Food plots are valuable, but not the focus of management

Food plots have become the mainstay of many private wildlife habitat management programs over the past 30 years.

First recommended as a supplement to other wildlife management techniques, food plots have become the focus of most management programs. Now landowners and hunters spend millions on plantings each year in hopes of producing, attracting or luring more wildlife animals to their farms or lands they hunt.

The truth is that the "miracle seed" food plots many companies advertise are not the best choice for properly managing wildlife. In fact the media, seed companies and even wildlife agencies have inadvertently promoted the idea that food plots are an essential part of wildlife management. This has created a "plant it and they will come" attitude that encourages land managers to plant food plots while ignoring other critical habitat components necessary to sustain and increase the desired wildlife populations.

Even worse, it has prompted many landowners to bypass the planting process and go directly to establishing wildlife feeding stations. This provides even less habitat and further removes the landowner from implementing other land management practices beneficial to wildlife.

It is important to understand that most food plots are mainly attractants to lure animals to a specific area for viewing or harvesting. Unfortunately many people believe that wildlife like deer and turkey rely on the food plots for winter survival. This is entirely untrue.

Winter conditions in Missouri, though a hardship, are not significant enough to cause large game animals to perish. They are adapted for winter survival and can travel to additional food sources if necessary. Smaller animals like rabbits and quail may be more impacted by winter weather, but as long as they have good habitat and natural foods available they can usually weather even the most sever winter conditions.

Are food plots necessary? Yes, if used properly food plots can play an important role in managing land to improve wildlife habitat. Food plots can be used to fill gaps in the availability of certain food sources, such as providing browse for deer in the late winter months, or providing grain for quail within large areas of grassland.

An excellent publication is available on the Web at www.conservation.state.mo.us/landown/wild/landmgmt, or at Missouri Department of Conservation offices is "Wildlife Management for Missouri Landowners." It provides information on habitat requirements of common wildlife species, discusses how to develop a wildlife plan and provides references and guidelines for establishing food plots.

When establishing a food plot the first decision should be why you are planting it. The plot should be located in an open area, close to suitable woody cover. Assure that the site has access to plenty of sunlight. Correct fertilization is essential, repeat essential for the establishment and overall success of the planting.

Food plots should be accessible to the animals that will use them. Wildlife is reclusive and prefers to stay near cover.

This is even more important in the fall and winter months when the leaves are off the trees. Locate plots adjacent to areas of good cover and avoid putting them in the middle of open fields. If you are managing for quail or rabbits remember they are ground dwellers and must walk to feeding areas. Locating plots within areas surrounded by heavy grass will reduce their ability to use them.

Used properly food plots add diversity to a private wildlife management program and can enhance wildlife populations. The key is to include them as part of an overall plan.

Don't get caught in the hype of the latest wonder plant. Some products have merit for improving habitat conditions, but make sure your focus remains on providing good sustainable habitat.

Larry Heggemann is a private land conservationist for the Missouri Department of Conservation