National Wild Turkey Federation

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Wild Turkey Woodlands Landowner and Hunt Club Programs recognize individuals and corporate landowners who manage their farms, ranches, woodlands, or hunting clubs for wild turkeys and other wildlife.

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Project H.E.L.P. (Habitat Enhancement Land Program) Products
A range of habitat enhancement products including seed mixes, land management manuals and help videos.

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Wild Turkey Country: Conservation Easements
A program to help private landowners, industry partners and wildlife agencies conserve wildlife habitat and improve hunting opportunities. Protecting wildlife habitat and your family's land.

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NWTF's Conservation Seed Program

The program helps seed companies unload outdated seed that can be used for conservation purposes.

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The NWTF's Energy for Wildlife program helps the utility industry manage millions of miles of rights-of-way and other lands they own that could potentially provide ideal habitat for a number of wildlife species.

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I am here to help landowners get started with improving wildlife habitat on their land in my area of Southern Missouri and a few neighboring states.  

This section is dedicated to the needs of landowners.  Where to get fish for your ponds, seeds for your food plots and etc.
MISSOURI CONTACTS
Need professional help with forest on your land check out the  Forester Contacts from the  Missouri Department of Conservation Local Forester	Need professional help with you land check out the  Private Land Assistance Contacts from the  Missouri Department of Conservation Private Land Conservationist
Need help working the ground?  Your local Department of Conservation office keeps a list of people that are willing to take their tractor and do the work for you.  Give them a call and see what is available. Or you can check out the list on the website. Conservation Contractors	Looking for your contacts in Missouri with the United States Department of Agriculture for services like the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Office Information Locator
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Missouri	Conservation Practices and Programs for Your Farm Need a quick look to compare conservation program opportunities in the new farm bill? Check out Conservation Practices and Programs for Your Farm, a simplified, 8-page foldout color guide. Call 1-888-LANDCARE or print your own FARM BILL 2002 WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
Contact you local NRCS office for this Guide. Woodland Management, Planned grazing system, Manure storage, Farm Pond, Wildlife upland habitat, Wildlife food plot, Filter Strip, Grade Control Structure, Critical area planting,, Contour Stripcropping, Diversion, Grassed waterway, Contour buffer strip, Contour farming, Field border, Well Protection, Windbreak, Pasture Planting, Stream protection, Manure testing, Tree planting, Crop residue management, Wetland enhancement, Crop rotation, Nutrient management, Wetland, Pest Management, Water and sediment control basin, Terrace, Cover Crop.	MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION NEWS. New farm bill will benefit Missouri Wildlife Friday, December 06, 2002 Conservation will get a big boost from new federal farm legislation. JEFFERSON CITY -The recently passed Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, also known as the 2002 farm bill, includes $39 billion over the next 10 years for programs that conserve soil, water, wildlife and other natural resources. New farm legislation typically is created every five years. The first farm bill, enacted in 1933, helped American agriculture change as societal needs, world markets and other factors affecting farm production changed. Since the 1980s, conservation concerns have been strengthened in the legislation. For the past 17 years, federal farm bills have better recognized the correlation between good farm management and the well-being of our wildlife and natural resources. Nearly half of the land in the United States is used for agricultural production. That land intertwines with our streams and natural habitat and provides food and cover for wildlife. The farm bill is designed to sustain a healthy farm economy while also enhancing and protecting natural resources, including wildlife. Highlights of the 2002 farm bill include expansion of established conservation programs and creation of new land-management programs. The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is among the oldest efforts by the farm bill to address conservation concerns. CRP, established in 1985, pays landowners to take their land out of crop production and establish native grasses, and other cover that prevents erosion and benefits wildlife. This year's farm bill provides funds to enroll 39.2 million acres of land in the CRP program. A new eligibility requirement of the program is that the land must have been farmed four of the six years prior to enrollment. The Conservation Security Program (CSP) is among the most innovative programs created in this year's farm bill. With CSP, landowners who manage their properties to address soil erosion, herbicide runoff, wildlife habitat and other important conservation issues can receive financial support for those conservation practices. Funding for this program will be determined by Congress annually. Also new in this year's farm bill is the Grassland Reserve Program, which addresses conservation of prairies. It offers cash in return for easements or other long-term agreements from participants who maintain or restore native prairies. Enrolled lands can be hayed or grazed. The new farm bill provides funding to enroll 2 million acres in the program. The Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) provides cash incentives for restoring wetlands. WRP has been very successful in Missouri, providing $75.6 million to restore 78,000 acres of wetlands. The 2002 farm bill calls for increasing national enrollment in WRP by 250,000 acres per year. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, helps defray the cost of implementing certain wildlife habitat management practices on lands that are actively managed to produce crops or livestock forage. EQIP will receive $400 million in funding this year and will increase to $1.3 billion annually by 2006. The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) provides financial assistance to landowners who manage land for wildlife. National funding for WHIP is $15 million in 2002. WHIP funding will increase to $85 million annually in 2005. Also included in the 2002 farm bill is $100 million for the new Forest Land Enhancement Program (FLEP). FLEP provides funding specifically for forest needs, such as reforestation and management practices to improve the health of forest. - Arleasha Mays -
NATIONAL CONTACTS
United States Department of Agriculture  Natural Resources Conservation Service.	United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Technical Service Provider Registry Technical Service Provider Registry
United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Wildlife Habitat Management Institute Wildlife Habitat Management Institute	This site now contains mainly links to agency sites relating to the development and implementation CRP, WRP, WHIP and other US Department of Agriculture Farm Bill conservation programs and related programs benefiting fish and wildlife habitat, water quality and other resources. FARM BILL NETWORK
U.S. Department of Interior U.S. Department of Interior	America's National Wildlife Refuge System America's National Wildlife Refuge System
U.S. Geological Survey U.S.G.S.	U. S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
U.S. Department of Interior  Bureau of Land Management	U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division Biological Resources

