WAHLU (Wildlife and Habitat Land Use) Development
The purpose of this page is to create wildlife habitat on the great plains. We will look at forming a development plan for the area, go thru initail cleanup of the site, look at the best and most cost effective ways to establish wildlife habitat and the equipment that we use to establish and maintain the habitat. We will be using test plots to do studies on survival and growth rates on trees and shrubs. My hope is that by sharing our experiences, we can all have more successes than failures.
Initial Land Cleanup
After purchasing a new property, the first job is to clean up the site while developing a overall plan for the site. A complete tour of the property should be done to evaluate the land potential for each area, while flagging items that need to be cleaned up. Most properties have old dead trees and shrubs that will need to be moved and can be placed as barriers to animal movements. Old fences and posts may need to be disposed of, along with old buildings and farm equipment that may be abandoned.
Habitat Development Plan
A map should be created dividing the property in areas for food plots, tree and shrub plantings, grass plantings, water managment areas. and field trails, with the species of animal or birds that you want to inhabit the areas of the property, as your basis for your plan.
Tree and Shrub Plantings
One of the first improvements to the property should be the establishment of trees and shrubs planting, as they will take the longest to develope, but are the most important item in developing habitat. Proper establishment, growth enhancement and protection tubes, weed and grass control, animal repellants and good maintance are essential for high survival percentages and fast growth rate on all your plantings. Five year test plots have been established on the properties using many variables to try and establish the best and most cost effective ways to acheive the best results. Test plot ideas and results are available on the blog link below.
Plantra Inc Growth Tubes
 |
|
CRP and Grassland Plantings
Grassland development is essential for game bird and animals for nesting, feed sources, escape cover, and winter cover. This is a major part of the habitat picture. Grasses come in two basic categories, cool season grasses and warm season grasses. Both provide different types of grass habitat and are both essential for a good balance of habitat. Many programs for planting grasses are available on a cost sharing basis thru a variety of farm programs with the Farm Service Administration and NRCS.
Equipment
A large variety of equipment is used in planting and maintaining wildlife habitat. Equipment needed could include tractor, chisel plow, disc, mower,. planter, fertilizer spreader, 4 wheelers , spray tanks, watering system and holding tanks, backpack sprayers, skidsteer loaders, trailers and a large variety of hand tools or shop equipment. Many of these items can be purchased as used equipment at significant cost saving. On our WAHLU development blog we show many of these items that we have found to be the most effective for our use. We also give you many tips and tricks that we have found workable in our experience.
2010 Foster County Conservation Award Winner
This year we were the recipients of our county conservation award. The award usually goes to full time farmers for their conservation efforts on their land and around their farm. We were grateful to recieve this award for our WAHLU ( Wildlife and Habitat Land Use) project for our efforts in establishing wildlife habitat and our youth programs. We have planted approximately 10,000 trees and shrubs on the land and are documenting 5 year test plots to establish the best ways to have high survival and growth rates for our plantings.
Our blog links on each of our each of our web pages, give continuing updates on projects and test plot results.
Our blog links on each of our each of our web pages, give continuing updates on projects and test plot results.
WAHLU Wetland Restoration Project
With the cooperation of Ducks Unlimited and U.S. Wildlife Services, I able to do a wetland mitigation and restoration project to provide wildlife habitat for use with my WAHLU Programs
Pheasant Blocks ( Winter Survival Habitat)
The Hawksnest Chapter of Pheasant Forever held it's first fund raising banquet this fall, and will be hosting a workshop for local farmers in the Carrington area in April. The purpose of the workshop is to find farmers, that are willing to dedicate 1/4 acre of land or more to Pheasant Blocks on a cost sharing basis with the local chapter. The local chapter will provide the manpower required to do the installation, along with cost sharing.
While grasslands for nesting and raising of the chicks, and food sources are major components to a population of pheasants, the most limiting factor for a population is habitat. During a severe winter, the quality of the thermal cover is critical for survival.
While grasslands and cattail sloughs provide cover during milder winters, we believe the best thermal cover during harsh winters would be a dense block of shrubs and conifers. The advantage of conifers is that no matter how deep the snow becomes, conifers provide a cover above the snow.
Establishment of Pheasant Blocks close to other natural habitat (i.e. cattail sloughs), along with a food source in close proximity to the thermal cover, is the best way to provide the needs for pheasants during severe winters. Food sources can be food plots or even artificial food sources(i.e. Millet or other feed grain bales placed at the site). The Pheasant Block plantings will include berry producing shrubs and dense conifers. The sites will utilize weed preventative fabric mats to aid in growth and survival of the plantings.
While grasslands for nesting and raising of the chicks, and food sources are major components to a population of pheasants, the most limiting factor for a population is habitat. During a severe winter, the quality of the thermal cover is critical for survival.
While grasslands and cattail sloughs provide cover during milder winters, we believe the best thermal cover during harsh winters would be a dense block of shrubs and conifers. The advantage of conifers is that no matter how deep the snow becomes, conifers provide a cover above the snow.
Establishment of Pheasant Blocks close to other natural habitat (i.e. cattail sloughs), along with a food source in close proximity to the thermal cover, is the best way to provide the needs for pheasants during severe winters. Food sources can be food plots or even artificial food sources(i.e. Millet or other feed grain bales placed at the site). The Pheasant Block plantings will include berry producing shrubs and dense conifers. The sites will utilize weed preventative fabric mats to aid in growth and survival of the plantings.
Follow us as we develop wildlife habitat by clicking here on wahludevelopment.wordpress.com Entries at the top of the blog page are the most recent, at the bottom of the page click on older posts to see older blog articles.