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                                                                             REGIONAL OFFICE

                                                                                                Mike J. Parker

                                                                                                1313 Sandhill Dr.

                                                                                                            DeWitt, MI 48820

                                                                                                                                   (517) 668-1033

Establishing Food Plots for Pheasants

 

Winter Pheasant Biology & Food

Food is not considered a limiting factor in the traditional pheasant range.  In fact, starvation of wild pheasants is practically unheard of.  Why, then, do most biologists consider food plots an essential part of good pheasant management?  The answer is simple—winter cover is much more effective with a high-energy food source nearby.  Food plots are critical for pheasant management because of the relationship between food, winter cover, movement and mortality.  That being said, most landowners will have the greatest impact on their pheasant populations by establishing large blocks of secure nesting cover and quality winter cover.  Food plots actually comprise the smallest piece of the habitat puzzle.     

            The protective nature of cover on the landscape changes remarkably during winter.  Grain stubble and weed patches that concealed feeding birds during fall are soon buried in winter’s blowing snow.  Unlike fall when birds are widely scattered, pheasants concentrate in limited heavy roosting cover during winter, venturing only as far as needed.  They hesitate to feed beyond a quarter mile from cover, even if abundant food exists beyond that range.  Thus, food near these islands of habitat is quickly reduced.  Pheasants feeding on waste grain buried in the snow are forced to forage further from cover each day, exposed to predation and harsh winter weather in the open.

It’s even trickier for hen pheasants, however.  It’s not merely staying alive--they must actively gain weight through mid-winter in order to replenish that lost during the previous nesting season.  Hens that undergo a great deal of stress during the winter months suffer their highest mortality rate the following spring during nesting, and there is a strong correlation between spring body weight and successful chick production.  Well-placed food patches establish safe foraging patterns, restrict unnecessary movements, and provide dependable food to carry female birds through harsh winters in good condition.  Even in a mild winter, the closer secure winter cover and food are positioned, the more pheasants will benefit. 

 

What to Plant?

Plan your food plots carefully, keeping the previous discussion in mind, and taking the worst-case scenario into account.  Corn ranks as the top grain producer for pheasants.  Grain sorghum provides both winter cover and food, but often fails to mature in Michigan’s northern climate.   Both corn and sorghum retain grain on stalks, stand well in winter weather and provide very high-energy food.  Planting alternating strips of corn and sorghum will ensure both food and cover are available.  Large blocks of corn and combinations of forage sorghum and grain sorghum can also provide excellent cover.  Wheat, soybeans, millets, rye and buckwheat are good food sources, but are often buried by snow, forcing birds into the open to utilize them.  Food plot mixes combining many of the crops above are available from most Michigan PF chapters and can be broadcast for easy establishment.

 

Size and Location:

Food plots should always be located next to heavy winter cover that is frequented by pheasants and other upland wildlife.  Whenever possible, food plots should be located directly adjacent to and downwind of herbaceous winter cover, such as switchgrass.  If this is not possible, effective food plots can be established nearby if they are linked via corridors of escape cover to traditional winter cover.  Plant food plots ranging from 1 to 10 acres.  Consider deer density when deciding how large a plot to establish.  A general rule of thumb is to plant 2 acres of food per 80 acres of habitat.

 

Lime & Fertilizer:

Soil is the building block from which plants grow.  Failure to address the proper soil nutrient levels will reduce grain production and can result in failure of the plot.  Sampling and soil testing is the only way to know for certain the existing nutrient levels and which nutrients must be added to achieve optimum plant growth.  Never guess…always soil test!  Soil test boxes can be obtained from your local MSU Extension office and should be done the fall prior to planting.  If lime is needed, it should be spread the fall before planting.  Follow the recommendations of the MSU Extension agent and apply fertilizer prior to secondary tillage.  In the event a soil test is not available, apply 200 lbs. 12-12-12 per acre prior to planting for sunflowers, grain sorghum, forage sorghum and millet.  For corn, apply a blend of 400 lbs. 12-12-12 and 100 lbs. Urea (46-0-0) per acre in the spring. 