Forest nursery has quail cover bundles Plants that provide food and habitat for quail are among the wide variety of native trees and shrubs available from MDC nursery. LICKING, Mo. –This year's bumper crop at the Missouri Department of Conservation George O. White Nursery provides state residents with endless land management opportunities. Nursery Supervisor Greg Hoss says 2001 has been a very productive year for virtually everything the nursery planted.  "The number of trees and shrubs available are as high as I have ever seen produced in a single year," says Hoss. "We have lots of oaks, pines, plums and many of the other popular species that are produced annually, as well as new species that can be used for everything from windbreaks to wildlife cover." The new offerings include a Quail Cover Bundle. Each bundle contains 10 wild plum seedlings, 10 fragrant sumac seedlings and 10 silky dogwood seedlings, 10 rough-leaf dogwood seedlings and 10 false indigo seedlings. Quail Cover Bundles also come with planting tips for maximum benefit to quail.  Another new species available this year is the Norway spruce, an evergreen that makes great windbreaks and shelter belts for wildlife. One of the Norway spruce's most attractive features is that it is less attractive to deer than other evergreens. Those interested in wildlife management also may consider ordering roundheaded bush clover and slender bush clover. The species provide food and cover for turkeys and small game species.  Landowners who have lost oak trees to oak wilt or oak decline have many options for replacing trees. The nursery has an abundance of several varieties of oaks.  Most are sold in bundles of 25 that cost $3 to $10. Order forms, including lists of available seedlings and bundles will be available November 15 at Conservation Department offices throughout the state, or online at www.missouriconservation.org. Use the keyword seedlings to access the seedling order form.  If you would like to be placed on the mailing list for an order form call the George O. White Nursery at 573/674-3229.  Orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so it's best to order early.  In addition to spelling out which plants you want, the order form allows you to specify when you want the plants delivered by mail, or whether you prefer to pick them up at the nursery.  MDC sends you a notice two weeks before the delivery date stating what plants it can furnish.  This notice also serves as a billing statement.  Seedlings are shipped after payment is received.  Deliveries take place from February through May. - Arleasha Mays  -      Here is a good link to a story on the MDC page about how to grow minows.  Why would you want to grow minnows?  Bass like to eat em!  MINNOWS WHY USE MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS

This is a campaign that every state should look at and jump on board and do something to support what they are trying to do since it matters to us all. It should not be one state fighting it should be a combined effort from all game and fish departments along with wildlife organizations and hunters. So I am passing along this very important information from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Allen “horntagger” Morris

Arkansas “Don't Do Fescue" is theme of AGFC public campaign

JONESBORO - Tall fescue is a widely used forage crop. It is insect resistant, tolerates poor soil and climatic conditions well and has a long growing season. Unfortunately, tall fescue also has a downside.

With approximately four million acres of pasturelands planted in tall fescue, Arkansas has a great deal of this crop. According to David Long, agricultural liaison with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the agency is working diligently to help the public understand the shortcomings of this type of grass.

