Old reliable dove fields look pretty bleak...

[jerp]

Each of the last 10 years or so, a buddy of mine will lease 5 or 6 fields for dove season so his company can take customers (and I get to tag along after opening weekend!) All are in a triangle from Breckenridge to Albany to Cisco. We went on a scouting expedition today - checked out 8-10 fields he's leased in the past to decide which he wants for this year. It was in a word, pathetic. With the exception of one, I can't imagine any of them holding birds this year Very few sunflowers and the sunflowers we saw ran out of water and quit growing before they ever headed-out. This may be a year where hunting a tank - if you can find one with water - will be the best option.

[Low Fence]

One of mine is not leasing this year, said "wont take money for a field with no birds". I went and looked at it and it was BAD

Dont know about our Coleman lease and Santa Anna lease.

My field of Sunflowers I planted this year are horrible and have NO flowers as of now, and sorgum isn't making a head either

[Passthrough]

Im sure water will be the ticket this year!!

[TMC50]

Water wins!

[Loreva13]

Yup, it's going to be where the water is at.

[Smart]

Ours are looking the same.

Our water down south is real low as well. Hoping for some rain soon but none during late August.....

[Mudslinger]

Hunt in town. That is where all the doves are because that is where a little water is. We are covered in mourning, whitewing and collared here at the house. Had one sitting right in front of my door in the garage as I came out of the utility romm this morning, I guess he was looking for a drink. You turn on the yard sprinklers and they flock to the yard along with every other bird in the neighborhood.

[huntmaster]

it will rain the week before the season and every low spot will have water

[KHoes203]

It's going to rain two days before the season opens. But my fields are not looking to bad so far knock on wood. Went out there two weeks ago and saw a decent amount but da went last week and not so good. They have not shredded our corn yet so I am sure they will be there after that. Knock on wood again but we still have some water left on our place also. This is all in Hutto though.

[Artos]

just saying....

http://discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210976

would love to shake hands jerp!! Bring it....

[Charles]

it will rain the week before the season and every low spot will have water

and during the opener.

[acearrow]

Our place in Young Co had quite a few sunflowers in one of the fields. The ponds are still holding water. Just hope the land owner shreads the sunflowers a week or two before the season starts.

[jerp]

A game warden told our neighbor that in a year like this they will be looking extra closely to catch people baiting fields. I guess the temptation to bait grows when you've spent money to plant a dove field - or have paying hunters - and it doesn't come in.

[mjhaverkamp]

I have about 450 acres of unharvested wheat, the farmer said it was not worth it to combine it this year, the same thing happened a couple of years ago, we had dove out the ying yang, our water holes are pretty sad, may not have any by the time season rolls around.

[jerp]

I have about 450 acres of unharvested wheat, the farmer said it was not worth it to combine it this year, the same thing happened a couple of years ago, we had dove out the ying yang, our water holes are pretty sad, may not have any by the time season rolls around.

We did notice a few unharvested wheat fields as we drove around - knee high and burned up. That just might be the ticket this year if you can find one.