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Normal Agricultural Practices in Florida for Dove Hunting

Kalyn Waters andMarcelo Wallau

Introduction

This publication is intended to define what are considered normal agricultural practices in the state of Florida for hunters to reference for dove field management, dove hunting, and baiting of dove fields. The document outlines what are considered normal agricultural practices as they pertain to fields in which doves will be hunted in the state of Florida.

Officially recommended planting methods are based on published data from UF/IFAS and UF/IFAS Extension state specialists and agricultural agent recommendations. While weather, soil moisture, temperature, and individual production practices may lead to variations outside these official recommendations, they are not recognized as normal agricultural practices by UF/IFAS Extension; thus, they are not recognized as normal agricultural practices for migratory game bird hunting. Seeds, salts, grains, or other feeds placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered not during the course of normal agricultural practices are considered bait. A baited area will remain baited for ten days following the complete removal of all such seed, salt, grain, or other feed. The planting method, rates, and dates, among other details, must follow the steps and practices outlined in the glossary of terms.

Glossary of Terms

  • Seeding rate: The amount of seeds, in pounds or seeds planted per acre, varies by species and planting method. Recommended seeding rates are based on pure live seeds, and should be corrected based on germination and coating (if present) described in the seed label.
  • Coated seeds: Refer to seeds that have been coated with an inert material, which may include nutrients, rhizobia inoculant, and other additives. When using coated seeds, correct the seeding rate based on the percentage of coated material as total weight. Actual seeding rate=Desired seeding rate/[1−(% Coating/100)].
  • Pure live seeds: Refer to the proportion of a seed lot that is both physically pure and viable, calculated as a product of the purity and germination.
  • Germination rate: Germination is the percentage of the crop seeds in a lot that have the potential for germination. The germination rate is the percentage of seeds that successfully sprouted during laboratory analysis, which can be found on the tag of the seed purchased, along with information on purity, dormancy, weed contamination, and other parameters. Commercial seeds normally have at least 80% germination, but limits are dependent on species. Calculation: Number of seeds germinated per ft2 based on the number of seeds planted per ft2.
  • Seed not germinated per square foot (ft2): Estimated number of seeds not germinated in each square foot area. Calculation: (20% x seeds/ft2). If the seed germination rate on the seed tag from the seed bag is available and states a different germination rate, use the indicated germination rate in the calculation to determine the seed per ft2. Calculation: (1-Germination rate %) x (seeds/ft2).
  • Seeding per square foot: The estimated number of seeds that would be found in a given square foot area. Calculation: (Number of seeds per lb x lb of seed per acre)/43560 ft2.
  • No-till drill planting: Seeds are mechanically planted in the ground with a no-till drill with no need for prior tillage, such as plowing or disking.
  • Recommendations for zone: Edaphoclimatic regions (i.e., based on soil and climate) that dictate crop adaptation and production window. Some cool-season forages are not as suitable in south Florida compared to central or Panhandle areas of the state due to climatic conditions, such as varying temperatures, amounts of rainfall, etc.
  • Broadcast planting/seeding: A method of sowing seeds by scattering them evenly over an area, on top of the soil or sod; can be done into a prepared seedbed or onto sod directly for small-seeded species such as ryegrass, clovers, crabgrass, and millet. This can be done with a tractor- or vehicle-mounted, ground-driven, or hand-cranked broadcast spreader, flown on, or by hand. When broadcasting into a prepared seedbed, it is recommended to drag or lightly disk and roll with a roller or cultipacker to achieve proper planting depth and seed-to-soil contact. Rolling before planting can firm the seedbed and improve seed positioning (i.e., proper depth). In some instances, the use of livestock to trample in broadcast seed would be considered a permissible seeding practice.
  • Land preparation methods: Refer to strategies to prepare the land before planting, including mowing, burning, herbicide application, and tillage practices.
  • Prepared seedbed: Refers to soil that has been tilled before planting to reduce vegetation competition and create a fine, firm, and uniform surface for planting.

Normal Agriculture Practices in Florida

The log below can be used by hunters to track information related to the fields in which doves will be hunted. This is a log of information associated with normal agricultural practices.

UF/IFAS Extension Dove Field Planting Log for Agriculture Practices

Field Owner/Manager:

Phone Number:

Field Location:

Crop Planted:

Purpose of Planting:

Date of Planting:

Seed Tag Information (Coating, etc.):

Seeding Rate (lbs/acre):

Land Preparation Methods:

Planting Method (no-till, broadcast, etc.):

Harvest Date (if applicable):

Harvest Method:

Notes:

Kalyn Waters, UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County and Dr. Marcelo Wallau, UF/IFAS Extension State Specialist

Table 1 provides information for common crops in the state of Florida. Planting dates are listed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s defined hunting zones. These dates were adjusted to reflect environmental differences, by zone, that impact planting dates. The seeding rates, germination, and planting practices are the same, regardless of hunting zone.