"The AGFC has developed a new tool in its effort to educate landowners about the toxic and negative effects of Kentucky 31 Tall Fescue to farm wildlife. A new bumper sticker entitled 'Don't Do Fescue' is now being distributed to agency employees and others interested in spreading the word," Long said. Tall fescue is a common forage grass that has been planted across Arkansas for over 40 years.

Estimates are that about 70 percent-95 percent or 4 million acres of the pasturelands planted with tall fescue in Arkansas are infected with an endophyte fungus. The fungus causes declines in bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbits, grassland songbirds and also limited other game populations such as white-tailed deer and wild turkey.

"The fact that the plant is actually toxic to both domestic livestock and farm wildlife species is accepted by agriculture extension specialists and wildlife biologists alike," Long said. "The plant produces chemicals causing the fescue to have very toxic qualities. The alkaloids are found throughout the plant, but are especially concentrated in the seeds and leaves," he explained.

In cattle, the fungus causes excessive body temperatures, elevated respiratory rates, loss of appetite, body weight loss, lowered fertility rates and abortion of fetuses. Dairy cows often show sharp declines in milk production. Horses are affected also with more aborted fetuses, foaling problems, weak foals and reduced or no milk production. The CES estimates that this endopytic toxin cost American beef producers up to $1 billion a year in lost profits.

"It's very important for private landowners who desire viable wildlife populations on their property to know the effects of planting fescue," Long noted. "Many species of wildlife would directly suffer these same negative effects if they were confined to the pasturelands as are livestock. However, since they are free ranging, they simply avoid the fungus infected fescue pastures, but nevertheless, this results in loss of farm wildlife habitat on these acres. You may have deer and turkey travel through tall-fescue pastures, but they rarely find food sources available they can utilize, since the aggressiveness of the fescue usually results in solid stands of the plant," Long concluded.

The grass is a sod-forming turf with thick matted growth that also limits movement of young bobwhite quail, turkey and cottontail rabbits, provides no nesting habitat for wild turkey or quail, and is extremely poor habitat for many declining grassland species of songbirds. "Bottom line, fungus infected tall-fescue pastures offer little food, cover or nesting habitat to a broad range of farm wildlife," he said.

"Tall fescue has been planted in an estimated 4 million acres of the 5.4 million acres of pasture scattered over the state and for all practical purposes is of no value to farm wildlife. With the widespread establishment of tall fescue pastures, a great loss of wildlife habitat for deer, turkey, quail, cottontails and grassland songbirds has occurred.

Many landowners now recognize this problem and are interested in eliminating tall-fescue on some or all of their acreage. However, many landowners continue to plant tall-fescue, not knowing the detrimental effects it will have to wildlife. (There is an endophyte-free variety of tall fescue available for planting but it is less viable and hardy, and still provides very limited habitat for wildlife.)

We want to educate all landowners regarding this fact because there are other planting options to providing livestock forage and wildlife habitat on their farms," Long explained.

Please help spread the word to landowners "Don't Do Fescue!" by requesting a bumper sticker to place on your vehicle. Especially if they have an interest in managing for wildlife on their farm. For more information contact David Long at 877-972-5438 or dlong@agfc.state.ar.us.

Ok guys and gals, one of the first things some of you ranchers may say is “Give me a good alternative that is just as good as fescue.” At this time I do not have an answer for you.

But there are some good alternatives like orchard grass, clover, lespedeza mixed into one field. Bottom line, it costs money to eradicate fescue and plant something suitable for wildlife and livestock.

However, you ranchers or farmers that really have a great interest in wildlife and habitat will take the extra step for them. One of the main problems is how to eradicate fescue so they can plant wildlife friendly grasses and forbs.

You have to start somewhere! Education or Knowledge is power. With this power we can start to eradicate fescue, but keep this in mind we will never eradicate all fescue pastures, and never in any way thought that was possible.

However, we do want landowners to know the problems fescue causes wildlife and other options for planting and let them decide for themselves. It's all about options and landowner objectives. What do you want to manage your land for? Livestock, Wildlife, or both? All game and fish departments owe them the best recommendations for wildlife they can provide. And we owe them the truth about fescue as it impacts farm wildlife population. 

Some of the methods that I am aware of on eradicating fescue are.  

1.      First contact your local Missouri Department of Conservation – Private Land Conservationist for your area before you start. They have tons of information to help you out.  

