The Health of Your Forests & Black Bear Conservation.

Solitary black bears and females with one-year-old cubs are becoming active and are on the search for food in the Central Hardwoods. The springtime habitat for black bears provides the diet of newly emerging grasses and insects.  Primarily, the larvae stage of insects (e.g. grubs) is a favorite on the menu. Searching under and within decaying logs on the ground and under rocks, a bear will eat all the insects they can find. Throughout the growing season of spring and summer, insects and vegetation can make up as much as 80% of a bear's diet. Later as summer progresses, soft mast such as blackberries, persimmons, and spicebush berries are also part of a bear’s diet. When the hard mast of oaks develop and start to fall, bears will gorge themselves on acorns packing on pounds of body fat for the winter before they enter their dens. Bears have been known to consume >20,000 calories in 24 24-hour period while feeding on acorns. Research studies (Pelton -1989) explored the fascinating relationship between the production of acorns by oak trees and black bears in the southern Appalachians. Key findings from his research included the link between a diet of acorn production and the Black bear’s survival and reproduction.  Physiologically, bears are adapted to digest the fats and carbohydrates found in acorns. Their systems are equipped to handle this specialized diet. Another finding was to cope with food shortages during non-mast years, bears have developed behavioral and ecological adaptations. Despite these adaptations, upland hardwood forests in the Southeast as well as throughout the forest and woodlands of the Central Hardwoods have declined in quality due to factors like the loss of the American chestnut, high-grading (selective logging of only the best trees), soil degradation, and other changes. Forest management practices, fragmentation, and oak decline further threaten the capability of southeastern uplands to support bears (“Oak-Black Bear Relationships in Southeastern Uplands”). In summary, the intricate relationship between oak mast and black bears underscores the critical role of acorns in supporting bear populations and influencing their survival and reproduction. For landowners interested in the conservation and management of Black bears, it boils down to being a good manager of oak-hickory forests and oak woodlands on their properties. This means evaluating the forest for health, diversity of species of various oak trees, the age/size classes of the trees, and their density.  A healthy, highly diverse oak forest and oak woodlands will provide a sustainable production of soft vegetation, native insects, fruit, and acorns for a population of black bears. Acorns are an important source of fats and carbohydrates in the diets of not only bears but also critical for nearly 200 other wildlife species as well. (“OAK-BLACK BEAR RELATIONSHIPS IN SOUTHEASTERN UPLANDS”). If you are interested in evaluating your oak forests and woodlands for the management of black bears, contact us by email.  We would be happy to discuss a plan for managing black bear habitat or other species of wildlife on your property. It can begin with wise management of the oak trees.

For the wise stewardship of wildlife and forest resources.

TR

Eastern Wild Turkey Diet: Managing Vegetation for Protein-packed Insects

Besides being a ground-nesting bird where a clutch of eggs is vulnerable to predators, cold rain, or untimely ground fires, the wild turkey chicks that do hatch and become poults continue to depend on a critical protein-based diet of insects.  Being a conservation-minded steward of the land that provides habitat for these beautifully feathered game birds, it is important to manage vegetation in a manner that produces a plethora of insects throughout the growing seasons.  Some of the top insects in an eastern wild turkey diet are:

●      Grasshoppers: These are large, jumping insects that have long hind legs and antennae. They are found in grasslands, fields, and meadows, and feed on plants. They are a good source of protein and fat for turkeys, especially in the summer and fall.

●      Beetles: These are insects that have hard wing covers and chewing mouthparts. They are the most diverse group of insects, with over 400,000 species. They can be found in almost every habitat, and feed on various things, such as plants, fungi, carrion, dung, and other insects. They are also nutritious food for turkeys, especially in the spring and summer.

●      Ants: These are social insects that live in colonies and have a caste system. They have elbowed antennae and a narrow waist between the thorax and abdomen. They can be found in various habitats, such as forests, fields, gardens, and houses. They feed on different things, such as seeds, nectar, honeydew, insects, and fungi. They are common prey for turkeys, especially in the spring and summer.

