More than a month ago, local wildlife biologist Bob Massey gave a heads up about many public dove sites in Illinois having trouble getting plantings in.
This morning, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources sent around a fuller breakdown of what was or was not planted or what was used in place of sunflowers.
IDNR Reminds Dove Hunters to Scout Sites
Wet, cold spring delayed and canceled sunflower planting in some areas
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding the state’s dove hunters to scout sites before applying for permits as some hunting areas were unable to plant sunflowers due to an unusually cool, wet spring.
“Unfortunately, this spring’s weather just didn’t cooperate with our typical sunflower planting schedule,” said Ryan Prehn, chief of parks, IDNR. “In fact, only a small percentage of sunflowers were planted on time and, at some hunting areas, park staff were unable to plant sunflowers at all. In many cases, our staff has planted alternative crops instead.”
While dove sites will still be available, Prehn said there may not be an active crop in the fields and the agency wanted to let them know so they could plan accordingly.
“When it comes to managing natural areas, weather challenges come with the territory,” Prehn said. “When we encounter those challenges, we do the best we can, but it does mean that concessions have to be made. That’s why we’re asking hunters to scout sites before permit drawings so they know the conditions of the fields.”
As of July 1, many of the alternative crops have been plants. The sites affected by delayed or canceled sunflower planting are listed below:
Site Region Sunflowers Contingency Crop Planted
Jubilee 1 Y N/A
Snakeden 1 Y N/A
Rice Lake/Double T 1 Y Proso Millet
Matthiessen/Starved Rock 1 N Proso Millet
Le Aqua Na 1 Y N/A
Mackinaw 1 N Proso Millet
Mautino/Hennepin Canal 1 N Millet and wheat
Green River 1 N Proso Millet Argyle 1 N N/A
Morrison Rockwood 1 Y N/A
Big Bend 1 Y *Will have reduced # of spots available*
Big River 1 Y N/A
Shabbona 1 N Proso Millet
Chain O’Lakes 2 N Winter wheat
Silver Springs 2 Y N/A
Des Plaines 2 N *Site will utilize West Grounds w/ wheat planted*
Kankakee 2 N Wheat
Fox Ridge 3 N Wheat
Shelbyville 3 N Proso Millet
Middle Fork 3 N Proso Millet
Woodyard 3 N Buckwheat
Moraine View 3 N Proso Millet
Clinton Lake 3 Y Proso Millet
Iroquois 3 Y N/A
Buckhorn 4 N stick with flowers
Coffeen Lake 4 Y stick with flowers
Carlyle Lake 4 Y N/A
Horseshoe Lake SP 4 Y N/A
Pere Marquette SP 4 N Mow annual weed
Ray Norbut 4 Y N/A
Sangchris 4 N Proso Millet
Siloam Springs 4 N N/A
Jim Edgar Panther Creek 4 Y N/A
Washington Co. 4 N Proso Millet
Randolph Co. 4 Y Proso Millet
Peabody River King 4 Y Wheat
Baldwin 4 Y N/A
Eldon Hazlet 4 N stick with flowers
Weinberg-King 4 N buckwheat
Madigan 4 Y N/A
10-Mile Creek 5 Y Winter Wheat
Burning Star 5 N Mow annual weeds
Cape Bend 5 N wheat and buckwheat
Dixon Springs 5 Y Mow annual weeds
Forbes 5 N Proso Millet
Giant City 5 N Mow annual weeds
Horseshoe Lake SFWA 5 N Proso Millet
Mt. Vernon GF 5 N Proso Millet
Pyramid 5 N Proso Millet
Carlyle 5 Y N/A
Ramsey Lake 5 Y Wheat
Rend 5 N Proso Millet
Skinner Farm 5 N Mow annual weeds
Union Co. 5 N Proso MilletFor more information on dove hunting in Illinois, visit https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/DoveHunting.aspx.