2.      Also a herbicide I have heard some about is PLATEAU. This herbiced converts fields and other open areas to great habitat. Contols tall fescue, Johnsongrass, Japanese Stiltgrass, Foxtail and many other invasive plants. Encourages the establishment and restoration of native grasses like bluestem and Indian grass and legumes like partridge pea and lespedeza. Easily applied in a water based solution using a hand sprayer, ATV mounted sprayer or tractor sprayer. Depending on specific field conditions, one to three packets will treat one acre. For more info on this contact National Wild Turkey Federation at 1-800-THE-NWTF or www.nwtf.org

3.      Also in the fall I have been told to bush hog the area then apply herbiced in the fall. Then in the early spring when the fescue seed that has not been killed off has sprouted and is about 4” tall a prescribe burn is then recommend. This will allow the warm season grass to come up later in the spring. But herbicide still may have to be used before to kill off all the fescue. Before any burning you should contact local conservation department.

Good luck and hope to see you in the woods. horntagger

Guidelines for Converting Tall Fescue to Other Forages or Herbaceous Cover
Provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation

FALL APPLICATIONS

1. Glyphosate (ROUNDUP) or Sulfosate (TOUCHDOWN 5) applied in the fall will control 95% of tall fescue. Re-infestation will occur from seed unless seed heads were mowed in mid-May or early June before maturity.
   1. Mow, hay, or burn in July or August to reduce residue and ensure maximum exposure of new growth to herbicide contact.
   2. Apply 1 qt./ac. glyphosate or .8 qt./ac. sulfosate, plus 6-7 oz. nonionic surfactant in 10-20 gal. water/ac. and 17 lb. ammonium sulfate/l00 gal. solution, between Sept. 1 and Nov. 1 when fescue is 8-10" tall and actively growing (60-70°F)
   3. Re-treat in April or May with 1 qt./ac. glyphosate or .8 qt./ac. sulfosate. There will probably not be adequate growth for treatment before April 1 in the south zone, or April 15 in the north. A late winter or early spring burn may produce earlier growth.
   4. Plant with no-till drill in moderate residue (never plant in heavy fescue residue). A standard grassland drill or air spreader may be used in light residue, or if residue is burned prior to seeding. Cultipack or tread with cattle after seeding with an air spreader. For tilled seed beds, wait 7-14 days after the last herbicide application before disking.
   5. Late spring (April 15-May 15) seeding of csg/legumes is possible if all goes well. Nwsg/forbs should be seeded as early as possible to allow weather to heal cuts from residue coulters on most no-till drills. Drills with trash plows (Truaxflex-drills) and standard drills do not leave deep cuts so planting may be later.
   6. If seeding can’t be completed before the deadline or because seed is not available, plant a summer smother-crop such as sorghum-sudangrass or pearl millet for better fescue control or erosion protection. Csg/legume can be planted in the fall; nwsg/forbs in the dormant period or the following spring, leaving the cover crop mulch for protection.
   7. Burn after the second growing season or after the first if no winter-heaving is evident.
2. Imazapic* (PLATEAU) is labeled for controlling tall fescue at 12 oz./ac./yr, but may only be used at 4 oz./ac./yr. on CRP land. Thus imazapic by itself should not be used on CRP to convert tall fescue. It may be used at the higher rates on EQIP land and land that is not grazed or hayed. (A change in grazing restriction is expected by February 2001.) Annual weed control will be less than if used in the spring. The only advantage of using imazapic in the fall is to reduce adverse effects on sideoats grama, eastern gamagrass, and susceptible native forbs, e.g. compassplant and ashy sunflower.
   1. Mow, hay or burn in July or August to reduce residue and ensure maximum exposure of new growth to herbicide contact.
   2. Apply 12 oz. imazapic + 2 pints of methylated seed oil (MSO) per acre.
   3. Plant nwsg and native forbs during the dormant period or following spring.
3. Glyphosate or sulfosate + Imazapic will give more consistent control of tall fescue than either product alone and will allow using a lower imazapic rate for sensitive forbs and nwsgs and for CRP land. Annual weed control will be less than if imazapic is used in the spring.
   1. Apply qt./ac. glyphosate or .8 qt./ac. sulfosate plus surfactant in the fall as described in step 1 a and b.
   2. Burn residue in the spring and apply 4-8 oz./ac. imazapic (use no more than 4 oz./ac. on CRP) and 2 pt./ac. MSO in 20 gal. of water/ac. a few days before or after planting. (Omit MSO if nswg or forb seedlings have emerged.)
   3. Switchgrass, eastern gamagrass, sideoats grama and several native forbs may be stunted or killed by imazapic, especially at the higher application rates. Increase the seeding rate in mixtures that contain these species to allow for some plant loss.
4. Gramoxone (Paraquat), in split applications, has provided 65-85% control of intensively grazed or hayed tall fescue. alt has been less tested on idle tall fescue such as CRP. Gramoxone should only be applied by a properly trained, equipped and attired commercial applicator.
   1. Apply 2.5 pt. gramoxone in 20-30 gal. water/ac. in early fall when fescue is actively growing.
   2. Wait IO-21 days for regrowth and apply 1.5 pt. gramoxone in 20-30 gal. water/ac.
   3. Plant csg/legume before the fall deadline or nwsg/forbs during the winter dormant period or following spring, OR
   4. Plant a winter smother-crop, barley or wheat, kill in the spring with 1.5 pt/. gramoxone, and plant csg/legumes or nwsg/forbs during the respective spring seeding period.

