Simple Things Landowners can do to Improve Wildlife

Simple Things Landowners can do to Improve Wildlife

By Jessica Graham

One of my favorite things about hunting is watching different wildlife interacting and coexisting in one place. Whether you are an avid hunter or wildlife enthusiast, there are a few projects you can do to improve your land’s attractiveness to wildlife. Wildlife require habitat, water, and food to survive. If you are missing one of these key necessities, wildlife will leave your property in search of an area that provides these survival elements. As landowners and stewards there are a few projects we can do to improve habitat and provide wildlife with necessities to thrive.

Water Holes
As summer turns dry, and creek beds dry up, the available sources of water dwindles. Wildlife need water to survive, and by having a source easily available, you can ensure deer and other critters do not leave your property seeking out sources for hydration. Unfortunately, not every property has a reliable source of water. There are a few ways you can add a water source to your property. The first option that comes to mind is the creation of a pond. Ponds tend to be expensive to build, and require careful consideration of the watershed and soil capabilities. Ponds are long term water sources and can also be placed in an area to help stop erosion. However, there are some cheaper solutions to supplying wildlife with a water source.

Constructing a pond may not be feasible for your budget or your particular hunting area, and you may want to look at an alternative pond, such as utilizing a stock tank or a kiddie pool for a water source. The tanks or pools need to be refilled frequently to keep up with the wildlife’s needs. When creeks dry up, the availability of water becomes scarce. Kiddie pools and stock tanks will keep a supply of water for wildlife. They are pretty easy to construct, require little money, and hunters have reported success with utilizing kiddie pools. Pools can be placed on top of the ground, or for added camouflage, bury or semi-bury the pools. Wandering wildlife will be less likely to spook from a natural looking disguised pool.

Oak Trees
As summer starts to turn to fall, and Iowa’s bow season approaches, oaks begin to drop acorns. Acorns are a favored mast crop by deer, turkey, and squirrels. Studies reveal deer daylight activity increases throughout the month of October. Deer are often hard to find because they can alter previously observed travel patterns to search out the mast crop, leaving October bow hunters frustrated. Native oak trees can take over 20 years to produce acorns, and require a lot of time and patience to reap the reward. Luckily, there are some non-native oak trees, such as Sawtooth oaks, which are fast growing and can start producing acorns in as few as 6 years. Sawtooth oaks, as well as other hybrid oaks, often are able to produce a consistent mast crop year after year, whereas native oak trees produce a large mast crop every-other-year. The trees should be planted in early spring or in the fall. Be sure to keep the roots moist during handling to avoid damage. Deer, turkey, and squirrels all benefit from consuming acorns. To add an additional attractive source of acorns to your property, consider planting some sawtooth oak trees. In just a few short years, you will have acorns and be able to feed more wildlife.

Scrapes
A few years ago, Jerry Everhart, Greg Barnhart, and Dan Stapleton from Ohio’s Hunt Fish Journal introduced me to the art of making scrapes for deer hunting. Adding scrapes under a scented branch (often referred to as a “licking branch” or “sign post”) creates a social hub for deer. Making scraps has revolutionized my hunting and helps funnel deer towards hunting stands.

To start, tie down the branch of a tree to create a “licking branch”. A licking branch, or sign post is a branch that both bucks and does use to deposit scent. Deer can be observed placing the branch in and around their mouth. They smell the scent left by previous deer, and leave their own mark on the branches. The branch you select for the licking branch should be tied so it is roughly 4 ½ to 5 ½ feet from the ground. Use a knife to remove the leaves and vegetation from the branch, and then apply some quality scent, such as estrus or tarsal gland to the branch to “activate” the branch. After a while, the deer start taking over scenting the branch. Both does and bucks are drawn to the licking branch to deposit their scent on the branches. Bucks often scrape out the earth and deposit urine in the scrapes. Deer become curious about the other deer visiting the area and check out the branch and scrape. By creating scrapes around your hunting stand, you will increase the deer activity around that specific location and increase your opportunities to harvest deer. Whether you are hunting to harvest does, or are after a buck, the deer activity will increase with the creation of scrapes and licking branches.

Wind Breaks
It is no secret that Iowa winters can be harsh, exposing wildlife to severe cold and wind. On these coldest days, particularly during late season deer hunting, you can be sure deer will conjugate in areas offering protection from Northerly winds. Cedar trees often provide that needed shelter from frigid winds and snow. Cedar trees also provide shelter and a source of security and food for overwintering birds. To plant cedar trees, select a designated area on your property, and transplant the trees in early spring or fall, when the trees are dormant. You can also start cedar trees from seeds and then transplant the young trees. One favorable quality of cedar trees is that they can grow approximately 2 feet per year. The trees are pretty hardy and relatively easy to grow. In a couple of years, you can use cedar trees to protect the wildlife during harsh winters.

Thermal Protection
Along similar lines, fields of switchgrass will often provide wildlife with natural insulation and warmth. All types of wildlife seek out thermal protection on cold winter days to conserve energy. The stalks of switchgrass offer some shelter from the winter, similar to cedar trees. Switchgrass usually takes about three years to establish, and requires maintenance, such as mowing and burning to maintain a lush stand. Switchgrass stands well throughout the winter, and resists being matted down by heavy snows. This offers birds structure and habitat for the winter and nesting habitat in the spring. Switchgrass can be planted by frost seeding in early spring, and should be mowed during the first year. By planting switchgrass, you can contribute to the winter cover and protection of wildlife and increase the late-season attractiveness to your property.

By starting some habitat improvement projects this summer, you can begin to reap the benefits of attracting and retaining more wildlife on your property. Whether you plan to hunt the area, or just enjoy watching wildlife, you can rest assured that you are providing improved habitat for the population to flourish.