Supplemental Wildlife Food Planting Manual for the Southeast

By Bill Hamrick and Dr. Bronson Strickland

Wildlife species require suitable areas to survive and increase population numbers. These areas must provide the food, cover, and water needs of different animal species. Together, these components create an animal’s habitat. This publication provides information about wildlife habitat management techniques and food plantings that will increase natural food production and supplement the diets of game species. Supplemental food plantings are not to be considered an alternative to sound habitat management practices. Management of native vegetation, from forbs (broadleaf weeds) and grasses to mature trees, impacts habitat quality much more than any food planting or supplemental efforts. This publication is written to help landowners, recreation clubs, and hunters in the southeastern United States better manage habitats for white-tailed deer, eastern wild turkey, bobwhite quail, mourning dove, rabbits, and various waterfowl species. It briefly reviews wildlife habitat and food planting management techniques to increase natural food production and supplement the diets of game species. Also, these same techniques benefit many nongame wildlife species. Information in this guide is based on proven wildlife management techniques, experience of wildlife managers, and ongoing wildlife research.

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