Dove fields have been a consistent component of DWR Wildlife Management Area (WMA) management, but changes to operations are likely to be seen in the future. Sunflower fields are often the preferred crop that hunters want to see in a dove field, but the planting costs, repeated treatments required, and DWR staff time add up to a heavy price for these small fields. Decreasing budgets and staff time, coupled with the fact that these fields are typically only hunted a few days per year, have caused a habitat management shift away from highly intensive sunflower fields.
The move to less-intensive plantings or other manipulated habitats that are attractive to doves will occur starting in 2025 and progress over the next few years. There may still be some sunflowers in certain seed mixes or the opportunity to put some cost-effective sunflower seeds into some fields, but fields planted solely in sunflowers are likely not a management focus for DWR in the future.
Dove fields at WMAs will still be managed to be attractive to doves during the hunting season, but many will also be managed for habitats that are attractive to other species during wider portions of the year and not just a few days of fall hunting. The subsequent savings in cost and staff time will benefit the overall habitat management of these WMAs.