SPRING APPLICATIONS

1. Glyphosate or Sulfosate applied in the spring will give 50-90% tall fescue control, but seedling recruitment, escapes, and skips are problems with spring treatment without a second application.
   1. Mow or burn residue in winter to encourage new growth.
   2. Apply 2 qt./ac. glyphosate or 1.6 qt./ac. sulfosate, plus 6-7 oz. nonionic surfactant in IO-20 gal. water/ac. and 17 lb. ammonium sulphate/100 gal. of solution, when most plants have reached the boot to early seed head stage.
   3. If a clean-tilled seedbed is planned, waft 7-14 days before disking. For no-till, watt 2-3 weeks after a second, 1 qt./ac. glyphosate or .8 qt./ac. sulfosate application, for herbicides to breakdown before seeding.
   4. Late spring seeding of csg/legume may not be possible but there should be time to plant nwgs/forbs.
   5. If csg/legume or nwsg/forbs cannot be planted, plant a summer smother-crop. Mow to 8-10 inches in August and apply 1 qt./ac. glyphosate or .8 qt./ac. sulfosate within a few weeks to cleanup residual fescue. Csg/legume can be planted in the fall; nwsg/forbs during the dormant period or the following spring, leaving the cover crop mulch for protection.
2. Imazapic
   1. For non-CRP acreage, apply 12 oz. imazapic + 2 pints of MSO per acre after fescue greenup but before boot stage.
   2. Burning fescue residue before herbicide application will enhance herbicide effectiveness and aid fescue control.
3. Glyphosate or Sulfosate +Imazapic gives better fescue control than either herbicide by itself plus annual grass control, eliminating the need for weed-control mowings. It is the most efficient and cost effective method.
   1. Apply 1 to 2 qt./ac. glyphosate or .8 to 1.6 qt./ac. sulfosate, plus 6-7 oz./ac. nonionic surfactant, in IO-20 gal. water/ac. and 17 lb. ammonium sulfate/100 gal. of solution when tall fescue is 8-10 inches tall.
   2. Wait 7-14 days, bum killed residue, plant nswg mixture, and apply 4-8 oz./ac. imazapic (use only 4 oz./ac. on CRP land),
4. Gramoxone, in split applications has given 6585% control of heavily grazed tall fescue. Results on idle fescue such as CRP may be different. a. Apply 2.5 pt. gramoxone in 20-30 gal. water/ac.
   1. Walt IO-21 days for regrowth, and apply 1.5 pt. gramoxone in 20-30 gal. water/ac.
   2. Plant csg/legume or nwsg/forbs during the respective spring periods, or plant a summer smother-crop for greater fescue control and plant csg/legumes in the fall or nwsg/forbs during the winter dormant period or following spring.
5. Clethodim (Select) split applied at 10-12 oz./ac. similar to Gramoxone, has given 85-95% control of tall fescue on non-cropland. Check label recommendations.
6. Glyphosate or Sulfosate plus Gramoxone, split applied, has given adequate control.
   1. Apply 2 qt./ac. glyphosate or 1.6 oz. sulfosate, as described in Spring Applications, step 1.
   2. Wait 21-28 days and apply 1.5 pt./. gramoxone or 1.5 to 2 pt./. glyphosate or 1.2 tol.6 pt./ac. sulfosate.
7. Cropping is the least costly method lf time is not critical and soils are tillable because crop income can offset fescue eradication costs. This may not be applicable for assistance programs like CRP.
   1. Apply 1 qt. glyphosate/. or.8 qt./ac. sulfosate in the fall or 2 qt./ac. glyphosate or 1.6 qt./ac. sulfosate in the spring as described above.
   2. Plant a summer crop of milo or soybeans with weed control herbicides. Do not use imazaquin herbicides (SCEPTER, STEEL, SQUADRON, or TRISCEPT) with soybeans due to carryover that can affect nwsg establishment.