Table 1. Information for common crops in the state of Florida. Planting dates are listed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s defined hunting zones.

Crop

Recommended Planting Dates by FWC Zone*

Seeding Rates

Germination at 80% Rate

Planting Practices

Zone A

Zone B

Zone C

Zone D

Broadcast (lbs./acre)

Drill (lbs./acre)

Days to Germination

Seed/ft2

Seed Not Germinated/ft2

Planting Depths

Planting Method**

Days to Maturity

Browntop Millet

Feb. 1–July 15

Feb. 1–Aug. 1

Feb. 15–Aug. 15

Feb. 15–Aug. 15

25–30

15–20

5 d

50–100

10–20

0.5–1"

Broadcast, drill

60–70

Buckwheat

Apr. 1–Aug. 1

Mar. 15–Aug. 1

Mar. 15–Aug 1

Mar. 15–Aug. 1

70–80

50–60

3–5 d

17–28

3–6

0.5–1"

Drill, broadcast over prepared seedbed

70–90

Corn

Feb. 1–June 30

Feb. 1–July 30

Feb. 1–July 30

Feb. 15–Aug. 1

0.3–0.5

8–15

5–10 d

0.3–0.5

0.1–0.1

1.5–2.5"

Drill

80–150

Grain Sorghum

Mar. 15–May 30

Apr. 15–June 30

Apr. 15–June 30

Apr. 15–June 30

10–15

6–8

5–10 d

2–6

0.4–1

1.0–1.5"

Drill, broadcast over prepared seedbed

75–150

Japanese Millet

Feb. 1–Aug. 1

Feb. 1–Aug. 1

Feb. 15–Aug. 15

Feb. 15–Aug. 15

25–30

15–20

3–10 d

49–98

10–20

0.25–0.5"

Broadcast, drill

80–100

Oats

Nov. 1–Dec. 1

Oct. 15–Nov. 15

Oct. 15–Nov. 15

Oct. 1–Nov. 15

96–128

90–120

7–10 d

29–41

6–8

0.75–1.5"

Best to drill, can broadcast over prepared seedbed

120–150

Pearl Millet

Mar. 1–June 15

Mar. 1–June 15

Mar. 15–June 30

Mar. 15–June 30

30–40

12–15

3–10 d

17–55

3–11

0.25–0.5"

Drill, broadcast over prepared seedbed

60–90

Proso Millet

May 1–Aug. 1

May 1–Aug. 1

May 15–Aug. 15

May 15–Aug. 15

25–30

15–20

5–10 d

28–55

6–11

0.5–1"

Broadcast, drill

75–90

Rye

Nov. 1–Jan. 15

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 1–Dec. 15

90–120

90–100

7–10 d

37–50

7–10

0.75–1.5"

Best to drill, can broadcast over prepared seedbed

120–150

Ryegrass

Nov. 1–Jan. 15

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 1–Dec. 15

20–30

20

5–10 d

0–162

0–32

0–0.5"

Broadcast over prepared seedbed or sod, drill

60–75

Sesame

Apr. 15–June 15

Apr. 15–June 15

Apr. 15–June 15

Apr. 15–June 15

10–12

8–10

5–14 d

38–57

8–11

0.5–1"

Broadcast, drill, or hand sow

80–100

Sorghum x Sudan

Mar. 15–June 15

Apr. 1–June 30

Apr. 1–June 30

Apr. 1–June 30

25–30

8–20

3–14 d

3–12

1–2

1.0"

Drill, broadcast over prepared seedbed

75–150

Soybean

Mar. 1–June 15

Mar. 15–July 1

Mar. 15–July 1

Mar. 15–July 1

30–100

60

7–14 d

2–7

0.4–1

0.5–1"

Drill, broadcast over prepared seedbed

60–70

Sunflowers

Apr. 15–July 15

May 1–July 30

May 1–July 30

May 1–July 30

35–40

15–20

7–10 d

2–6

0.4–1

1.0"

Drill, broadcast over prepared seedbed

90–120

Wheat

Nov. 15–Dec. 15

Oct. 30–Dec. 1

Oct. 30–Dec. 1

Oct. 15–Nov. 15

90–120

90–100

4–6 d

31–41

6–8

0.75–1.5"

