Where are the doves?

[Palmetto Bug]

Windy storms definitely have an effect on dove populations. Doves will try to build a nest on a flag pole. They have multiple broods each year so one storm won't ruin things but multiple storms could have an effect.

I can't convince myself that more food, more corn piles, more sunflowers, etc. would be harmful to the dove population. It may spread them out short term but overall, it would help survival for next year's breeding birds.

[ceddy]

Lots of doves just showed up in south Arkansas. We may not have water to start duck season but we have plenty of doves.

[Glenn]

https://birdsarentreal.com/

Bird drones recalled for software updates and maintenance.

[2thDoc]

The internet taught everyone how to grow sunflowers

and pigweed

[2thDoc]

and dont invite me on a dove hunt where "someone saw 50 birds" unless you need an excuse to get out of the house...

[SCSwitchback]

The internet taught everyone how to grow sunflowers

Yep. Once the secret got out that you could spray 1.5 quarts of glyphosate to the acre over your 12" sunflowers without hurting them, it was rurnt. Now you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a dove field.

[Sportin' Woodies]

Shhhhh

[Southernduck]

Windy storms definitely have an effect on dove populations. Doves will try to build a nest on a flag pole. They have multiple broods each year so one storm won't ruin things but multiple storms could have an effect.

I can't convince myself that more food, more corn piles, more sunflowers, etc. would be harmful to the dove population. It may spread them out short term but overall, it would help survival for next year's breeding birds.

You are leaving out one important facet, more hunters/more pressure. A doves survivability after having feathers knocked out is not good. Nesting issues certainly come in to play but I think pressure is a problem. They are being harrassed/shot at every mile these days

We need a 10 bird limit in a bad way in my opinion.

[Sportin' Woodies]

I agree

[Glenn]

Sounds like a prime time to start a "non profit" for dove conservation.

Who needs a hat and some dry BBQ?

[centurian]

Less grain farming and more dove fields is what i see in my area. Used to hunt a field in Polkville, NC was the only field around. Then there were several more pop up fairly close and was never the same. Next field was goood for several years and then 5 fields popped up close enough to hear shooting. This field was barely legal there was so much seed on the ground but there was millet and sunflowers planted, cut and plowed and wheat replanted. Field looked good but no birds. Been having fewer birds in that field every year even with all the seed on the ground. Eastern NC where they still have farming is still seeing a good many birds I hear.

[GBelly]

copy and paste hunters account for 78.9% of the issues with wildlife populations, public land issues, and low T

[Model12]

My field outside of Williston only has a few birds..........Have wheat on the ground........Mulched up corn.......And sunflowers..............Has been A SORRY SORRY year.......And the damn deer are sucking up my corn out there every night.

[Duck cutter]

So if we drop to a 10bird limit how many does it take for a “gentleman’s limit”?

[Southernduck]

So if we drop to a 10bird limit how many does it take for a “gentleman’s limit”?

12 you heathen

[Luvin' Labs]

They're on the 402,469 deer corn piles in the state.

Yep

[Calibogue]

Had a banner first season.
Haven't watched the field but have seen as many as 200+.....think I have enough for a Thanksgiving shoot.

[Duck cutter]

12 you heathen

So 12 is a gentleman’s limit regardless of wether it’s over or under the state limit.

Good info, thanks

[ersepton]

I saw an absolute ton of birds flying around and in the trees at my daughters barn where she rides. There is absolutely nothing there for them to eat, but they were all over both rings. This was in Taylor’s. I have never seen them before today, so maybe there’s some on the way.

[UPSTATEWATERFOWLER]

Zero in northern Lauren’s county. Had enough for a few guys to hunt two weeks ago but now they are gone.