Sunflowers and wheat are sure draws. Usually by the time we went out west to ND,SD,etc., most of the doves had already gone south.
I do recall one time in ND on the west side of J Clark Salyer NWR. There were huge fields of Sunflowers. At dawn a piper cub began to fly over the fields for hours. After our hunt we went and talked to the farmer. He told us it was the only way he could keep the Blackbirds, etc. from stealing his crop. The airplane would go one way, the large flocks of birds would go the other. It was quite the sight to witness.
When in PA, an area that was once know as the Buckwheat Capital was not far away. Had many fine dove hunts there and the birds were Deeeelicious. There were also many reclaimed strip mines, with Foxtail, grit ,and many ponds, that were open to hunting. Doves came in by the hundreds. Cover was sparse and we baked while waiting, but man was it worth it. Plus there was always water for the dogs to cool off. My partner and I missed very few days of Dove season.
Ya can't beat coming home to a dove dinner after early season dove huntin', and a ice cold beer to toast the cook and the day. That's what makes September something to always look forward to.
Appreciate the offering, but don't pass up those eastern fliers. We raise plenty of Mourning doves here so they can migrate for other hunters, just like Wood Ducks...
Thank you for the inspiration.