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 Millet

For more information on dove hunting in Illinois, visit https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Pages/DoveHunting.aspx.