Food plot: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Wildacker in Ganderkesee.jpg|thumb|Food plot in Germany]] |
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{{Unreferenced|date=February 2007}} |
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A '''food plot''' is a planted area set aside to act as a food source for wildlife. The term was coined by the [[United States|U.S.]] hunting and outdoor industries |
A '''food plot''' is a planted area set aside to act as a supplementary food source for [[wildlife]]. The term was coined by the [[United States|U.S.]] hunting and outdoor industries and food plots are most commonly planted for game species. |
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Food plot crops generally consist of but are not limited to [[legume]]s (clovers, alfalfa, beans, etc.), [[Food grain|grains]], or certain [[wildflower]]s. The plants may be annual or perennial and specific recommendations for local varieties that perform best in your area for specific wildlife species are often available. <ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last1=Wallau|first1=M.|last2=Blount|first2=A. R.|last3=Campos Krauer|first3=J. M.|last4=Lashley|first4=M. A.|last5=Rios|first5=E.|last6=Vendramini|first6=J. M. B.|last7=Dubeux|first7=J. C. B.|last8=Babar|first8=Md. A.|last9=Mackowiak|first9=C. L.|last10=Quesenberry|first10=K. H.|date=2021-10-18|title=A Walk on the Wild Side: 2021 Cool-Season Forage Recommendations for Wildlife Food Plots in North Florida|journal=EDIS|volume=2021|issue=5|doi=10.32473/edis-ag139-2021|s2cid=239258913 |issn=2576-0009|doi-access=free}}</ref> In agricultural areas, food plots may be planted in fields after the crop has been harvested, and left standing through the fall, winter, and early spring for the use of wildlife.<ref name = "Indiana">{{cite web|title=Wildlife Food Plot Program Job Sheet - Indiana, June 2012|work=United States Department of Agriculture}}</ref> |
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Most products used for food plots are or were derived from agricultural variants of forages. The oldest company to start developing products for food plots is the [http://www.whitetailinstitute.com/ Whitetail Institute of North America] in 1988. |
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In some cases farmers and landowners may be reimbursed by the government for providing food plots that meet government specifications.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gf.nd.gov/private-land-programs/plots/landowner/program1|title=Wildlife Food Plot Program|work=North Dakota Game and Fish Department|accessdate=25 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915091712/http://gf.nd.gov/private-land-programs/plots/landowner/program1|archive-date=15 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Among other considerations, a food plot should be located close to a source of cover for the animals, and it should be only one part of a comprehensive habitat management program.<ref name="Tennessee">{{cite book|last=Harper|first=Craig A.|title=A Guide to Successful Wildlife Foot Plots|url=http://www.bearsmart.com/docs/WildlifeFoodPlots.pdf|year=2008|publisher=University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture}}</ref> Ideally a food plot should be small (2 to 4 acres), irregularly shaped, and located away from roads.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/wildlife/wildlife_food_plots.pdf|title=Wildlife Food Plots in Northern Minnesota|work=Division of Fish and Wildlife|publisher=Minnesota Department of Natural Resources|accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref> A variety of cool-season grasses and [[forb]]s can be used to attract and enhance nutrition of multiple game species simultaneously when mixed according to recommendations. <ref name=":0" /><ref name="Tennessee" /> |
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Food plots differ from [[revegetation]], which is intended to stabilize and rebuild the soil of disturbed land using naturally growing grasses, legumes, shrubs, and trees. Food plots are intended to feed wildlife rather than rebuild the soil, and generally use agricultural forages rather than native or naturally occurring plants. The oldest company to start developing products for food plots is the Whitetail Institute of North America in 1988. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whitetailinstitute.com/|title=Website|work=Whitetail Institute of North America|accessdate=25 August 2015}}</ref> |
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Food plots generally differ from a similar planting called re-vegetation. Re-vegetation generally refers to planting naturally growing grasses, legumes, shrubs, and trees. Food plots will provide higher nutritional value plants than what nature has supplied, therefore a higher density and diversity of animals will thrive near a food plot. |
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Food plots can greatly increase the wildlife [[carrying capacity]] of a particular ecosystem, enhancing opportunities for hunting or wildlife viewing. Target animals include [[Whitetail deer]], [[Bear]], [[Moose]], [[Rabbit]], [[Woodchuck]], [[Deer]], [[Wild turkey]], [[Grouse]], and [[Songbird|songbirds]].<ref name = "Indiana" /> |
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{{Commons category|Food plots}}<br /> |
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{{Portal|Agriculture}} |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==Target animals== |
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*[[Whitetail deer]] |
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*[[Turkey]] |
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*[[Bear]] |
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*[[Moose]] |
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*[[Rabbit]] |
