I've seen this happen before and I would like y'alls take on it.

Lets say there is 10 dove fields in a 4 mile area. All have about the same sunflowers, water, trees and gravel, there is very little difference in all 10 fields if any. These fields are all different sizes ranging from 20 acres to 100 acres. But 90% of the birds are in 3 fields. Why do you think that is, and have any of you experienced this before?

I see it every year. THey are a collective species just like ducks. A group will start in there and the others decoy to them. That is why decoying ducks and dove works very well.

Yea, that's sorta what I figured too. In years past when this happens and I have the unlucky fields, when the guys on those other fields start shooting it scatters the birds all around. Hopefully it happens this year cause I'm kinda thin on birds.

I'll say one thing, those other 3 fields are loaded with birds. Going to sound like a war opening morning over there. And their close enough that my guys are going to hear the shots. Hope it don't make me look too bad, but what can you do,,nothing. Hopefully they'll push some our way..

The opener being on a Saturday will help.

It might depend on where they roost. If there isn't a significant difference in the amount of food, cover, water, etc they might be hitting the closer fields more.

I have no clue really. Just a thought.

Or the busy fields might just be on a natural flyway for them.

Roost is definately a consideration, but another factor in this is natural migration patterns. Dove, ducks, and other migratory birds follow an extremely similar migrational line each year. It could be that your birds are just more used to flying over the fields you're seeing them in.

And too, like WAL said, they are a grouping species so its a few factors to consider that might all be working against you.

When the shooting starts, I'm sure you'll have birds

It's different most of the years. For many years I was the guy with all the birds on opening weekend. But for the past couple of years he's been the man. Heck, his 2 fields are 1 mile from mine, I feel certain they'll push some here.

Put some mojos in your fields.

Do not hunt your fields till after 1200pm.

anything different about the setup of the one not getting hit? alot of ants? more preditors, different soil, bug types

We have sat in a sunflower field and had very few. I look around and see them pounding the field literraly across the railroad tracks. Walk 200 yards to that field and it was on. Not much difference in the fields but they liked it better. I will say the first field was covered in ants but never thought about that.

No difference in the fields. Same dirt, same predators, no ants.

Good Luck this season Stompy

You know i hadn't thought about doing this early in the year until i read this thread. Might be something worth doing, can't hurt to try. Think maybe put em out a couple of months before season with a solar panel or something like that maybe!