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This is just one section of a class that I took in 2003. But, one of the most important parts in making and accomplishing goals, when managing land for wildlife.

I have always said when managing your land for wildlife, the question you need to constantly ask yourself and then answer time and time again until the answer changes from the land to the animals you are trying to manage. WHY DOES THE DEER, TURKEY OR ANIMAL WANT TO BE HERE?

That question is the simple way to look at what is below. But I hope it will help you understand the information below in developing a wildlife management plan.

Also this is just a glimpse at a great program that if you ever get a chance to take, don't hesitate worth every penny.

Master Wildlife Topics
Introduction to Wildlife Management
Biology and Management of Bobwhite Quail, Cottontail Rabbit and Mourning Dove.
Biology and Management of Eastern Wild Turkey
Managing for Wetland and Aquatic Resources
Biology and Management of White-tailed Deer
Managing for Wildlife Diversity
Developing Wildlife Recreational Opportunities

Managing Wildlife on Private Lands in the South
Southern Region Satellite Course
February – March 2003

Land managers and landowners who are successful at managing wildlife carefully plan and target management activities to accomplish their objectives, minimize expenses, and ensure the long term productivity of their property for wildlife other resources. Wildlife management plans are simply a written guide for how, when, and where to implement habitat improvement practices.

Developing a management plan yourself or contracting a natural resource professional to develop a plan for forest or farm land is a wise investment of time and money.

5) Record keeping and evaluation of management efforts and their impacts on wildlife habitat.

A carefully developed plan provides a logical approach for using an assortment of habitat improvement practices. Some government cost-sharing programs also require that a management plan be written before cost-sharing funds are provided to landowners.

No two wildlife management plans are exactly the same. Plans vary depending on management objectives, habitat and site characteristics, financial resources, existing land uses (such as forestry or farming), and the individual(s) writing the plan. Assistance for developing and writing plans in available from a variety of sources such as private consulting firms, state Department of Natural Resources (DNR), state Forestry Commissions (FC), and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Natural resources professionals from government agencies can provide advice and guidance in developing wildlife habitat management plans at no cost to the landowner.

A multi-agency effort, called the Forest Stewardship Program, can also provide management plan assistance for forest and farm owners interested in managing their lands for a diversity of natural resources. Some forest industry landowner assistance programs also provide guidance in developing management plans. In addition to agency and forest industry assistance programs, natural resource consultants also provide management plan expertise and service for a fee. Consultants should be professionally trained and designated as registered forester and/or certified wildlife biologists.

Wildlife habitat management plans can be prepared in a variety of ways depending on available resources. Large timber companies often have sophisticated computer programs for recording, analyzing and displaying land use/management information.

The advantage of using a computer-based recording and reporting system is that a large amount of diverse information can be quickly updated and easily accessed in a variety of formats (maps, charts, text) for making management decisions. The disadvantage is that these systems are usually cost-prohibitive for he average landowner, although some private consulting firms offer these services. More typically, management plans include a written and visual description (sketch) of the land and other resources with recommendations for habitat improvements.

Whatever the approach, it is important that management plans be usable and flexible documents that guide forest and farm owners toward improving their land for wildlife. The following are important steps that should be considered when developing a sound wildlife habitat management plan.

Landowners who neglect to identify and prioritize their management objectives are often disappointed with their efforts and results because they never clearly defined what was important or what they wanted to accomplish. As one wildlife manager state, "If you have no idea where your are going, how do you know when you get there?"

The first and most important step in developing a management plan is to clearly define, in WRITING, wildlife habitat management objectives and expectations. Objectives should be as specific as possible and include wildlife species(s) to be managed as well as the expected outcome For example, one objective may be to manage farm or forest land for quality deer with an expected outcome of healthy deer with large antlers and heavy body weights. Habitat improvement practices that improve the abundance and nutritional quality of native and planted deer foods can then be developed and incorporated into the plan to help meet management objectives.

Objective should also be measurable. This helps in evaluating the success or failure of habitat improvement efforts. Plans that lack measurable objectives are often ineffective, because there is no way to know if management objectives were accomplished helps identify successful habitat improvement practices. Plans can then be modified to include only those habitat improvement practices that have successfully met management objectives.

Landowners also need to consider how their wildlife management objectives fit with other land use or management objective. Landowners should prioritize their land use/management objectives to have a clear understanding of where wildlife habitat enhancement efforts fit with other land management operations. In most cases, wildlife habitat improvement practices are compatible with other land management activities. If wildlife and habitat improvements are a top priority, then some concessions and modifications may have to be made in timber, agricultural or other land uses.

Opportunity Cost, or potential revenue foregone from other land management operations in favor of wildlife, should be a consideration when prioritizing land management objectives. However, if improving lands for wildlife is a secondary objective, then some concessions in wildlife habitat improvements may have to be made to accommodate other land uses. Defining and prioritizing land management objectives, as well as expected outcomes, helps landowners determine the best approach to managing their lands for wildlife and other resources.