Planting:

Whether by standard tractor and corn planter or grain drill, or via broadcast seeder mounted on ATV or pickup truck, there is a way to get a food plot in the ground where it will do the most good for wildlife.  If you are without planting equipment, it may be available to rent from local PF chapter or conservation district.  Many soil districts and Michigan PF chapters have equipment to rent or provide planting services at nominal rates.

 

Planting can be done by: 1) broadcasting seed into a conventionally tilled seedbed, 2) planted with a corn-planter or drill into a conventionally tilled seedbed, 3) no-till drilled into stubble or soil treated with herbicides to eliminate existing vegetation.

No-till Planting:

Allow the site to “green-up” and spray with glyphosate (Roundup) herbicide

Drill seed at proper rate and depth

           

Conventional Tillage:

Prepare the soil bed by plowing, disking and culti-packing to create a level, weed-free site.

Broadcast seed, drill or use corn planter to plant seed at proper rate and depth.  

Common Mistakes:

• More is better!  Do not exceed recommended planting rates.  Excess seed leads to increased plant competition, stunted growth and failure of the stand.
• Not fertilizing & liming.  Most grains need soil amendments to help them grow and produce grain.  Always test the soil and follow test recommendations.
• Failing to ensure good seed-to-soil contact.  Prepare a firm seed bed and always cultipack when broadcasting.
• Improper weed control.  Weeds out-compete the slower growing grain crops for available sunlight & nutrients.

Food Plot Crop	Planting Method	Advantages & Disadvantages	Other Considerations
Corn	Corn Planter, regular row spacings	Stands well throughout winter, provides excellent cover in large block plantings	High energy/protein food, deer & turkeys prefer and can clean out food plots quickly
Grain Sorghum	Corn planter with sorghum plates, grain drill, or broadcast harrow & cultipack,	Waist to chest high, excellent cover in large blocks.  Plant with forage sorghum in alternating double rows.	Better suited to southern states than MI.  Does not always mature in MI.  May receive less attention from deer than corn.
Forage Sorghum	Corn planter with sorghum plates, grain drill, or broadcast harrow & cultipack,	Head high or taller, may snap off & lodge, plant with grain sorghum per specs above	Plant grain bearing varieties rather than Sudax/Sudan, if possible.
Sunflowers	broadcast harrow & cultipack, grain drill	Excellent high energy food, but little cover.  Songbirds devour prior to winter.	Best mixed with other crops, heavy songbird use.
PF Food Plot “Mixes”  Michigan Mix  Nebraska Mix  Winter Survival Mix	Field prep, broadcast, harrow & cultipack using tractor, ATV or other vehicle	Wide food variety, good cover, tall plants curtail lodging of weaker plants, some food buried by deep snows.	Normally contains corn, grain & forage sorghum, sunflowers, millet, buckwheat, in various combinations

 

 

Food Type	Drilling Rate	Broadcast Rate (lbs/acre)	Planting Depth (inches)	Planting Dates
Corn	10	15-20	1/2 – 2 ½	April 20 to May 25
Sunflowers	10	10-15	1 - 2	May 1 - 25
Grain Sorghum	6-10	10-15	1 - 2	May 1 to June 10
Soybean	30	45	1 ½ - 2	May 1 to July 1
Millet	10	15-20	½ - 1	May 1 to June 20
Buckwheat	40	50	½ - 1	June 1 to July 15
Forage Sorghum	10	10-15	1 - 2	May 15 – June 1
MI Mix	n/a	1 acre/bag	Up to 2	April 20 – May 25
Winter Survival Mix	n/a	2 acres/bag	Up to 2	May 1 to June 1

For more information on food plots contact your local PF chapter or Mike Parker, PF Regional Biologist, at 517-668-1033 or e-mail at mparker@pheasantsforever.org.