Conservation Corner
Seed For Fall/Winter Food Plots Available
by James L. Cummins

Anyone who has ever spent an afternoon perched in a tree stand overlooking a food plot will certainly have a deep appreciation for wildlife plantings. Even the wildlife photographer, who maneuvers silently through the thick stand of pines into an opening that was planted in winter wheat, benefits from wildlife plantings.

Food plots are very attractive to wildlife because they can supplement their daily nutritional needs. Such plots can be established and maintained at a relatively low cost. These plots can be designed to serve as a source of food and, sometimes, 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 sponsors a Wildlife Habitat Seed Program. Through this program, Wildlife Mississippi makes 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 of wildlife he or she is managing.

Wildlife Mississippi is currently taking order on winter wheat through the Wildlife Habitat Seed Program. All seed has been treated and has excellent germination rates.

If planted properly, they will be utilized by a variety of species of wildlife. White-tailed deer, turkey, quail, doves 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 self addressed envelope to Wildlife Mississippi. An order form and planting guidelines will be returned in the envelope. Wildlife Mississippi will be taking orders up until August 12, 2005. This will allow the staff to place the orders with Resource Management, Inc. in a timely manner to ensure that the orders will be filled.

There will be a fee to help cover trucking/administrative fees incurred by the Foundation. The costs will be $5.00 per 50 lb. bag for wheat. Persons ordering seed will be required to pick-up the seed at Amory, Greenville or Hattiesburg.

For an order form and planting guidelines, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Wildlife Mississippi, c/o Wildlife Habitat Seed Program, 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. Their web site is www.wildlifemiss.org.