The Necessitates of Hunting Land

Many people are lucky in owning their own property to hunt, but for some (like me) who are currently looking for quality hunting land, it can be frustrating and difficult to locate exactly what I want. There are three prime ingredients when it comes to finding quality hunting land that will keep and hold wildlife. If you can locate property with these three, the rest should fall into place.

The first ingredient is food. More than likely when you are walking a potential property there will be no planted food plots. But food comes in many forms in a natural setting for wildlife and if you know what you are looking for then you can hold wildlife by simply managing the food source already available. Oak species (both white and red) are an amazing food source for wildlife. Deer, turkey, ducks, squirrels and various other game and non-game species rely heavily on their acorns. Acorns are high in carbohydrates which provide a high source of energy in a small package. Acorns from red oak species are typically higher in protein, calories and fat, however they also tend to be higher in fiber and tannins which reduces their digestibility. White oaks, however, are more preferred due to their better tasting qualities. Both species of oaks are good to have in an area, as white oak acorns tend to break down more quickly once they have hit the forest floor. Food also comes in various other forms. The dreaded ragweed is another great option when considering food. It is a native plant which grows in great supply and if mananged so as to not grow out of control can produce seeds which are a great food source to native upland bird species as well as provide browse for deer.

The second ingredient is shelter. Just like humans, wildlife require shelter in order to survive. Shelter is species specific but in some cases humans can create shelter for wildlife. If you like to hunt small game, then providing nesting dens for squirrels is an adequate way to allow more options for shelter. Blueprints on squirrel nesting boxes can be found online. Simply leaving dead tree standing is another great option, if there is no threat to nearby buildings. But shelter is different for each species of wildlife we encounter and you must know your game species in order to provide shelter. Bedding areas for deer is essential and making sure that it is close to a food and water source is always important when selecting an area to purchase.

The last ingredient is water. Without water there would be no life upon earth, all living beings require some source of water in order to survive. A water source is especially important when selecting hunting land. Having a stable supply of water is what will guarantee to keep wildlife on your property and draw others in. A source of water can come in many forms; ponds, lakes, seasonal streams or creeks. A permanent source of water is preferred over one that can dry up in the heat of the summer. Deer, turkey, small game and non-game species will seek out the water source and in turn will desire your property over another that has nothing to provide.

These three simple ingredients are important to keep in mind when looking for potential hunting land to purchase or lease. If one is missing many states have programs available to land owners to assist with costs of putting in structures that can keep and hold wildlife on their properties. Just like with cooking, if all of the ingredients are there everything should fall into place.