A resource inventory is the process of identifying, locating, and recording land and other physical characteristics that have a potential to support wildlife or meet other land management objectives. An Inventory helps to determine what your already have or will need to meet your objectives. It should include, for example, an assessment of the property and existing habitat, wildlife present on the property, equipment (tractors, disk, planters, etc.) facilities (lodging, barns, skinning and equipment sheds, etc.), labor requirements (by your and others), estimated management expenses and income, cost-sharing options, and sources of technical assistance. Information derived from a resource inventory and/or timber appraisal, in combination with management objectives, is the foundation for selecting and implementing habitat improvement recommendations.

Management plan objectives should be revisited and examined after a resource inventory and may need to be modified, depending on inventory results. A land survey may have revealed management limitations that would make accomplishing certain objective difficult or unrealistic. The resource inventory may have also identified management opportunities that were not apparent when the objectives where first developed. This is also and opportune time to reexamine personal resources. In light of the resource inventory, are objectives realistic in terms of time and money needed to achieve them? A review of management objectives, inventory information, and financial resources is prudent before selecting the type and intensity of habitat improvement practices.

A survey of the property will determine availability and quality of existing habitat and the potential for improvement. Information in other portions of this manual will be helpful in understanding general habitat components that should be present for certain wildlife species. Habitat components important for individual wildlife species can be obtained from every game and fish department. This information should be reviewed prior to conducting a property inventory.

1) Identifying physical features (such as land use and vegetative types, water sources, terrain, soils, ad other natural and man made features) from various maps and aerial photographs; and

2) A more detailed in-the-field survey of land features that are not easily identified from maps or aerial photographs, and field observations should be included as a sketch or computer generated base map and as a written description in the management plan.

Most land features can be identified using topographical quadrangle maps from the U.S. Geological Surveys, recent aerial photographs from the county USDA Farm Services Agency office, soil surveys and soil maps from the county USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service office, and property blueprints (plats) from the county tax assessor’s office. These items are invaluable tools for developing a wildlife habitat management plan. The sketch map and written description should include information from maps, surveys, and aerial photographs such as property location, soil types and capabilities, topography, current land-use, vegetative cover types, streams and other water sources, boundary lines, rights-of-ways, road systems, and other important features. If there is too much information to include on one sketch map separate maps should be drawn. One map could include major features such as soil and vegetation cover types, while a second map could include other pertinent information. Transparent acetate sheets can also be used as overlays on sketch maps to provide additional information on sketches.

The next step is to add additional information to the sketch and written description that could not be identified from resource maps or aerial photographs. This is accomplished by walking over the property with the sketch map and noting unique features that might enhance or restrict wildlife habitat management efforts. Special attention should be given to the presence, arrangement and condition of natural vegetation that provides food and cover for wildlife of interest. Landowners and managers should also note existing timber and mast-producing trees and other vegetation on the property, as well as other areas that could support additional trees, shrubs, grasses, and legumes that benefit wildlife.

On-the-ground inventories should be made at least twice, at dawn and dusk, because these are peak activity periods for many species of wildlife. Walking over the property during these times helps determine what wildlife species are present on the land. Other signs of wildlife, such as scat or droppings, tracks and travel lanes, feeding area, beds, nests, dens, burrows, and sounds can also help identify wildlife species that use your land. Special attention should be devoted to determining if threatened or endangered species are present on the property. Sites that support threatened or endangered species should be noted on the sketch map. These areas will require special attention and specific management considerations.

Most farm and forest and owners have some equipment and facilities that can be used for wildlife habitat improvement practices. A farm tractor can be used for establishing food plots, creating and maintaining fire lanes, and disking natural openings. If no equipment is available, some habitat improvement practices can be contracted out to local farmers and others who own tractors, disks, and planting equipment. Consultants usually have a list of vendors that own management equipment and provide habitat improvement practices.

Information to Include in a Written Inventory of Compartments (Description of features identified on the sketch)

Existing facilities, such as an old house or barn, are useful for housing management personnel and storing equipment. Labor personnel can stay on the property, while management activities are being conducted, for extended periods to reduce travel and expenses. Old barns and sheds can also be used to store seeds, fertilizers, lime equipment and other management tools and materials. Barns and old houses can also be refurbished and used as lodging for hunters or other guests.

Management expenses depend on objectives, availability of labor and equipment, current land conditions, and whether or not wildlife habitat enhancement practices can be integrated with other land management operations such as forestry or farming. Where possible, wildlife habitat improvement practices to reduce costs and disturbance to wildlife.

Management practice costs should be criteria for selecting the level and intensity of wildlife habitat improvement practices are more costly. Management cost for some species of wildlife, like bobwhite quail, that require early successional stage habitat (grasses and forbs), is quite high because of the intensity and frequency of management efforts to maintain habitat at preferred stages. Management practices like prescribed burning and disking may similar effects on enhancing vegetative growth, but in general, an area can be burned at a lower cost than it can be disked. Management costs per acre are lowered as they are applied over a larger area. In other words, management costs per acre are lower on large land tracts than on small tracts of land. Management costs can also be reduced if they qualify for cost-sharing assistance. For more information on cost-sharing assistance programs contact your local NRCS or Farm Services Agency office.

Farms and woodlands are seldom uniform in the distribution of plant species, soils, productivity, and management potential. Because of these differences, a variety of management strategies are necessary for enhancing wildlife habitats across an individual farm or forest. Land tracts should be divided up into management units called “compartments” to make the process of recommending and conducting habitat recommending and conducting habitat improvement practices over a large and diverse area easier and more efficient. Compartments are areas that have similar characteristics such as vegetation, soils, topography, productivity, or other features. Compartments may be a pine plantation, hardwood stand, swamp, riparian forest, old homesite, or any particular field or field system. Because of their uniqueness, compartments can usually be identified from aerial photographs and maps.

After dividing a land tract into compartments, each compartment’s potential for producing quality wildlife habitat should be evaluated using information from the resource inventory. This information should be used to develop site specific management objectives and recommendations for each compartment. Wildlife habitat improvements should focus first on compartments that have the greatest potential (productivity) for providing wildlife habitat.

After the current conditions and management potential of each compartment are determined, habitat improvement practices for wildlife should be reviewed and selected for each compartment.

Write down practices that would be most appropriate for your land, and then discuss them with a natural resource professional (a certified wildlife biologist or registered forester). When considering management alternatives, be sure to consider the impacts of each practice, timing, cost, and the potential for each practice to complement or conflict with on-going land management operations on your tract and adjacent tracts managed by others.

Compartment record sheets, (see next page Figure 2) are vital components of a wildlife management plan. They are standardized information forms (8 ½” x 11”)

That record compartment management objectives, compartment descriptions, management recommendations, schedules of management activities, and records of management activities, and records of management activities and impacts. Below is an example compartment record sheet that can be modified to meet landowner needs.

Figure 2. An example format of compartment record sheets for management plans.

Management Objectives (includes priorities for wildlife, timber and other land uses)

Trees per acre ______________________ Mean DBH ___________________
(Diameter of tree at breast height)

Activities to be conducted (in a calendar year from start to finish)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Aerial Photographs are used to locate and identify natural and man-made features such as vegetation and forest types, land use, water sources, roads, rights-of-ways, buildings, and other features. They are also useful in delineating management compartments. Aerial photographs are available in black and white, color or color infrared and in various scales. An ideal Aerial photographs can be obtained from the county USDA Farm Services Agency, county USDA. Natural Resource Conservation Service office or can be contracted to be taken by private natural resource firms.

Topographical Maps helps to locate property in relation to physical features wuch as elevation, roads, water sources, and other land characteristics. Topographic maps can be obtained from the U.S. Geological Survey or local map vendors.

County Soil Surveys provide a description and map of soil types in a county. Soil surveys also provide soil suitability and productivity ratings for growing timber, producing wildlife habitat, and other land uses. They often include a description of the vegetation on various soil county USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service office.

A Field Notebook and Tape Recorder are useful for recording observation during the field inventory. Information recorded in the field can be transferred later from field notes and a tap recorder to the management plan.

Field Guides are useful for identifying wildlife, trees, shrubs, vines and herbaceous vegetation during the field inventory. Guides with detailed descriptions and color photographs are ideal.

Landscape Architecture Templates are useful for drawing trees, shrubs, and other natural and man-made features on sketch maps. Templates can be found at most draftsman supply stores.

A Camera can be used to document wildlife habitat conditions before and after management practices.

Information from Earlier Land Management Plans is invaluable in describing, recommending, and scheduling wildlife habitat improvement practices.

Record Keeping and Evaluation Management plans are dynamic documents that should be evaluated and updated periodically. Evaluations should be made annually for each compartment so that effective practices can continue to be implemented, while those that produce few or no results can be modified or discarded. Recording impacts of management efforts on compartment sheets is important in helping to evaluate the effectiveness of certain management practices. Keeping a log book of observations and changes that valuable information for evaluating management efforts. Recorded observations should include estimates of vegetative responses to management practices as well as wildlife responses, such as deer and turkey use of food plots. Food plots that are not heavily utilized by and moved to more suitable sites after an appropriate amount of time to allow wildlife to accept them. There is no substitute for good record keeping as a basis for evaluating the effectiveness of wildlife management practices.

Remember no two wildlife management plans are exactly the same. Plans vary depending on management objectives, habitat and site characteristics, financial resources, existing land uses (such as forestry or farming), and the individual's writing the plan. But this may help you get started writing your own. Who else but you can write a plan about a place you spend the most time.

MISSOURI FARM
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AND FARM PLAN
PREPARED by Private Land Conservationist for the Missouri Department of Conservation
Date: 2004

This farm is an intensively cropped row crop farm with small woodlots and sinkholes in some areas. The woodlands consist of a lot on the southwest side that is in saw log, white, red, and post oak with a mix of elm, hickory and cedar. All open lands are presently being used for crop production except for a small area near the house and a grass area on the west side. The farm has three pond sites and a small creek, which is dry most of the year.

