WILDLIFE OPENINGS AND FEED PLOTS FOR WILDLIFE

As promised, we will continue to share information that we find interesting with our customers, suppliers, and friends.

A fair number of our customers enjoy watching wildlife on their property whether it is songbirds, whitetail deer, or wild turkey. Part of a forest management plan is maintaining a diverse environment for wildlife to feed, rest, courtship behavior, nesting and brood rearing. An important part of that environment is a wildlife opening or a feed plot. First review the type(s) of wildlife that you want to attract to your property and what is needed to help them throughout the year. Consult with your forester and an Extension Wildlife Specialist as to what types of habitat need to be changed or upgraded to attain your wildlife goals. Most people suggest upgrading an existing opening before adding an opening. A general rule of thumb is 3 to 5 acres of opening/feed plot per 100 acre of forest. A long linear or irregular shape opening is recommended to offer the most "edge" for species. "Edge" is defined as a key piece of wildlife habitat in which two timber types, age classes of timber or habitat types, come together thus providing a variety of options in regards to food, shelter and water.

To start your feed plot for wildlife, test your soil for pH and fertility. Then determine the amount of lime and fertilizer that will be needed to upgrade your feed plot. Your Extension Wildlife Specialist will advise you of the mix of forages to plant. The photo at left is a sample of oats and broadleaf forage that will attract wildlife in the fall. The white oaks in the photo below were left in a food plot to provide acorns, a valuable hard mast food source for turkey, deer and many other species using the area.

Landowner assistance is also provided at the USDA's Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, also known as WHIP. To learn more visit their website at www.nh.nrcs.usda.gov/, then click on Programs. This site is specific to New Hampshire, if you live in another state it is easy to find your info from that page.

Special thanks to Matt Tarr, UNH Cooperative Extension Wildlife Specialist, for his assistance with information for this article. You can learn more about wildlife openings by visiting www.whitetailstewards.com or www.nwtf.org.

Your friends in the forest,
Fort Mountain Companies and JC Eames Timber Harvesters