Best to drill, can broadcast over prepared seedbed

180–240

Triticale

Nov. 1–Dec. 15

Oct. 15–Dec. 1

Oct. 15–Dec. 1

Oct. 1–Nov. 15

90–120

90–100

7–10 d

27–36

5–7

0.75–1.5"

Best to drill, can broadcast over prepared seedbed

120–150

Arrowleaf Clover

Nov. 1–Jan. 15

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 1–Dec. 15

8–10

5–10

7–14 d

46–92

9–18

0–0.5"

Broadcast over prepared seedbed or sod, drill

75–130

Alyce clover

Apr. 1–July 1

Apr. 1–July 1

Apr. 15–July 1

Apr. 15–July 1

15–20

10–15

7–14 d

66–131

13–26

0.25–0.5"

Broadcast over prepared seedbed or sod, drill

45–60

Berseem Clover

Nov. 1–Jan. 15

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 1–Dec. 15

15–20

10–15

7–10 d

46–92

9–18

0–0.5"

Broadcast over prepared seedbed or sod, drill

60–90

Crimson Clover

Nov. 1–Jan. 15

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 1–Dec. 15

20–25

15–20

7–14 d

52–86

10–17

0–0.5"

Broadcast over prepared seedbed or sod, drill

70–90

Red Clover

Nov. 1–Jan. 15

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 1–Dec. 15

12–15

8–10

7–10 d

50–94

10–19

0–0.5"

Broadcast over prepared seedbed or sod, drill

60–90

Subterranean Clover

Nov. 1–Jan. 15

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 1–Dec. 15

12–22

10–15

5–7 d

13–28

3–6

0–0.5"

Broadcast over prepared seedbed or sod, drill

90–150

Sweetclover

Nov. 1–Jan. 15

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 1–Dec. 15

12–15

8–12

7–10 d

48–89

10–18

0–0.5"

Broadcast over prepared seedbed or sod, drill

60–120

White Clover

Nov. 1–Jan. 15

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 15–Jan. 1

Oct. 1–Dec. 15

3–4

2–3

3–10 d

35–71

7–14

0–0.5"

Broadcast over prepared seedbed or sod, drill

25–50

Kale

Oct. 1–Jan. 1

Sep. 1–Feb. 1

Sep. 1–Feb. 1

Aug. 1–Feb. 1

2–5

2–4

5–12 d

5–13

1–3

0.25–0.50"

Drill, broadcast over prepared seedbed

50–70

Mustard

Oct. 1–Jan. 1

Sep. 1–Feb. 1

Sep. 1–Feb. 1

Aug. 1–Feb. 1

3–6

3–5

7–10 d

15–31

3–6

0.25–0.50"

Drill, broadcast over prepared seedbed

40–50

Turnips

Oct. 1–Jan. 1

Sep. 1–Feb. 1

Sep. 1–Feb. 1

Aug. 1–Feb. 1

5–6

2–3

5–10 d

8–24

2–5

0.25–0.50"

Drill, broadcast over prepared seedbed

40–60

* Officially recommended planting methods are based on published data from UF/IFAS Extension and UF/IFAS Extension agricultural agent recommendations. While weather, soil moisture, temperature, and individual production practices may lead to variations outside these official recommendations, they are not recognized as normal agricultural practices by UF/IFAS Extension, thus, they are not recognized as normal agricultural practices for migratory game bird hunting. Seeds, salts, grains, or other feeds placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered not during the course of normal agricultural practices are considered bait. A baited area will remain baited for ten days following the complete removal of all such seed, salt, grain, or other feed.

** Planting method must follow those steps and practices defined in the glossary of terms. Note: Recommended seeding rates are based on pure live seeds, and should be corrected based on germination and coating (if present) described in the seed label.

References

Ball, D. M., C. S. Hoveland, and G. D. Lacefield. 2015. Southern Forages: Modern Concepts for Forage Crop Management (5th Edition). International Plant Nutrition Institute.

Wallau, M., A. R. Blount, J. M. Campos-Krauer, M. A. Lashley, E. Rios, J. M. B. Vendramini, J. C. B. Dubeux, Md. A. Babar, C. L. Mackowiak, C. H. L. de Souza, and K. H. Quesenberry. 2024. “A Walk on the Wild Side: 2024 Cool-season Forage Recommendations for Wildlife Food Plots in North Florida.” SS-AGR-28/AG139. EDIS. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG139

Wallau, M. O., M. E. Mailhos, A. Blount, E. Rios, J. C. Dubeux, M. Babar, and K. E. Kenworthy. 2025. “2025 Cool-season Forage Variety Recommendations for Florida.” EDIS. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG271