Creating the Ultimate Dove Hunting experience with Dove Destroyer

Tips to create the ultimate dove hunt for professionals or a weekend event with family and friends.

It all starts with the seed!  This is where Dove Destroyer has the advantage over all other seeds.  Dove Destroyer brand was selected by hunters for hunters.

IMI Sunflower Planting & Management Guide for Wildlife Plots

1. Site Selection & Preparation

• Soil: Well-drained soils (loam or sandy loam preferred). Avoid heavy clay or low, wet areas.

• pH: Ideal range is 6.0–7.5.

• Preparation: Disk or till to create a firm, clean seedbed. Sunflowers don’t compete well early on, so good weed control at planting is essential.

2. Planting Recommendations

Factor	Recommendation
Planting Dates	South: mid-April–early JuneMidwest/North: late April–mid-June
Seeding Rate	20,000–25,000 seeds/acre (about 4–6 lbs/acre depending on seed size)
Row Spacing	30-inch rows are common for weed control and hunting access
Depth	1 to 1.5 inches deep
Fertilizer	Apply similar to corn: ~60–80 lbs N/acre, 30–40 lbs P₂O₅, 40–60 lbs K₂O (adjust for soil test)

Tip: Higher seed rates = smaller heads (fewer seeds per head).Lower rates = larger heads (better for doves but fewer plants overall). Lower seeding rates can make weed management more difficult as few plants allow more sunlight into row allowing for seeds to grow.

3. Herbicide Program (IMI / Advantage)

IMI sunflowers are resistant to imidazolinone herbicides, giving you unique weed control options.

Pre-plant or Pre-emergent:

• Prowl H₂O® (pendimethalin) — controls grasses and small-seeded broadleaves.

• Spartan® (sulfentrazone) — helps suppress early broadleaf weeds and grasses.

Post-emergent (IMI-specific):

• Beyond® herbicide (imazamox) — the key Clearfield-compatible option.

  • Apply when sunflowers are 2–8 inches tall (usually 3–5 leaf stage).

  • Controls grasses and many broadleaves that would otherwise choke sunflowers.

  • Add NIS (nonionic surfactant) or MSO (methylated seed oil) per label instructions.

Only use Beyond® (or other labeled IMI herbicides) on IMI / Clearfield hybrids — using it on conventional sunflowers will kill them.

4. Management & Hunting Prep

• Weed Control: IMI program makes it easy to maintain clean rows for hunter visibility and better access.

• Dry Down: Let the heads naturally dry — doves prefer black, mature seeds.

• Field Prep for Hunting:

  • Mow or disk strips 1–2 weeks before hunting season to expose seeds.

  • Leave standing strips for cover and continued feeding.

5. Wildlife Use

• Doves: Major attraction for early fall hunts.

• Deer: Eat young plants early and seeds later.

• Turkeys & Quail: Benefit from seed availability and bug habitat in stubble.

IMI (Clearfield) sunflowers offer unmatched weed control, durability, and wildlife appeal.Their compatibility with Beyond® herbicide allows clean, huntable fields with abundant seed production — ideal for dove fields, deer feeding areas, and upland bird habitat.