Always read and follow labels when using pesticides. Pay attention to grazing and/or haying restrictions following herbicide application.

WHAT MISSOURI CAN DO FOR YOU?
Private Land Ownership Program
By Allen "horntagger" Morris

  My Best Guess

  For the last several years' family and friends have helped me cut in food plots with limbs saws, chain saws, bulldozers. Then we started planting food plots with everything from Imperial Whitetail Clover, Suchtash, Mossy Oak Biologic, Alfalfa, Wheat, Sunflowers, Soybeans, Corn, Milo, Regal White Clover, and Medium Red Top Clover. Also added 8 apple trees and pine trees along with 3 salt licks, 30-06 licks, and Deer Cane licks. Two years ago we added an isolated watering hole and started supplement feeding during fawning and antler growth periods of the year. All this is on my Grandma's farm of 47 acres in Ripley County, Missouri.
All this was accomplished with the help of reading numerous books, my best guess, camtrakker surveillance camera to see how many and quality of whitetails using the area, a lot of trial and error, which cost me money and valuable time in the long run.

  A New Program

  In 2000 the Missouri Department of Conservation announced the Private Landowners Assistance Program. This peaked my interest.
So a few months into the year I e-mailed MDC and with a very prompt reply they forward my name and number to Brad Mckee a Private Land Conservationist who would be getting in contact with me in a short time.

  Just before turkey season Brad called and we had a very nice talk over the phone about the MDC program and the farm in Ripley County and what my goals are for the wildlife. Brad noted that they had a few more weeks of training to do and of course a small break for Spring Turkey Season. I always appreciate a man with my same priorities. Brad said he would give me a call back as soon as possible so we could set an appointment. So in June, Brad called and we set July 8th at 9:00 a.m. as our first meeting.

  Walking the Land

  I did not know what to expect. But at 9:00 a.m. right on time he showed up. Giving Brad a few general introductions of the history and lay of the land and the surrounding the farm. We started the tour.
We walk to our food plot on the ridge, then to the food plot in the valley that is now planted with white and red clover. Then we went by the watering hole, pine trees, and apple tress and the supplement feeding area. He asked a few general questions about our up keep and planting, fertilizer and feeding routines.
He noted how well the food plots look and gave me the suggestion of keeping the ph, potash, and phosphorous up to the needed levels and not allowing other plants to compete to much. He also stated how some of the Missouri Biologist recommend, instead of trying some marketed products,  mixed white and red clover works well in Missouri food plots.  Something that had taken me several years to figure out, he told me in about a minute.
Also, one part of the habitat I have known about but did not have any experience in (and more than likely never will) is timber management. Brad showed me an example in one part of the woods on how the small whiteoaks are competing with other small trees and what could be done.
After about two to three hours of showing him the farm, pictures from the camtrakker and meeting the adjacent landowner we parted ways. But before Brad left he told me that he would gather some information together and get it in the mail to me.

  Follow Up

  A few weeks later, I received a very nice letter and three Missouri landowner management books that I had never seen before. I have read all three and learned something from all of them. About a week after that he sent a Deer Mineral Recipe from a Missouri Biologist which I have tried and have had some outstanding results with the use of since August.
Also after the letter Brad dropped off a couple of bags of wheat, mixed clover and lespedeza.
Also he has offered three times to come back over in the beginning of 2001 and help with the marking of  timber to cut, to help the white oaks.
We have also talked on the phone a few times and have exchanged a few letters and e-mail back and fourth. To the point I believe I have found someone I can trust and call a new friend.

  High Marks

  I believe with people like Brad Mckee along with the Missouri Private Land Assistants Program that Missouri Landowners and Missouri Wildlife can do nothing but benefit from this program.
What I believe the Missouri Department of Conservation is going to do for the landowner, is to cut the time and wasted money we all spend by using their concentrated experience from their Conservationist, Biologist, and other resources which we can not afford or do not have the time to acquire.

