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CONSERVATION CORNER
(For the week of January 12, 2009)
Seed Available For Wildlife
by James L. Cummins

Whether you are a photographer, a hunter or just 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 enthusiasts because they can supplement 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 wildlife population, their quality of health and observability.

To aid landowners who would like to plant wildlife food plots, Wildlife Mississippi is continuing its 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 of wildlife he or she is managing.

Corn, soybean and grain sorghum will be available through Wildlife Mississippi's Spring 2009 Wildlife Habitat Seed Program. All seed has been treated and has good germination rates. The seed is provided by Pioneer Hi-bred International and is distributed through Resource Management to Wildlife Mississippi.

If planted properly, the various types of seed 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 self-addressed, stamped envelope to Wildlife Mississippi with a request for an order form and planting recommendations for the seed. Wildlife Mississippi will be taking orders until February 27, 2009. This will allow the staff to place the orders in a timely manner to ensure that they will be filled in time for planting season.

Shipping and handling charges incurred by Wildlife Mississippi are included in the price of the seed. The costs will be $18.00 per 50 lb. bag for regular corn, $12.00 per 50 lb. bag for sorghum and $15.00 per 50 lb. bag for herbicide-resistant soybeans. Pick up locations will be Amory, Greenville, Ridgeland and Hattiesburg.

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