CONSERVATION CORNER
May 22, 2006
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 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 is currently available through the 2006 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, Inc. to the Foundation.

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. Furthermore, erosion can be lessened.

The guidelines regarding this program are simple and easy to follow. Anyone interested in obtaining seed should send a written request to Wildlife Mississippi. The order should contain the amount(s) of seed requested. Wildlife Mississippi will be taking orders up until August 1, 2006. 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 $6.00 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 more information about how you can take advantage of this unique program, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Wildlife Mississippi, c/o Wildlife Habitat Seed Program, P.O. Box 10, Stoneville, MS 38776.