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Crops for Wildlife Plantings, Recommendations, Establishment & Management

Crops for Wildlife Plantings, Recommendations, Establishment & Management Source: LSU AgCenter Planting cereal grains benefits wildlife attracted to the planted area and those viewing or harvesting the wildlife. When planting food plots, you must take care to avoid having a legitimate and legal practice from becoming an illegal baiting activity.
The purpose of this publication is to document what crop and wildlife management personnel from the LSU AgCenter’s Cooperative Extension Service deem as accepted and approved planting, management and harvest procedures for a variety of species planted in
Louisiana for wildlife management purposes. In all cases, the greatest possible window of opportunity has been provided as to planting dates, planting practices and other management activities as they relate to the overall management of the plant species listed.
Wildlife management plantings are often successful without the high grain yields associated with many commercial grain operations.
Therefore planting dates for wildlife food plots in some cases may be outside dates in which crop establishment is intended to produce high grain yields. When done in a legitimate manner, crops may be grown entirely to attract wildlife, and those engaged in these activities need not be classified as “farmers.” Fertilization rates for all species listed should be according to soil test results. Many species that are planted in summer can serve as an attractant for doves when plantings mature and seed. Be careful when establishing fall plantings for white-tailed deer and turkey. In these areas, seed must be adequately covered to prevent it from attracting migratory birds to the area where hunting will occur.
Manipulation of standing crops to improve their attractiveness to doves is allowed to a great extent, but these same crops must be left
undisturbed where waterfowl will be hunted. Time and distance are two factors to consider when baited areas are associated with bird usage. Any area in which the bait has been removed is considered baited for a 10-day period following removal of the bait source.
There is no set distance from a “baited” source from which a person is considered legal in hunting any migratory bird. Baited areas can influence the movement and concentration of migratory birds over other areas. Where “influence” can be determined, the area is considered baited and off limits to hunting.
Information on specific baiting issues can be obtained by accessing the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s home page at www.fws.gov or by contacting.
Cool Season Plantings
Species Seedbed Preparation Seeding Rate Planting Dates Maturation Period

Wheat Disk; plant; cover seed Drill: 60 lbs. September 1 -
to 1” maximum depth; Broadcast: 80 lbs. November 1
optimal pH: 5.5-6.5
Oats Disk; plant; cover seed Drill: 60 lbs. September 1 -
to 1” maximum depth; Broadcast: 80 lbs. November 1
optimal pH: 5.5-6.5
Ryegrass Disk; plant; cover seed Drill: 20 lbs. September 1 -
to 1” maximum depth; Broadcast: 30 lbs. November 1
optimal pH: 6.0
Elbon Rye Disk; plant; cover seed Drill: 60 lbs. September 1 -
to 1” maximum depth; Broadcast: 80 lbs. November 15
optimal pH: 5.6-6.5
Winter Clovers Disk; plant; cover seed Drill: 6 lbs. September 1 -
to 1/2” maximum (Crimson: 15 lbs.) November 15
depth; optimal pH: 7.0 Broadcast: 8 lbs.
(Crimson: 20 lbs.)
Winter Peas Disk; plant; cover seed Drill: 40 lbs. September 1 -
to 1” maximum depth; Broadcast: 60 lbs. November 1
optimal pH: 6.0-7.0
a Pounds per acre unless otherwise specified and represent the maximum recommended. Depending on plant management and wildlife species, lower planting rates are frequently used, especially for quail and turkey.
b Production, particularly of large-seeded plants such as chufa and corn may be reduced slightly by late planting dates.
c Maturation period generally shortens later in the planting season, and plant height is often reduced.
enforcement personnel at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries