Most of the wildlife species we manage for are edge species. Meaning they prefer differing habitat types merging into each other. These are the areas that they prosper and have the highest population levels. This is an important thought to keep in consideration when you are looking to take on a habitat plan to better the hunting or wildlife viewing on your property. This brings me to the concept of checkerboarding for wildlife.
It is important to have varying habitat types for species such as whitetail deer, turkeys and upland game. Big tracts of one type of habitat, is not necessarily beneficial to you if you are looking to have bountiful wildlife populations. For example if you have a section of ground, 640 acres, planting it all to one type of habitat type such as winter cover may not be the best option. It will be good habitat but will not necessarily provide all that is needed for some species to live there, especially an abundance of that species. Same goes with large tracts of timber.
Instead it is better to mix and merge habitat types together. For example, take that same 640 acres and plant multiple habitat types in that section. Have a few areas of native warm season grasses as winter cover, nesting and brood rearing cover, plant shrub thickets and shelter belts or even orchards for another food source. Don’t forget to add in the food. Food plots whether 30 foot wide strips of corn breaking up two fields or along shelter belts, 5 acre plots and smaller pieces inside timber or in the middle of grasslands.
The same can be done with big tracts of timber. Clearing areas for food plots and other areas to incorporate native grass and forbs growth will increase the carrying capacity of that ground. Also doing hinge cutting or selective harvest will promote new growth on the forest floor providing both more cover for bedding, nesting and fawning cover as well as another source of native foods varieties.
By incorporating the checkerboarding for wildlife you will find that you can increase the carrying capacity of a given piece of property. This will bring you more opportunities in the field year in and out, especially with the right management steps.
Start planning and managing today for a better tomorrow.
Brett Kleinschmit
It is important to have varying habitat types for species such as whitetail deer, turkeys and upland game. Big tracts of one type of habitat, is not necessarily beneficial to you if you are looking to have bountiful wildlife populations. For example if you have a section of ground, 640 acres, planting it all to one type of habitat type such as winter cover may not be the best option. It will be good habitat but will not necessarily provide all that is needed for some species to live there, especially an abundance of that species. Same goes with large tracts of timber.
Instead it is better to mix and merge habitat types together. For example, take that same 640 acres and plant multiple habitat types in that section. Have a few areas of native warm season grasses as winter cover, nesting and brood rearing cover, plant shrub thickets and shelter belts or even orchards for another food source. Don’t forget to add in the food. Food plots whether 30 foot wide strips of corn breaking up two fields or along shelter belts, 5 acre plots and smaller pieces inside timber or in the middle of grasslands.
The same can be done with big tracts of timber. Clearing areas for food plots and other areas to incorporate native grass and forbs growth will increase the carrying capacity of that ground. Also doing hinge cutting or selective harvest will promote new growth on the forest floor providing both more cover for bedding, nesting and fawning cover as well as another source of native foods varieties.
By incorporating the checkerboarding for wildlife you will find that you can increase the carrying capacity of a given piece of property. This will bring you more opportunities in the field year in and out, especially with the right management steps.
Start planning and managing today for a better tomorrow.
Brett Kleinschmit
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