●      Spiders: These are arachnids that have eight legs and two body segments. They have spinnerets that produce silk for making webs or cocoons. They are found in almost every habitat, such as trees, bushes, grasses, rocks, caves, and buildings. They are a favorite food for turkeys, especially in the spring and summer.

These are some of the top insects in an eastern wild turkey diet. Insects provide turkeys with essential nutrients, such as protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, and vitamins. Insects also help turkeys digest plant matter by breaking down cellulose in their crops. Turkeys usually forage for insects by scratching the ground or pecking at low vegetation.  Antlers & Oaks can provide you with an assessment of your property to provide this critical element of wild turkey habitat.  I look forward to hearing from you and seeing what opportunities to provide habitat for the wild turkey population in your area.

Eastern Wild Turkey Habitat: Managing Your Oak Woodlands for Mast Production

The fall season is quickly approaching. Many outdoors enthusiasts’ favorite time to get afield is during this season – especially hunters.  From the opening days of dove season in September, through fall deer season, we seek out these diverse habitats where we hunt.  Avid hunters know and appreciate the importance of the food produced in our oak woodlands. Nearly all game species we pursue in the Midwest depend on the acorn crop from our oak trees. 

Fall is also a time to observe and plan for management practices of these critical habitats.  The habitats of eastern wild turkeys are no exception.  A common question for managing oak woodlands, is “What is the best density of oak trees in the woodlands on my property?” 

This is an excellent question for two reasons.  One is the health of the trees in these habitats, and two is for the benefit of wildlife that depend on the food produced by these trees.  As for the best density for oaks in turkey management, there is no definitive answer to this question.  However, depending on soil types, topography, aspect of the land, and the composition of the various oak species, it is best answered in a range of densities.  “Basal area” is a measure of the cross-sectional area of trees at breast height (4.5 feet above the ground) per unit of land area (usually an acre). It is used to estimate the density and volume of forest stands. The basal area can vary depending on the size, number, spacing, and distribution of trees in a stand.

Generally speaking, lower basal areas (40 to 60 square feet per acre) allow more light to penetrate the woodland canopy and reach the forest floor. Doing so, stimulates the growth of understory vegetation that provides food and cover for turkeys. Higher basal areas (80 to 120 square feet per acre) provide more mast (acorns) production from oaks and other hardwoods but reduce the understory diversity and quality. Therefore, a balance between these two extremes is desirable for the turkey habitat.

One way to achieve this balance is to use uneven-aged management techniques that create a mosaic of different age classes and sizes of trees within a stand. This can be done by using selective harvesting methods such as single-tree selection or group selection that remove individual trees or small groups of trees based on their diameter or quality. This creates openings or gaps in the canopy that allow light to penetrate and stimulate understory growth while maintaining a continuous cover of mature trees that produce mast.

Another way to achieve this balance is to use even-aged management techniques that create stands of similar age and size classes of trees within a stand. This can be done by using clearcutting or shelterwood methods that remove all or most of the overstory trees in one or two harvests. This creates large openings or clearings that allow abundant light to reach the forest floor and stimulate the rapid regeneration of new trees and understory vegetation. However, this also requires leaving some residual trees or creating adjacent stands of mature trees that can provide mast production and roosting sites for turkeys.

The choice between uneven-aged or even-aged management depends on several factors such as landowner objectives, site conditions, stand characteristics, market opportunities, wildlife preferences, and aesthetic values. A professional forester or wildlife biologist can help you decide which method is best for your situation and goals.

At Antlers & Oaks – we can help you learn more about the mast-producing trees and shrubs for eastern wild turkeys. We can also develop recommendations for the best density of oak trees in turkey management on your property. If you have any other questions about wild turkeys or their habitat on your land, send us an email and we can explore some of your options.  I look forward to hearing from you.

White-tailed Deer Habitat: September Management Practices

While some folks are trying to beat the heat of these August dog days of summer, other folks are longing for the crisp, clean, and cooler temps of autumn.  This is especially true for us who enjoy autumn days sitting in our favorite deer stand with bow and arrow in hand.

