crush/ mow of I get lucky and get a cheap mower. But I digress, my question is how far do I need to put the dove field from the deer field to not spook the deer out of the food plot so early to bow season?

 

[SwampCat]

When does your bow season open. My best early season deer stand is 200 yards from my dove field. But, our deer season opens last Saturday in September and our dove shooting has pretty well finished up by then.

 

[DiSc0Rd]

When does your bow season open. My best early season deer stand is 200 yards from my dove field. But, our deer season opens last Saturday in September and our dove shooting has pretty well finished up by then.

Dove starts Sept 1 bow starts Oct 1. I have 80 acre total the middle is timber so it's open 20 timber 20 open 40 in a rectangle

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

I have zero problems establishing sunflowers with throw and mow. Or milo for that matter.

 

[yoderjac]

So i think it's probably to late to get anything planted this year to hunt doves over. However, I'd like to plant something next year. I'd like to put in sunflowers but have no way to get them in the ground everything will have to be throw and crush/ mow of I get lucky and get a cheap mower. But I digress, my question is how far do I need to put the dove field from the deer field to not spook the deer out of the food plot so early to bow season?

Are you going to put a sign up: "No deer...This field is for doves only..." ?

I'm not sure "spooking" is the right term. I've collected years of camera data on our farm comparing daytime verses night time food plot use.

This is a fairly complex chart. Just look at the yellow line and the vertical lines that show when our seasons begin. Notice how daytime use of our plots begins to drop before our archery season begins. We don't hunt doves at the farm, so it is not related to that directly. It is deer feeling the general pressure of human activity. Guys start checking deer stands and scouting in September. We don't hunt small game on our farm, but folks in the general area are in the woods more. Whether it is hunting squirrels or checking stands, it is human activity. As Archery season begins (green vertical line) the drop off continues. It becomes sharper as more hunters begin using the woods during muzzleloader season and then even more during firearm season. Notice that deer don't immediately return to daytime ue when our season ends in early Jan. The percentage of daytime verses nighttime use stays low until the middle of March.

So, let me relate this to your question. I don't think "spooking" deer is the issue where "spooking" is deer running off scared. The issue is simply more human presence in the field. Entry and Exit routes are probably more important. The increase in human pressure in their environment will change their use from daytime to night time.

Sunflowers don't throw and mow well in my soil and deer love them. I would consider planting millet with some buckwheat for your doves if you have limited equipment. They both T&M well but do best if cultipacked. Deer will use them but they are not highly attracted to them

Thanks,

Jack

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

When do ag crops come out of the field, native forage stard to dry down, and leaves begin to fall off of trees in your area?

 

[DiSc0Rd]

When do ag crops come out of the field, native forage stard to dry down, and leaves begin to fall off of trees in your area?

I'd say mid to late October depending if the temps drop. Last youth season 2nd weekend in oct the trees were still green.

 

[S.T.Fanatic]

I'd say mid to late October depending if the temps drop. Last youth season 2nd weekend in oct the trees were still green.

I should have been clear. This was a question aimed at Yoder based off of his graph showing decreased daytime pictures in food plots with the theory that it is because of an increase in hunting/human activity. There is many hormonal changes taking place in the whitetail world at that time as well as changes in the plant world that puts the deer on edge because of decreased security.