  Bonus (Deer Mineral Information from Don Smith to Brad Mckee to Allen Morris and now to my friends Missouri Deer Hunters)

  Here is a little information I put together on this deer mineral and minerals in general. This recipe mix was given to me by Don Smith, Wildlife Management Biologist out of West Plains. As for credit, I'm not sure who came up with this first since I've seen this recipe on the web since we started talking about this. I guess what I'm saying is don't give us credit in the article for coming up with this mix, were just passing on the info.

  Thanks,

Dicalcium phosphate is used primarily as dairy cattle feed additive and other animal feeds. It promotes feed digestion, weight gain, and milk production, which is obviously beneficial to a lactating doe deer. Dicalcium phosphate contains roughly between 18 and 21 percent phosphorus and 19 to 23 percent calcium.

You're probably asking why this is important by now. Well if your talking about growing antlers on deer you need to take a look at what is the make up of a deer antler.

Hardened antlers contain 40 to 50 percent organic matter from mostly proteins while the most abundant minerals consist of calcium and phosphorus. The demands for these minerals on a daily basis can be significant for antler production.

In addition, a lactating doe's milk contains high percentages of both calcium and phosphorus to pass on to their young, also causing a significant mineral drain on the doe. What makes all this significant is the fact that phosphorous cannot be synthesized by the body so it must be provided in needed levels in the animals diet. This is where a mineral mix such as this could be very valuable if an area is lacking in these naturally.

August 18th, 2001

Trace mineral salts do two things for deer. The first and foremost is it does have the salt/sodium to attract the deer and promote the use of the mineral. Secondly, it provides the trace minerals such as magnesium and potassium that are very important to herd health but are not found in significant quantities like others. Stock salt is again like part of the above. It has the sodium to attract deer to the minerals. Most mineral mixes have salt as their most abundant ingredient since a mix of just phosphorus, calcium, and other trace minerals have little attraction to deer once mixed with the soil. As for directions of use we suggest using a 3-pound coffee can to measure out 1 part dicalcium phoshate, 2 parts trace mineral salt, and 1 part stock salt. Mix all these together once ready to use but keep components separate during storage. Dig a hole in the soil about 36 inches wide and 6 inches deep and mix the mineral well with the soil. This should be replenished after 6 months and then once a year thereafter. Most use seems to be during the spring and summer months on mineral licks. It's a good idea to keep these areas replenished and stocked in the same spot to maintain use.

Mineral Lick November 14th, 2001

WHITETAIL DEER HOMEMADE MINERAL MIX RECIPE
Printable version
  Ingredients: Makes 200 lbs. for about $23.00

  1 part Di-calcium phosphate, this is a dairy feed additive bought at feed stores.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $11.00 you need one bag.

  2 parts Trace mineral salt, the red and loos kind without the medications.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $5.00 you need two bags.

  1 part Stock salt, ice cream salt.
Comes in 50lb Bags at around $2.00 you need one bag.

  Directions:

  -Use a 3 pound or similar size coffee can to use as your measure for each part of the mix.

  -Mix all together well but not until read to use, keep ingredients separate until ready to put to use.

  -Dig or tear up a circle in the soil about 36 inches wide and about 6 inches deep.

  -Mix your mineral mixture with the soil.

  Maintenance:

  -Replenish in 6 months with fresh supply of mineral, and then each year there after.

Helpful hints from horntagger:

One is best times to put it out is Feburary/March/April and I put all 200 lbs in one hole. This time of year will help more with antler growth, and fawn health.

Also do not make multiple licks unless you are on large tracts of land. Remember deer herd homerange is around 800 acres.

Also keep it in one spot so near the center or the the spot you start hunting. Keeping the deer on our land for the most amount of time increase your odds.

Also I like a water source to be within 100 yards since salt is being used.

If you put it out in the late summer just put 100lbs won't do as much for them now other than salt requirements. But will be a slight draw. Because of shedding of the summer coat begins around August , the deer need the salt so that is the next best time of year to replenish if needed.

Good Luck

Hope to see you in the woods this weekend. horntagger

This picture was taken June 30th of 2001 - The homemade mineral had been in this since late fall of 2000.

This picture of the same homemade mineral lick was taken August 18th, 2001.

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Arkansas Outdoors
New From the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
May 12, 2004

Financial alternatives to farming flood prone lands

LITTLE ROCK - Many thousands of acres of croplands across the Arkansas Delta have recently flooded from all the late April and early May rains. For many farmers, flooding on these low-lying farmlands has become almost an annual event.