The owner would like to improve the habitat for quail and rabbits while maintaining some of the income potential of the farm. Deer and turkey management is a secondary goal.

Continue most of the row crop farming operation due to both the income and the wildlife benefits it provides. Lack of adequate nesting sites and good brushy cover are the most limiting factors for small game. Idling some of the odd areas and field borders and planting them to beneficial grasses such as switchgrass and little bluestem will maximize nesting opportunities. Creating good brushy cover should also be a short-term goal. Without good woody cover you will not be able to attract or protect the quail and rabbits using the farm. Look for additional sites on the farm to establish bedding habitat and travel lanes to improve animal access and movement. Implement an active edge-cutting program, begin establishing shrubs and use tree tops to improve wildlife habitat conditions along the field edge and in the existing draws which are difficult to farm.

The row crop farming operation should be maintained on the farm. Row crops provide a variety of food and cover for wildlife species while reducing the amount of “maintenance” a landowner has to do to keep the ground productive. Modifications such as adding grass field borders and leaving standing grain greatly improve wildlife use. Using crop rotations, which include small grains such as wheat, add to the diversity of the farm. Consider idling odd areas and site hard to farm. See map for possible locations. In short the large fields should be broken up by grass plantings on the terraces and adding travel lanes and draws where possible.

Keep in mind that for every acre taken out of production the farmer must consider whether farming the fields is profitable. Consider that you may need to reduce your share of the profit or share program payments to keep the farmers on the land.

As we discussed, good wood cover is a critical habitat component, which is missing on the farm. All opportunities to increase this type of cover across the farm should be used. The map identifies some area that may lend themselves to developing this wood cover. Cutting to trees along woodland edges and within the sinkholes will provide the quickest cover. Using treetops to create loose brush piles (downed tree structures) in the draws and along field edge is also a good technique to establish this type of cover. Shrub plantings, though good, take a long time to develop and may not provide thick brushy cover needed for many years. I suggest you use shrub planting to supplement the brush piles and establish travel lanes along edges and within the fields as shown.

Every brushy area created has the potential to be covey headquarters. Be sure to make other habitat improvements (nesting, brood rearing, etc.) available near these sites. Though the marked areas on the map are some suggestion you may find other sites that could be developed also. Having these brushy sites scattered across the farm is important to increasing and maintaining a good population of quail and rabbits.

One the bright spots on the farm is the lack of fescue cover in most places. It is recommended that you convert as many areas presently in fescue to more beneficial grasses or cover. Areas around the home site and old sheds are the most likely but other areas along fence lines and where you establish brushy cover should be treated.

The woodlands on the farm though no in the best shape are in pretty good condition for your objectives. The east woodlot within the pasture can have some trees dropped to provide the start of some brushy cover. The trees in the sinkhole also could be cut heavily to add brushy cover and better concealment cover for both deer and turkey.

The other more mature forested area to the south is in fairly good condition with a diversity of trees species heavy to oaks. Though it is overstocked the woods still provides good crops of acorns and other foods. You may want to do some crop tree release, which entails picking a health oak and removing the surrounding trees, which interfere with the amount of sunlight getting to the tree. This should be done on a limited basis and throughout the stand.

Forest edge cutting is a practice that adds diversity and concealment cover along field edges (see enclosed forest booklet). Of all the wildlife management techniques available this is by far the best improving habitat conditions on most farms in the area. Edge cutting is simply cutting or deadening of trees and shrubs 30 feet wide along the woodland edges and leaving the tops to provide cover. The combination of concealment cover and regeneration shrubs, grasses and forbs creates a haven for many wildlife species including songbirds, quail, rabbits, and deer. This technique should be scattered along the field edges. Adding this type of habitat close to the standing grand of food plots provides excellent winter cover and feeding opportunities for wildlife.

Water availability is good on the property with the existing ponds and adjoining creeks. As we discussed, the new pond should have a buffer of grass or a combination of trees, shrubs and grass to provide better habitat conditions.

Because of the erosive nature of the soils on the farm most of the fields will be eligible for the regular CRP program, which has an occasional signup. The sinkholes are probably eligible for the Continuous CRP, which can be applied for at any time. Enrollment in either of these programs can be beneficial to wildlife if the planting options and location are selected correctly. Partial enrollment of the farm such as part of the fields, field buffers, or the smaller field is usually more desirable for wildlife.

Please review the included booklets and pamphlets for more ideas, recommendations and information.

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN
FOR
TURKEY BUZZARD INN
By: Allen “horntagger” Morris

Doniphan South Quadrangle
Missouri – Ripley County
Given Name - Turkey Buzzard Inn
47 acres
U-Highway – Wells Creek Area
36 degrees, 33 minutes, 00 seconds - .8 mile South
90 degrees, 46 minutes, 00 seconds – 1.6 mile West

1984 thru 1995 – Deer and Turkey Hunting Only - No Wildlife or Land Management Goals.

