Biology And Management Of White-tailed Deer In Alabama

cult. Many of these new crops show promise as deer forages. They are
highly nutritious and highly palatable, and many can grow on a wide
variety of sites. Unfortunately, many of these new crops are expensive,
which is a major drawback for most hunting clubs and landowners. Still
others do not produce as advertised. Luckily, there are several crops
used by wildlife managers for years that are consistent producers of
high quality forage.
It is best to plant a combination of seeds in wildlife openings.
This applies to both warm-season and cool-season crops. Planting a
combination helps minimize the chances of total crop failure due to
drought, poor seed, pests, diseases, or any of a number of other problems
(Koerth and Kroll 1994). Ideally, the various plants in the
combination will mature at different rates and extend the period of productivity
for most wildlife openings (Koerth and Kroll 1994). Using
combinations also can reduce grazing pressure on certain crops until
they become established.
For cool-season wildlife openings, the most frequently planted
combinations include various small grains and clovers. Other crops
such as vetch, Austrian winter pea, and broadleaf crops in the Brassica
family (rape, kale, turnips, etc.) also can be used. These combinations
are planted in the fall and most will remain productive until late spring/
early summer. An assortment of crops gives the deer manager many
options for planting cool-season openings. One of the best combinations
for an annual cool-season wildlife opening in Alabama includes
wheat (one bushel per acre), oats (one bushel per acre), crimson clover
(eight pounds per acre), and arrowleaf clover (four pounds per acre).
This seed combination works in a wide variety of soil types. If planted
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