Issue One, Volume One
Wildlife require suitable, healthy living areas to survive and increase population numbers. The living areas must provide the food, cover, space, and water needs of different animals. Together, these components create an animal’s habitat. Management of native vegetative species, from forbs (weeds) to mature trees, will impact habitat quality more than any food planting or supplemental efforts. Also, for many wildlife species, especially the ones mentioned in this publication, habitat management must include proper protection and harvest.
This guide has been designed for the Southeast to help landowners, recreation clubs, and hunters better manage populations of white-tailed deer, eastern wild turkey, bobwhite quail, mourning dove, and various species of waterfowl. These same techniques also will benefit many nongame wildlife species.
It is possible for someone without access to a farm tractor to establish a productive wildlife food plot at a reasonably inexpensive cost using the following method.
Select an area to establish the food plot. An unused agricultural field grown up in weeds and grasses is an ideal location. The area needs to be open enough for sunlight to reach the ground for a significant portion of the day. A heavily compacted area, an excessively well drained area, or an excessively poorly drained area is not suitable for this method.
In early to mid August load a large container of water, a backpack sprayer, and a container of Roundup Ultra® into your vehicle and drive to the selected location. Fill the sprayer with the appropriate mixture for the vegetation that is present (always follow label directions). Begin making sweeps across the area with the sprayer. The application will be most effective if the
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MAKE A FOOD PLOT WITHOUT A TRACTOR!
Wildlife Food Planting Guide For The Southeast
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