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*[[Songbird|Song birds]] |
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*[[Grouse]] |
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*[[Woodchuck]] |
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*[[Deer]] |
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*[http://www.foodplots.com/pages/food-plots/articles/the-ultimate-food-plot The Ultimate Food Plot] |
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*[http://myfoodplots.com/foodplotsearch.aspx Food Plot Search] |
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*[http://www.deerfoodplots.org/ Deer Food Plots] |
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*[http://www.buckmanager.com/category/food-plots/ Food Plots for Deer Management] |
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*[http://www.whitetailinstitute.com/ Whitetail Institute of North America] |
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*[http://www.mossyoakbiologic.com/home.asp?section=home Mossy Oak Biologic] |
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*[http://www.tecomate.com/system.cfm Tecomate] |
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*[http://www.qdma.com Quality Deer Management Association] |
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*[http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/ Ruffed Grouse Society] |
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*[http://www.nwtf.org/ National Wild Turkey Federation] |
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*[http://www.foodplotforum.com/ Food Plot Forum] |
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*[http://northcountrywhitetails.com/ncw/newindex.tpl NorthCountry Whitetails Inc.] |
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*[http://www.critterfoods.com Wildlife Habitat Consultants] |
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*[http://www.whitetailstewards.com/homepage/homepage.htm Whitetail Stewards Inc.] |
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*[http://www.moultriefeeders.com/Articles/FoodPlots/SuccessfulFoodPlots.htm Food Plot Tips] |
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*[http://www.outdoorsmansupply.com/store/foodsuphowto.asp How to Plant] |
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[[Category:Ecology terminology]] |
[[Category:Ecology terminology]] |
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[[Category:Habitat]] |
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[[Category:Wildlife conservation]] |
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Latest revision as of 16:36, 4 July 2024
A food plot is a planted area set aside to act as a supplementary food source for wildlife. The term was coined by the U.S. hunting and outdoor industries and food plots are most commonly planted for game species.
Food plot crops generally consist of but are not limited to legumes (clovers, alfalfa, beans, etc.), grains, or certain wildflowers. The plants may be annual or perennial and specific recommendations for local varieties that perform best in your area for specific wildlife species are often available. [1] In agricultural areas, food plots may be planted in fields after the crop has been harvested, and left standing through the fall, winter, and early spring for the use of wildlife.[2]
In some cases farmers and landowners may be reimbursed by the government for providing food plots that meet government specifications.[3] Among other considerations, a food plot should be located close to a source of cover for the animals, and it should be only one part of a comprehensive habitat management program.[4] Ideally a food plot should be small (2 to 4 acres), irregularly shaped, and located away from roads.[5] A variety of cool-season grasses and forbs can be used to attract and enhance nutrition of multiple game species simultaneously when mixed according to recommendations. [1][4]
Food plots differ from revegetation, which is intended to stabilize and rebuild the soil of disturbed land using naturally growing grasses, legumes, shrubs, and trees. Food plots are intended to feed wildlife rather than rebuild the soil, and generally use agricultural forages rather than native or naturally occurring plants. The oldest company to start developing products for food plots is the Whitetail Institute of North America in 1988. [6]
Food plots can greatly increase the wildlife carrying capacity of a particular ecosystem, enhancing opportunities for hunting or wildlife viewing. Target animals include Whitetail deer, Bear, Moose, Rabbit, Woodchuck, Deer, Wild turkey, Grouse, and songbirds.[2]
In 2001 the United States Fish and Wildlife Service announced that 8.7 million people across the country maintained some sort of planting for the sole benefit of wildlife. This group of people spent $699 million on these plantings.
External links
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Wallau, M.; Blount, A. R.; Campos Krauer, J. M.; Lashley, M. A.; Rios, E.; Vendramini, J. M. B.; Dubeux, J. C. B.; Babar, Md. A.; Mackowiak, C. L.; Quesenberry, K. H. (2021-10-18). "A Walk on the Wild Side: 2021 Cool-Season Forage Recommendations for Wildlife Food Plots in North Florida". EDIS. 2021 (5). doi:10.32473/edis-ag139-2021. ISSN 2576-0009. S2CID 239258913.
- ^ a b "Wildlife Food Plot Program Job Sheet - Indiana, June 2012". United States Department of Agriculture.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Wildlife Food Plot Program". North Dakota Game and Fish Department. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ a b Harper, Craig A. (2008). A Guide to Successful Wildlife Foot Plots (PDF). University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.
- ^ "Wildlife Food Plots in Northern Minnesota" (PDF). Division of Fish and Wildlife. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "Website". Whitetail Institute of North America. Retrieved 25 August 2015.