Between now and through September, hunters can enjoy conducting deer habitat management practices that are best done during this time frame:

●      Planting food plots: While the availability of food, in general, is not the limiting factor in white-tailed deer habitat, the quality, and seasonal availability is often the issue. Food plots can provide supplemental food sources for deer, especially during times of stress, such as late summer to early fall and mid-to-late winter. Green-browse food plots can be planted with a variety of crops, such as clover, alfalfa, wheat, oats, rye, and brassicas (e.g. turnips).  Legume plantings such as clover and lespedeza are excellent for improving the nutrients in a does milk. This is a critical need for does nursing their fawns at a time they need to grow as fast as possible. For the same reasons, clover and lespedeza are often inter-seeded into cool-season pastures for cow/calf pairs. When landowners have shared goals for cattle grazing as well as a healthy deer herd, inter-seeding hayfields and pastures is a great example of integrating agriculture and wildlife management.

Grain food plots such as soybeans (another legume), milo, and corn can also be planted for food availability in winter. These can be utilized during years of poor acorn production in oak woodlands, or in lands that are lacking in oak woodlands within the local deer population’s range.

Food plots should be located near cover, water, and travel corridors, and should be at least 1/4 acre in size. Food plots should be planted according to the soil type, fertility, and pH and maintained with proper fertilization, weed control, and mowing.

●      Strip disking for forbs: Strip disking is a technique that involves using a disk harrow to disturb the soil and create bare ground. This stimulates the growth of desirable forbs (broad-leaved non-woody plants), such as sunflowers, croton (dove weed), and ragweed. Forbs provide food and cover for deer and other wildlife species. Strip disking can be done in grasslands, prairies, old fields, woodlands, and forests. Strip disking should be done in strips that are 50 to 100 feet wide and spaced 100 to 200 feet apart. Strip disking should be done every two to three years to maintain early successional vegetation.

●      Haying or grazing: Haying or grazing can be used to reduce the height and density of grasses and increase the diversity and availability of forbs. Haying or grazing can also improve the quality and palatability of grasses for deer. Haying or grazing should be done at a light or very moderate intensity to avoid overgrazing or soil erosion. Haying should be discontinued by mid-September to allow grasses to recover before winter.

These are some of the deer habitat management practices that can be done in September to enhance the quality and quantity of food and cover for deer on your property. Antlers & Oaks - Land Stewardship Services can help design proper food plot strategies and recommend seed blends and seeding rates best suited for the soil conditions on your property.  We would like to tour your property and design a comprehensive stewardship plan for deer and other wildlife that depend on your land’s resources. Send me an email for more information, I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Critical Turkey Habitat Elements – Understanding your property’s limiting conditions to improve eastern wild turkey use.

The top habitat elements for eastern wild turkey conservation are:

●      Openings: These are areas of grasses, forbs, and shrubs that provide food and cover for turkeys. Openings can be created and maintained by, burning, disking, or planting and under certain conditions, mowing at specific times and under specific conditions. Openings in forest or woodland habitats also attract insects, which are important for poult survival.

●      Mast-producing trees and shrubs: These are plants that produce nuts, fruits, berries, or seeds that turkeys eat. Examples are oaks, hickories, dogwoods, blackberries, and blueberries. In particular, Post oaks have great benefits since the mature acorns are typically small enough that turkeys can eat the acorns whole. Planting and managing these species well can enhance food availability for turkeys throughout the year.

●      Protective roosting and nesting cover: These are areas of dense vegetation that provide shelter and concealment for turkeys. Roosting cover is usually tall trees with horizontal branches that turkeys can perch on at night. Nesting cover is usually low-growing plants that hide nests from predators. Examples are pines, cedars, native honeysuckle, and briars.

●      Native warm-grasses and forbs: These are plants that grow naturally in the region and provide food and cover for turkeys. Native grasses and forbs can be established by planting seeds or plugs, or by reducing competition from invasive plants. Examples are switchgrass, bluestem, clover, sunflower, and milkweed.

