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Wildlife seek areas with food, water
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- Mississippi hunters will reap the benefits of well-managed wildlife areas and food plots following this summer's drought.
Bronson Strickland, assistant professor of wildlife with Mississippi State University's Extension Service, said nutritional stress caused by the drought is likely to impact fawn survival, adult body weight and antler development.
“The good news is that land managers have created ideal hunting situations if they worked to ensure good forage is available. Now is the time to be planning for cool-season food-plot plantings, such as winter wheat, oats, and crimson and arrowleaf clover,” Strickland said. “Animals will be drawn to food plots more than normal because of the drought. Clearings that have been bush-hogged and fertilized may be good places to hunt this year, too.”
Strickland said the drought does not rule out a good acorn crop this fall, which is important to deer and squirrels. Reports from some areas of the state indicate smaller nuts and an earlier shedding period because of the drought. Squirrels should be minimally affected by the drought, except in areas impacted by last year's hurricane damage.
Quail, already suffering from decades of reduced numbers, will experience additional reductions in hatchling survival.
“Some quail may have had successful nests in the spring, but drought and high temperatures cause heat stress and limit cover available for nesting success. The second nests in the late summer and early fall will not make it,” Strickland said. “The second hatch is an important factor in future populations.”
Strickland said turkey and dove populations should not be significantly impacted by the drought conditions.
Scott Baker, migratory game bird program leader with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said land managers will have to pump more water than normal to flood land for this season's waterfowl if the current dry conditions persist through the fall and winter.
“With the prices of fuel and electricity so high, some people may decide not to run their pumps this year,” Baker said. “Ducks will be flying south regardless, and good numbers are expected this year based on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service surveys.”
Baker said poor yields from this fall's harvests could further impact bird habitats.
“It will be important that landowners avoid flooding agricultural fields too early since the warm water will speed up the deterioration process of the waste grain,” Baker said. “The drought could help sloughs dry up and allow native grasses to germinate and grow, which will provide important food resources. Ducks survived on native foods a long time before man started planting corn and soybeans.”
Bakers said Mississippi's waterfowl habitats are important for providing adequate energy and good body condition for birds' return trips in late winter and early spring.