1996 - January – Manage the land by increasing the abundance of food source for whitetail deer, so that hunting opportunities increase on the weekend.

1996 – 47 acres of Valley & Ridges with old to medium growth White and Black Oak Trees. With one small 10ft shallow silty pond adjacent to Main House with old ½ acre horse pen with barbed wire fence.

Soil Type: Rocky to Clay type soils.
1996 – Surrounding Property Survey – Valley and Ridges with old to medium growth White and Black Oak Trees. With closet year round water source ½ mile Southwest (Current River) and Large 1 acre Pond ½ mile Northwest of Turkey Buzzard Inn. Fescue cattle pastures also ½ mile to the Northeast and Southeast of Turkey Buzzard Inn. Sapling Black Walnut Orchard adjacent to property to the south of Turkey Buzzard Inn. Sapling White Pines adjacent to property to the South and Southwest of Turkey Buzzard Inn for 3/8 of mile. Hayfield to the Southwest of property ½ mile along Current River.

Turkey Buzzard Inn
1984 thru 1995 – Two Whitetail Bucks and One Whitetail Doe

Surrounding Properties
1984 thru 1995 – Five Whitetail Bucks and Two Whitetail Does

MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION BOWHUNTING OBSERVATION RECORD
Allen “horntagger” Morris
October 1^ST thru November 10^th

1996 – 54 hours of Hunting, 78 - Squirrels, 4 – Whitetail Deer, 9 - Wild Turkeys, 1 Opossum.

1996 thru 2002 – Allen Morris, Steve McCord, Alan Joe Byrd, Jim Davis and Tom Hudson.

1996 – Fertilizer, Lime and Some Seed. (Majority of seed obtained from left over seed from farmers)

1996 – Topographical Map, 8mm Video Camera, 35mm Nikon Camera.
Book - WHITE-TAILED DEER ECOLOGY and MANAGEMENT by Lowell Halls
Book - GUIDE TO ABUNDANT WILDLIFE, by Randall Rogers

CURRENT ACTIVITIES
AREA DESCRIPTION AND ACTIVITIES
(See Attached AREA pages for specific activities)

Location – Northeast on Ridge at edge of the property. At the end of old logging road.

Reason for Location: Secluded area just above whitetail deer travel route and large area of wild turkey scratching.

Soil – Marked off area that after removing leaves has some dirt but is still rocky soil.

Reason for Location: Area closet to house but still out of site, maximum inner location on property. Also Whitetail Deer travel route between house and this location. Also keeping larger white oaks along edge.

Soil – Marked off area that after removing leaves has some very good dirt, few rocks.

Location – Northeast on Ridge at edge of the property. At the end of old logging road.

Reason for Location: Secluded area just above whitetail deer travel route and large area of wild turkey scratching.

Soil – Marked off area that after removing leaves has some dirt but is still rocky soil.

April 20^th – Allen Morris and Steve McCord reestablished logging road by clearing tree limbs and small samplings so that small SUV can travel to future food plot site.

April 20^th – Also cut in with limb saws a 1/16-acre area of small trees keeping larger white oak trees as borders.

April 27^th – Allen Morris, Alan Joe Byrd, and Tom Hudson cut down and cleared a 90’-0” x 60’-0” oval, racked the leaves.

Planted:
2 lbs of Arkansas Clover
2 lbs of Ladino Clover
4 lbs of Alfalfa
1 lbs of Sunflowers
25 lbs of Milo.
25 lbs of Wheat.
25 lbs of Corn.
5 gallon bucket of Corn.
5 gallon bucket of Beans.

Notes: Clover very thick and is 2” to 3” tall, Wheat is up and 6” tall. Milo is also up. Sunflower are also 8” to 10” tall. Watermelon is 4” tall.

Beans, Peas, cam up but have all been eaten. (Note for future: Never plant in rows again)

August 31^st – Allen Morris cut down tree sprouts and used weed eater on the area.

Soil – Marked off area that after removing leaves has some very good dirt, few rocks.

August 11th – Allen Morris, Steve McCord and Tom Hudson cut in with limb saws and chainsaw a 1/3-acre area of small trees keeping larger white oak trees as borders in an hour glass shape. 180’-0” by 90’-0” feet. Took cut trees and made natural fence around food plot and allowing three entrances.

August 31st – Allen Morris raked the leaves from the area. Planted area and used small tree top to drag and cover seed.

20 Gallons of Beans
10 Gallons of Wheat
5 Gallons of Corn
2 Gallons of Milo
1 Gallon of Red Clover
1 Gallon of Ladino Clover
1 small package of Whitetail Clover
1 small package of Wildlife Seed No-Plow
2 bags of 13/13/13 Fertilizer
2 bags of Granulated Lime

1984 thru 1995 – Deer and Turkey Hunting Only - No Wildlife or Land Management Goals.

