Conservation Corner: January 8, 2001

Wildlife Seed Available
by James L. Cummins

Whether you are a photographer, hunter or like viewing wildlife, anyone who has spent time overlooking a food plot will have a deep appreciation for wildlife plantings.

Food plots are very attractive to wildlife because they can supplement their daily nutritional needs at a low cost. These plots can be designed to serve as a source of food and cover. Well-managed food plots have the potential to increase numbers of wildlife, quality of health and observability.

To aid landowners who would like to plant wildlife food plots, Wildlife Mississippi, working in cooperation with Resource Management, Inc. and Pioneer Hi-Bred International has initiated a Wildlife Habitat Seed Program. Through this program, Wildlife Mississippi will make seed available at a minimal cost.

The Wildlife Habitat Seed Program is designed to provide an incentive for landowners to establish and maintain food plots that will yield a variety of benefits to the landowner as well as the species(s) of wildlife he or she is managing.

Winter wheat, corn, soybean, grain sorghum and sunflower seed will be available through the 2001 Wildlife Habitat Seed Program. All seed has been treated and has excellent germination rates. The seed is provided by Pioneer Hi-bred International and is distributed through Resource Management to the Foundation.

Various types of seed are available. If planted properly, they will be utilized by a variety of species of wildlife. White-tailed deer, turkeys, bobwhite quail, mourning doves, waterfowl and many species of songbirds will benefit from these plantings.

The guidelines regarding this program are simple and easy to follow. Anyone interested in obtaining seed should send a written request to Wildlife Mississippi for an order form and planting recommendations for the seed. Wildlife Mississippi will be taking orders up until February 16, 2001. This will allow the staff to place the orders in a timely manner to ensure that they will be filled.

Shipping and handling charges incurred by Wildlife Mississippi are included in the price of the seed. The costs will be $12.00 per 50 lb. bag for corn, $8.00 per 50 lb. bag for sorghum and soybeans, $8.00 per 20 lb bag for sunflowers and $4.00 per 50 lb. bag for wheat. Persons ordering seed will be required to pick it up in Amory, Greenville or Hattiesburg.

For an order form and planting recommendations for this unique program, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Wildlife Mississippi, P.O. Box 10, Stoneville, MS 38776.

James L. Cummins is Executive Director of the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation in Stoneville, Mississippi. Known as "Wildlife Mississippi," the Foundation is a non-profit, conservation organization founded to conserve, restore and enhance fish, wildlife and plant resources throughout Mississippi.