Stupid ? about dove food plot

L

lefty

New member
I disc up about 1/4 acre and spread wheat seeds. Actually whole wheat feed. I had to use last year's wheat which was very buggy. Will doves still eat these seeds? I plan on getting fresh wheat but the feed store is sold out. I'm a bit behind the 8 ball on this one as season starts Sat. Probably be another day or 2 before I can get the fresh wheat down.

Thanks.
 
Caution

Lefty, doves are a migratory bird under federal law. Spreading seed of any type to attract doves, or any migratory bird, is a violation of the federal "baiting" law. Hunting any birds affected by that illegal field would be illegal until all "bait" has been removed. Simply put, you cannot "bring in" and scatter any food to attract migratory birds.
 
Prairie Drifter said:
Lefty, doves are a migratory bird under federal law. Spreading seed of any type to attract doves, or any migratory bird, is a violation of the federal "baiting" law. Hunting any birds affected by that illegal field would be illegal until all "bait" has been removed. Simply put, you cannot "bring in" and scatter any food to attract migratory birds.
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PD, NEVER even corssed my mind but I agree 100%. Good catch!

Lefty, listen to PD.
 
Maybe it would be beneficial to many here on the board to explain some of the problems with Lefty's plan. First, as per his post, his intent was to shoot birds over what he spread, not to grow a crop with "seed planted". Second, he spread "feed", not "seed". By definition, that is "bait". Further, he brought what was spread from outside the field. Had he grown a crop and manipulated it with some locally acceptable agricultural practice (burning or mowing possibly) he would have been alright. To exacerbate the situation, anyone harvesting migratory game birds that are available due to the influence of the "bait" are prosecuteable. So, his neighbors, kids shooting birds from the road, etc would be liable and that liability would extend back to Lefty. Federal court often deals with fines in the 4-6 figure range so this type of activity is not to be taken lightly. The field would be considered a "baited" field until after the "bait" is completely removed and there may be weeks or months that it would be beyond that if the birds are still responding to the "bait". Burned wheat fields, hayed millet fields, and mowed sunflower fields are legal and generally more attractive to dove. Folks need to understand these federal regulations and not "skirt the edges" of the law.
 
I grew up deer hunting in MN where baiting for deer was illegal so not part of tradition. Across border in WI baiting was legal part of deer hunting and thusforth part of the tradition. I don't agree with bating for deer even though I own land in WI because I did not grow up with it. With CWD now there is plenty controversy over baiting laws, etc.

In the end, fair chase is harvesting by the letter of the law.
 
After broadcasting seeds I disked over the entire field tonight thereby ensuring I follow the below plantng guidelines as required by USDA. I appreciate everyone's input both public and private.



What agricultural practices are legal for dove hunting?
Many normal agricultural operations attract doves to hunting lands. â??Normal agricultural operationsâ?� are conducted in accordance with official recommendations of U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service specialists. The following practices are legal for preparing dove fields:

Planting. Planting grain crops in a field that has been plowed and disked (including topsewn or aerially seeded wheat fields) is legal as long as seeding rates are in tune with extension service recommendations. It is illegal to seed the same field repeatedly, concentrate wheat in long rows or pile wheat on a field.
 
lefty said:
After broadcasting seeds I disked over the entire field tonight thereby ensuring I follow the below plantng guidelines as required by USDA. I appreciate everyone's input both public and private.



What agricultural practices are legal for dove hunting?
Many normal agricultural operations attract doves to hunting lands. â??Normal agricultural operationsâ?� are conducted in accordance with official recommendations of U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperative Extension Service specialists. The following practices are legal for preparing dove fields:

Planting. Planting grain crops in a field that has been plowed and disked (including topsewn or aerially seeded wheat fields) is legal as long as seeding rates are in tune with extension service recommendations. It is illegal to seed the same field repeatedly, concentrate wheat in long rows or pile wheat on a field.
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You're probably within the law based on what you have done, however there's always room for doubt.

The rules about "normal practice" are the same everywhere, I think, but it can be a close call. What we do down this way is to call the local game warden and ask him to look at the field before we shoot it. We've never been turned down, and I think the game wardens are more forgiving and understanding when you invite them to look at a field before you shoot.

The game warden's opinion is worth more than all the message board opinions.

I don't know about where you live, but down this way, shooting a baited field is something you really don't want to do. It can cost you $500, the loss of your gun, and a lifetime ban on hunting license. Scary.

I can tell you that some of the best dove shoots I've been on were on fields which had been let go to weeds over the summer and then bush hogged a week or two before the season. A field of just 5 or 10 acres of cut weeds can attract a lot of doves, especially if there are some trees and water nearby. Doves favor clean, close-cut fields where they can see around them.
 
Plant the oil sunflower seeds or proso millet and you'll have doves galore. Just try to time it to be mature a week before the dove season opens. Happy hunting.
 
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