1996 - January – Manage the land by increasing the abundance of food source for whitetail deer, so that hunting opportunities increase on the weekend.

1997 - January – Manage the land by increasing the abundance of food source for whitetail deer, so that hunting opportunities increase on the weekend.

1998 – January – Manage the land to improve habitat, by increasing the abundance of forage, food, and nutrition for Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey. So that Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey populations can increase so that hunting and viewing opportunities increase.

1999 – January – Manage the land to improve habitat, by increasing the abundance of forage, food, nutrition and water for Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey. So that Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey populations can increase so that hunting and viewing opportunities increase.

2000 – January – Manage the land to improve habitat, by increasing the abundance of forage, food, nutrition and water for Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey. So that Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey populations can increase so that hunting and viewing opportunities increase.

2001 – January - Manage the land to improve habitat, by increasing the abundance of forage, food, nutrition, water and cover for Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey. So that Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey populations can increase so that hunting and viewing opportunities increase. Also my son Tyler Morris will have a safe place, learn about the outdoors and be able to hunt Squirrels, Wild Turkeys and Whitetail Deer.

2002 – January - Improve the quality of the habitat and the quality of wildlife, by increasing the abundance of forage, food, nutrition, water, and cover for Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey. So that Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey populations can increase so that hunting and viewing opportunities increase. Also adding Quality Deer Management Practices in limiting the harvest of Young Whitetail Bucks by estimating age class and increase the harvest of Whitetail Doe’s. Including Quality Turkey Management Practices, by harvesting only Mature Adult Wild Turkey Gobblers. Including my son Tyler Morris will have a safe and quality place to view wildlife, learn about the outdoors and be able to hunt Squirrels, Wild Turkeys and Whitetail Deer.

1997 – 47 acres of Valley & Ridges with old to medium growth White and Black Oak Trees. With one small 10ft shallow silty pond adjacent to Main House with old ½ acre horse pen with barbed wire fence. With two small clearings planted as food plots.

1998 – 47 acres of Valley & Ridges with old to medium growth White and Black Oak Trees. With one small 10ft shallow silty pond adjacent to Main House. With old ½ acre horse pen with barbed wire fence. With two medium size clearings planted as food plots. Small walking trails weaving through southern end of property.

1999 – 47 acres of Valley & Ridges with old to medium growth White and Black Oak Trees. With one small 10ft shallow silty pond adjacent to Main House. With three large size clearings planted as food plots and a small apple orchard. 10 feet diameter secluded pond. Small walking trails weaving through southern end of property.

2000 to 2003– 47 acres of Valley & Ridges with old to medium growth White and Black Oak Trees. With one small 10ft shallow silty pond adjacent to Main House. With three large size clearings planted as food plots and a small apple orchard. 10 feet diameter secluded pond. Small width roads weaving across entire property.

1996 – Surrounding Property Survey – Valley and Ridges with old to medium growth White and Black Oak Trees. With closet year round water source ½ mile Southwest (Current River) and Large 1 acre Pond ½ mile Northwest of Turkey Buzzard Inn. Fescue cattle pastures also ½ mile to the Northeast and Southeast of Turkey Buzzard Inn. Sapling Black Walnut Orchard adjacent to property to the south of Turkey Buzzard Inn. Sapling White Pines adjacent to property to the South and Southwest of Turkey Buzzard Inn for 3/8 of mile. Hayfield to the Southwest of property ½ mile along Current River.

1998 - Main House, Small Barn half for Storage, Old Refrigerators in Barn for Seed Storage, Cabin.

1999 - Main House, Small Barn half for Storage, Old Refrigerators in Barn for Seed Storage, Cabin.

2000 - Main House, Small Barn for Storage, Old Refrigerators in Barn for Seed Storage, Cabin.

2001 - Main House, Small Barn for Storage, Old Refrigerators in Barn for Seed Storage, Cabin.

2002 – Main House, Small Barn for Storage, Old Refrigerators in Barn for Seed Storage, Cabin.

2003 – Main House, Small Barn for Storage, Old Refrigerators in Barn for Seed Storage, Cabin.

1996 – SUV, Two Limb Saws, Machete, 4 – Five Gallon Buckets, 2 Leaf Rakes, Shoulder Bag Seeder, Weed Eater, and Uncle has one Chainsaw.

1997 - SUV, Two Limb Saws, Machete, 4 – Five Gallon Buckets, 2 Leaf Rakes, Shoulder Bag Seeder, Weed Eater, and Uncle has one Chainsaw.

1998 - SUV, Two Limb Saws, Machete, 4 – Five Gallon Buckets, 2 Leaf Rakes, Shoulder Bag Seeder, Weed Eater, and Uncle has one Chainsaw. (Rental of bulldozer)

1999 - SUV, Two Limb Saws, Machete, 4 – Five Gallon Buckets, 2 Leaf Rakes, Shoulder Bag Seeder, Weed Eater, and Uncle has one Chainsaw. (Rental of bulldozer, backhoe, tractor and disk.)

