Birds need seed-producing plants, and a well-planned plot can bring dove, quail and pheasant to your property. Tecomate Upland Game Bird Tecomix food plot seed is a summer blend of Argentine hybrid sunflower, millet and hybrid white grain milo formulated to attract, hold and feed game birds into the fall and winter. It also draws turkeys. Here is how it works and how to plant it.
What is Upland Game Bird Tecomix?
Tecomate developed this mix as its first venture away from deer management, modeled after bird hunting grounds in Argentina. Their wildlife biologist and agronomist combined hybrid sunflower from Argentina, millet from the western U.S. and hybrid white grain milo from Texas.
Each crop has a job. Sunflowers and milo bring in migratory white-winged and mourning dove, quail thrive on the grain-producing millet and milo, and pheasants make their home in the low-tannin milo and sunflower. Growing the three together provides more cover and variety than any single crop. Tecomate notes the blend provides nutrition, attraction and habitat for all classes of North American game birds, and that it works throughout the country in all zones, East and West.
Key features of this game bird food plot seed
- Abundant seed production: lots of seed, lots of birds
- Attracts and holds dove, quail and pheasant, plus turkey and other birds
- Fast growing and long lasting
- Grows nationally in all zones, East and West
- Provides food, cover and habitat in one planting
- Contents: sunflower seeds, white milo, white millet seed (20 lb bag)
When to plant a dove food plot
Planting time: all zones, spring, anywhere ground temperature is above 68°F.
Timing matters for a seed crop. Tecomate advises planting early enough for the seed to mature, which typically takes about 100 days. Tecomate notes the mix was originally produced with a Labor Day dove hunt in mind, so if that is your goal, count back from your hunt date.
How to plant Upland Game Bird Tecomix
Seeding rate: 20 lbs. plants 1 acre.
Planting depth: 1/2 to 1 inch, in good moisture.
Fertilizer: the label lists a balanced fertilizer such as 13-13-13 at 250 lbs. per acre. Tecomate's planting suggestions also mention liming if pH is below 5.8.
- Choose a sunny location and disk to a clean, level, firm seedbed with an implement like the Impact Implements ATV/UTV disc harrow.
- No-till drill, cultivate and broadcast, or cultivate and drill.
- When broadcasting, cover seed by dragging, cultipacking or lightly disking. The Impact Implements cultipacker firms the seedbed and improves seed-to-soil contact.
One bag covers an acre, so order a 20 lb bag of Upland Game Bird Tecomix for each acre of bird plot.
Tips for bird plots
- Plant near edges and brushy cover where quail feel safe.
- Leave part of the plot standing into fall and winter so birds still have food and cover after the early hunts.
- Consider strip planting so you have food standing next to open ground birds can walk and feed on.
- Always check state and federal regulations on hunting over planted or manipulated fields, especially for dove, before you hunt the plot.
Want a warm-season plot that feeds deer and turkey alongside birds? See Lablab Plus. Browse our spring and summer seed mix collection or all food plot seed.
Frequently asked questions
What birds does Upland Game Bird Tecomix attract?
It is formulated for dove, quail and pheasant, and Tecomate lists turkey and other birds as well.
How long until the seed matures?
Typically about 100 days, so plant early enough in spring for the seed heads to mature.
How much do I plant per acre?
20 lbs. plants 1 acre, at a depth of 1/2 to 1 inch.
Bring birds to your land: shop Tecomate Upland Game Bird Tecomix food plot seed. More articles are on our blog. Questions? Contact us.