However, now is the time for farmers to take a long, hard look at whether there is a better alternative to farming these cropland acres they experience such frequent losses.  Many farmers find themselves in the same situation as a year ago-losing a newly planted crop on their flood prone lands.

There are alternatives to consider via the many new and improved conservation program opportunities for farmers to consider on those risky, flood prone croplands in the 2002 Farm Bill, according to the AGFC’s agricultural liaison David Long. “A number of program options for farmers are available to consider for these croplands to include the Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP),” Long said.

The WRP program was expanded in the 2002 Farm Bill to make available an additional 1.3 million acres nationwide that should make Arkansas farmers a big benefactor. “Currently, Arkansas farmers have enrolled over 163,000 acres into the program, much of this flood prone, hard to farm croplands. With the increased acreage cap, another 100,000 acres or more could potentially be enrolled over the course of the next several years,” Long explained.

The program has several options within the program:  permanent easements that pay the appraised agricultural value up to $700 per acre and 100% of the cost to restore the cropland to a wetlands state; 30 year easements pay 75% of the appraised value and 75% of restoration cost and lastly, 10-year agreements are available that pay only 75% of the restoration cost with no land payment.

“Farmers continue to own the land and can use the new wetlands to provide a place for family and friends to hunt or enjoy the outdoors, but also this land may be leased out for duck hunting to generate additional farm income. Farmers are ranked and scored, and compete to enter the program,” Long explained.

Another option for farmers is the Continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CCRP). It is yet another conservation program that offers some exciting opportunities with several new options currently being offered, Long said. “The program pays per acre per year rental payments for up to 15 years along with cost-share assistance and other incentives,” he added. 

Under the CCRP farmers may sign-up any time and do not have to compete to be funded unlike in the regular CRP.  Cropland must meet the cropping history of four out of six years during 1996 to 2001 to qualify. Many of these practices are conducive to re-establishing wetlands and rental payments per acre per year up to 15 years.

The best news for Arkansas farmers with flood prone land comes from two new practices added to the CCRP.  Practices entitled- ‘CP23 Wetland Restoration’ and “CP31 Bottomland Timber Establishment on Wetlands” are now available on flood prone croplands.

Both of these practices include bottomland hardwood tree planting designed to retire hard-to-farm, flood prone croplands in Arkansas. In addition to helping farmers retire problem acres, these practices create premium wildlife habitat for species such as ducks and other waterfowl, deer, turkey, bear, rabbits, squirrels and a host of declining non-game species. 

Another existing practice in the Continuous CRP, which many Arkansas farmers are discovering is entitled CP22-Riparian Forest Buffers, and is applicable to rivers, streams, creeks and first order drainage ditches that lack protective tree cover along each side of the water body. First order means that the drainage ditch runs directly into a water body rather than into another ditch.

Cropland or pastureland qualifies for this practice. The width can go up to 180 feet without any additional documentation. However, in most cases, much more land will qualify when overland, out-of-bank flow shows evidence of scour erosion, debris deposits or sediment deposition, Long explained. “In other words, if you find those trashy water-lines after the water goes down where sediment and/or debris is deposited on a crop field or pasture, FSA can take in all land up to these high-water marks. Some crop fields have been enrolled up to 1,000 feet or wider next to rivers and streams experiencing out of bank flooding,” he said. This allows much more of the flood prone areas to be enrolled. This is really a good practice to retire cropland immediately around rivers and streams and being in the Continuous CRP, farmers may sign-up at any time at FSA offices, Long added.

Plus, farmers who qualify for CP22 receive some pretty substantial incentives and supplemental income in the form of rental payments up to 15 years, an added 20% incentive payment added to the rental payment, up to $150 per acre up-front signing incentive payment along with a 50% cost-share plus a 40% practice incentive payment (in essence a 90% cost-share for tree and grass establishment). Also, both sides of a stream or river can be treated if they meet the eligibility criteria.

“Everybody wins with these conservation programs- farmers, wildlife populations and the environment.  At the same time, these programs provide a very viable means for farmers to receive financial assistance in retiring these flood prone croplands. The programs target those marginally productive croplands that can provide some outstanding wildlife habitat much needed in the Delta region of the state, but most importantly, they provide the needed incentives and income replacement to assist farmers to retire problem lands which they continue to try and deal not only with the forces of nature, but also commodity crop forces continuing to keep prices unstable throughout the years. We encourage farmers to consider ‘farming the best and retire the rest’ via these USDA programs,’” Long said.