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Wildlife Food Plot Management Program Makes National Debut
| Name | John M. Barnes | | Situation | Planting and managing wildlife food plots are one of the most popular activities among landowners and wildlife managers. Farmers and commercial hunting clubs derive significant income from hunting leases and fee hunting operations in Colleton County. Small landowners and noncommercial hunt clubs also invest considerable resources in wildlife food plot management. In a recent publication by Dr. Greg Yarrow, Extension Wildlife Specialists, hunters and landowners in states like Alabama spend upwards of $35 million dollars annually on wildlife food plots. As popular as this wildlife management activity is becoming, many landowners and managers, especially first time managers, fail to follow basic soil fertility and agronomic production practices.
| | Response | In an effort to underscore the importance of fundamental agronomic practices and to educate and update landowners, the Extension agent conducted several major efforts. First, the National Wild Turkey Federation began broadcasting a weekly television program this year called “Get in the Game.” Three of the episodes featured County Extension Agent Marion Barnes. Barnes has been recognized for his knowledge and expertise in managing wildlife food plots by local landowners and wildlife managers. Eighty-eight thousand nine hundred twenty- three households across the U.S. viewed these programs in the first quarter of the year. Barnes educated viewers concerning the importance of proper establishment and maintenance of wildlife food plots. Barnes received calls and request for information from landowners across the south east following these broadcasts.
Secondly, a wildlife food plot demonstration project was instituted in Colleton County. This project consisted of 40 acres of cool and warm season forages established on two farms in the western part of the county. These forage varieties are maintained in order to demonstrate to landowners the proper production practices including variety selection establishment, fertilization, herbicide selection, weed control and annual maintenance. Production data, wildlife utilization, and plant species adaptability information is collected and presented at meetings, field days and tours. Thirdly, this spring a Wildlife Management short course, Food Plot’s 101, was conducted in Colleton County. Thirty-two landowners from five counties attended the three day short course and demonstration tour.
| | Impact | Pre-test, post-test and evaluations of the short course indicated that 98% of the participants indicated an increase in knowledge gained in managing wildlife food plots. Participants indicated they expected to save more than $25,000.00 dollars as a result of utilitizing information obtained during the short course. Evaluations indicated that participants owned, leased or managed 71,180 acres of land and planted and maintained over 1500 acres of food plots. Participants also indicated that they plan to increase their food plot acreage by twenty percent.
Participants were asked to evaluate and rate their knowledge of wildlife food plot management prior to attending the short course and after completing the short course. Listed below are the results.
Knowledge before: Poor- 2, Fair-8, Average-5, Good-8
Knowledge after: Poor-0, Fair-0, Average-2, Good-16, Excellent-5
Comments concerning the short course:
This was a wonderful opportunity and I am excited about all that we have learned from the program.
A very good program and instructors and a good price. More people should take this short course.
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Last update5/9/2008
This website is maintained by Amy West.
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