●      Timber stand improvement (TSI): This is a practice that involves thinning, pruning, or removing trees to improve the health and diversity of the forest. TSI can benefit turkeys by increasing sunlight penetration through the tree canopy and reaching the forest floor, stimulating understory growth, creating openings, and enhancing mast production.

These are some of the ways to improve wild turkey habitat and conserve this amazing bird species. I would be honored to assess your land and develop a custom management plan to help you be a critical steward of this amazing native game bird and conserve this species into the future.  Send us an email to schedule a tour of your property.

How Ecological Elements are Used in Successful Wildlife Habitat Management

Ecological elements are the physical, chemical, and biological factors that influence the structure and function of an ecosystem. They include climate, soil, water, vegetation, animals, and human activities. Antlers & Oaks – Land Stewardship Services understands how these elements interact and affect wildlife habitats, and use them to benefit wildlife habitat management strategies for various properties.

Some examples of how we use ecological elements to benefit wildlife habitat management are:

●      Climate/Weather: By monitoring the effects of shifting climate trends and seasonal transitions on wildlife habitats, we can plan for adaptation strategies. For example, you can plant native species that are more resilient to drought, heat, or flooding, or create corridors that allow wildlife to migrate to more suitable habitats.

●      Soil: You can improve soil quality and fertility by using organic fertilizers, composting, mulching, or especially cover crops. This can enhance plant growth and diversity, which in turn can provide more food and cover for wildlife.

●      Water: You can also protect water quality by reducing runoff, erosion, or pollution from various land uses within your property’s watershed. This can help maintain aquatic habitats and wetlands that are vital for many wildlife species.

●      Vegetation: You can manage vegetation by using practices such as mowing, burning, grazing, or planting. These practices can create different types of habitats that suit different wildlife needs. For example, you can create forest openings, edges, or corridors that can benefit birds, mammals, or insects which are the foundation of any natural landscape community.

●      Wildlife: You can manage wildlife populations by using practices such as hunting, trapping, or reintroduction. These practices can control invasive or overabundant species that may harm native wildlife or habitat that rely on your property’s land and water resources. They can also restore endangered or threatened species that may play important roles within the ecosystem where your land is located.

●      Human activities: You can reduce human impacts on wildlife habitat by using practices such as designating recreational areas, refuge areas and access corridors. These practices can limit unnecessary infrastructure, fragmentation of habitat, or disturbance of natural areas. They can also increase awareness and appreciation of wildlife and their habitats among those that use and enjoy the property.

Antlers & Oaks – Land Stewardship Services has the ability and expertise to take these ecological into account and develop appropriate management recommendations to conserve, improve and protect the natural resources of wildlife and forest resources on your property.

Why a Land Stewardship Plan?

Effective land stewardship starts with a well-developed management plan. This plan is critical to achieving your property goals, be it for agriculture, wildlife, or forest benefits. Management plans serve as written guides that outline current conditions, desired outcomes, and specific actions to improve the quality and diversity of your property for your goals.

A wildlife habitat management plan, for instance, offers numerous benefits, including identifying the wildlife species present or desired on your property and their habitat requirements. It also helps prioritize and schedule the best practices such as planting native vegetation, creating water sources, controlling invasive species, or conducting prescribed burns. Additionally, it allows you to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your actions and adjust your plan as needed. You can also access financial and technical assistance from various programs and agencies that support wildlife conservation on private lands.

A land stewardship plan is a valuable tool that can make your property more attractive and beneficial for wildlife. By creating a plan, you can manage your land proactively and enjoy the rewards of seeing more profitable agricultural practices, healthy wildlife populations on your property, and higher-quality forest resources. These benefits translate to wildlife, watershed protection, and sustainable income from your investment in property for both you and your family into the future.

As your professional consultant, I can help you develop a sound and successful stewardship plan for the land entrusted to your care. I am confident that with my assistance, you can leave a wise heritage and achieve your property goals. Don't hesitate to contact me; I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Best regards,

Tim Russell