2000 - SUV, Two Limb Saws, Machete, 4 – Five Gallon Buckets, 2 Leaf Rakes, Shoulder Bag Seeder, Weed Eater, and Uncle has one Chainsaw, Tractor, Disk and Fertilizer Wagon.

2001 - SUV, Two Limb Saws, Machete, 4 – Five Gallon Buckets, 2 Leaf Rakes, Shoulder Bag Seeder, Weed Eater, ATV’s and Steel Bedframes for drags,

1998 - Acorns, Salt Licks, Wheat, Whitetail Clover, No – Plow, Red Clover, Ladino Clover, White Dutch Clover, Corn, Soybeans, Sunflowers, Winter, Succotash - Rape Seed, Alfalfa, Lespedeza, and Purnia Deer Chow.

1999 - Acorns, Salt Licks, Wheat, Whitetail Clover, No – Plow, Red Clover, Ladino Clover, White Dutch Clover, Corn, Soybeans, Succotash - Rape Seed, Mr. Whitetail Products, Purnia Deer Chow, Apple Trees, and New Water Source.

2000 - Acorns, Salt Licks, Wheat, Whitetail Clover, No – Plow, Red Clover, Ladino Clover, White Dutch Clover, Corn, Soybeans, Succotash - Rape Seed, Purnia Deer Chow, Apple Trees, Water Source, and Native Grasses.

2001 - Acorns, Homemade Mineral Licks, Wheat, Red Clover, Ladino Clover, Corn, Soybeans and Biologic, Purnia Deer Chow, Apple Trees, Water Source

2002 - Acorns, Homemade Mineral Licks, Wheat, Red Clover, Ladino Clover, Corn, Soybeans, Sunflowers and Native Grasses.

2003 - Acorns, Homemade Mineral Licks, Wheat, Whitetail Clover, No – Plow, Red Clover, Ladino Clover, Corn, Soybeans, Sunflowers, Turnips, Winter Peas, Tecomate seed. Chufa and Native Forage.

Surrounding Properties
1984 thru 1995 – Five Whitetail Bucks and Two Whitetail Does

1996 – 54 hours of Hunting, 78 - Squirrels, 4 – Whitetail Deer, 9 - Wild Turkeys, 1 Opossum.

1997 – 50 hours of Hunting, 18 – Squirrels, 14 – Whitetail Deer, 17 – Wild Turkeys, 1 - Coyote, 1 – Rabbit.

1998 – 41 hours of Hunting, 34 – Squirrels, 12 - Whitetail Deer, 10 – Wild Turkeys, 1 - Dog.

1999 – 76 hours of Hunting, 67 – Squirrels, 25 - Whitetail Deer, 146 – Wild Turkeys, 1 – Raccoon, 2 – Dogs, 1 – House Cat, 2 – Rabbits.

2000 – 70 hours of Hunting, 87 – Squirrels, 26 – Whitetail Deer, 72 – Wild Turkeys, 1 – Bobcat, 1 – House Cat.

2001 – 43 ½ hours of Hunting, 70 – Squirrels, 17 – Whitetail Deer, 18 – Wild Turkeys.

2002 – 62 ½ hours of Hunting, 54 – Squirrels, 19 – Whitetail Deer, 40 – Wild Turkeys.

2003 – 44 ½ hours of Hunting, 52 – Squirrels, 52 – Whitetail Deer, 153 – Wild Turkeys.

1996 thru 2002 – Allen Morris, Steve McCord, Alan Joe Byrd, Jim Davis and Tom Hudson.

1996 – Fertilizer, Lime, Salt and Minerals and Some Seed. (Majority of seed obtained from left over seed from farmers)

1997 – Fertilizer, Lime, Salt and Some Seed. (Majority of seed obtained from left over seed from farmers)

1998 – Rental of Bulldozer, and Buy Fertilizer, Lime, Salt, Seed. (Some seed obtained from left over seed and from farmers.)

1999 – Rental of Bulldozer, Backhoe, Tractor, Disk and Buy Fertilizer, Lime, Salt, Seed and trees. (Some seed obtained from left over seed and from farmers.)

2000 – Tractor, Disk and Bush hog, Seed, Salt, and trees. Seed bought from the NWTF Conservation seed program, (Some seed obtained from left over seed and from farmers.)

2001 – Seed, Trees, Bags of Minerals, Seed bought from the NWTF Conservation seed program and (Some seed obtained from left over seed and from farmers.)

2002 – 325 Magnum ATV 4x4 and Seeder, Bags of Minerals, Seed bought from the NWTF Conservation seed program and (Some seed obtained from left over seed and from farmers.)

2003 – Weekend Warrior ATV Disk and Cultivator, Bags of Minerals, Seed, Seed bought from the NWTF Conservation seed program, purchase of seed from the NWTF and (Some seed obtained from left over seed and from farmers.).

1996 – Topographical Map, 8mm Video Camera, 35mm Nikon Camera.
Book - WHITE-TAILED DEER ECOLOGY and MANAGEMENT by Lowell Halls
Book - GUIDE TO ABUNDANT WILDLIFE, by Randall Rogers
Video - A Practical Guide to Producing and Harvesting White-tailed Deer by Dr. James C. Kroll, "Dr. Deer"
Book - WHITETAIL COUNTRY - The Photographic Life History of Whitetail Deer.
Daneil J. Cox & John Ozoga
Book -THE DEER OF NORTH AMERICA - Updated and Expanded Edition by Leonard Lee Rue III
Video - Imperial Whitetail Brand, Producing Trophy Whitetails 1992 and 1994 by Whitetail Institute of North America

1998 – Cam-Trakker Game Camera, 30 gallon Moultrie Timed Feeder
Book - FOOD FOR GAME by Dan Moultrie and Tony Kinton
Booklet - A GUIDE TO THE MANAGEMENT OF DEER AND ELK & PURNIA MILLS, INC. DEER AND GAME PRODUCTS
Book - Whitetailed Deer by Lowell K. Halls
Booklet - Missouri Whitetails - Missouri Department of Conservation
Internet – Various websites.

1999 – Moultrie Timed Feeder 50 gallon. Aerial Photo.
Book - QUALITY WHITETAILS by Karl Miller and Larry Marchinton
Book - HOW TO ATTRACT WHITETAILS by Larrry Weishuhn
Booklet - Wildlife Management for Missouri Landowners - Missouri Department of Conservation
Internet – Various websites

2001 – Wild Turkey Management Seminar with Mike Hubbard from the Missouri Department of Conservation and free brochures from the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Research done on Rabbit Management (Not for this property)
Internet – Various websites

2002 – Quality Deer Management Video’s and magazines.
Internet – Various websites

2003 – Certificate in Master Wildlifer Class and Book, College Class in Leopold’s Ethic for Wildlife and Land Video’s from Quality Deer Management Seminar, Posters, tagging and tracking system just for whitetail deer.

Book - GAME MANAGEMENT by Aldo Leopold
Internet – Various websites

2004 – Video’s from the Master Wildlifer Program.
Internet – Various websites

1996 thru 2004 - Free brochures on improving habitat from the Missouri Department of Conservation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Quail Unlimited and Quality Deer Management Association.

2000 thru 2004 – Work with Private Land Conservationist from the Missouri Department of Conservation on improvement to current land practices for wildlife.

1. Research habitat requirement for Whitetail Deer.
2. Choose site location for food plots.
3. List tools and supplies that will be need to put in food plots.
4. Find sources for common seed and buy rest.
5. Set a workday with others to be able to help.
6. Start work and finish work before 1996 deer season starts.

1998 thru 2001
1. Research habitat requirement for Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey.
2. Increase size of current clearing for addition size and add food plots.
3. Find best location for apple trees on farm and how to protect them from deer.
4. Save money just for land management improvements.
5. Research different type of seed for planting.
6. Started supplement feeding program during February thru August source for feed. Set dates to fill.
7. Set workday with other for one day in Early Spring and Late Summer.
8. Work must be finished one month before season.
9. Survey animals on property and keep track.

2002 thru 2004
1. Research habitat requirement for Whitetail Deer and Wild Turkey.
2. Research mature wildlife age structure.
3. Implement a self imposed Quality Deer Management program and partnership with neighbors.
4. Start the thinning off trees to increase light to increase native forage.

CURRENT ACTIVITIES
AREA DESCRIPTION AND ACTIVITIES
(See Attached AREA pages for specific activities)

Location – Northeast on Ridge at edge of the property. At the end of old logging road.

Reason for Location: Secluded area just above whitetail deer travel route and large area of wild turkey scratching.

Soil – Marked off area that after removing leaves has some dirt but is still rocky soil.

Soil – Marked off area that after removing leaves has some very good dirt, few rocks.

Reason for Location: Area closet to house old horse pen, mostly clear of tree easy to bring in as additional food plot. Also Whitetail Deer travel route between house and crossing gravel road to front of house. Also keeping larger white oaks along edge and 5 on westerly side.

Developing a Wildlife Management Plan
Example Wildlife Management and Farm Plan from the Missouri Department of Conservation
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR TURKEY BUZZARD INN Current trying to get all the information on the web to share with others. Page is under construction. Keep checking back.
Example Wildlife Management Plan Turkey Buzzard Inn. 1996	Example Wildlife Management Plan Turkey Buzzard Inn. 1997	Example Wildlife Management Plan Turkey Buzzard Inn. 1998
Example Wildlife Management Plan Turkey Buzzard Inn. 1999	Example Wildlife Management Plan Turkey Buzzard Inn. 2000	Example Wildlife Management Plan Turkey Buzzard Inn. 2001
Example Wildlife Management Plan Turkey Buzzard Inn. 2002	Example Wildlife Management Plan Turkey Buzzard Inn. 2003