Planting crops for Pheasants

Dad gave me the go to plant the 5 acre hay feild into something more productive for wildlife. I thought I would do something for the birds.

Millo, Millet, Soghrem (sp?) switchgrass and the small corn.

Any ideas on how to plant this stuff? We have the equipment to do it but I am seeking advice what plant, how , and in what kind of a pattern I guess.

Thanks in advance.

I’d probably go with praire grass and corn. The praire grass for nesting habitat and the corn for feed and cover in the harsh winters. What sort of habitat surrounds the area? If the birds are short on cover and feed, corn. If you have lots of corn around give them something to nest in. Or, do both?

BIRDDOG

I’d probably go with praire grass and corn. The praire grass for nesting habitat and the corn for feed and cover in the harsh winters. What sort of habitat surrounds the area? If the birds are short on cover and feed, corn. If you have lots of corn around give them something to nest in. Or, do both?

BIRDDOG

Thanks,

There is no shortage of corn or beans that is for sure. I was looking at making a place for them to nest and lay eggs as well as taking a couple of birds in the fall.

I hear them in the early am cackling whne I am bow hunting. I am hoping to draw them into our area. They are fun to watch and taste pretty darn good as well.

My parents just rent out the hay fields and they do nto get much in return. So why not have some fun with it?

Thanks,

There is no shortage of corn or beans that is for sure. I was looking at making a place for them to nest and lay eggs as well as taking a couple of birds in the fall.

I hear them in the early am cackling whne I am bow hunting. I am hoping to draw them into our area. They are fun to watch and taste pretty darn good as well.

My parents just rent out the hay fields and they do nto get much in return. So why not have some fun with it?

You may want to contact Pheasants forever and see what they have to say. In the area I pheasant hunt you can really see the positive effects of the crp and “set aside” programs, where there used to be corn and bean fields is now native praire grass…and the birds love it! IMHO it’s the reason pheasants are on the rise here in Mn, well that and the mild winters. Our best hunting is generally in CRP fields or the fields that parallel them. There are evenings we’ll just sit in the truck and watch the birds flock to these fields by the hundreds. Not only great habitat for pheasants but all wildlife. Good luck!

BIRDDOG

You may want to contact Pheasants forever and see what they have to say. In the area I pheasant hunt you can really see the positive effects of the crp and “set aside” programs, where there used to be corn and bean fields is now native praire grass…and the birds love it! IMHO it’s the reason pheasants are on the rise here in Mn, well that and the mild winters. Our best hunting is generally in CRP fields or the fields that parallel them. There are evenings we’ll just sit in the truck and watch the birds flock to these fields by the hundreds. Not only great habitat for pheasants but all wildlife. Good luck!

BIRDDOG

Contact http://www.pheasant.com and ask them what they plant in the pens, they will help you out. 608-757-7881

Contact http://www.pheasant.com and ask them what they plant in the pens, they will help you out. 608-757-7881

There is a product called Buck N Cock. It is by far the best product I have found. I have two test plots in this year. It is basically a minature cane. It grows about 4 ft high and has a stalk that will stand up all winter. It gets a seed head on top that deer and pheasants love. I have tried just about everything.

A good stand of switchgrass takes 5 years to establish. I have some that has been in for 4 years and it is just about ready to hunt. Check into Buck N Cock, like I said, it is by far the best product out there.

Most of what was mentioned earlier will not stand up after the first wet snow.

There is a product called Buck N Cock. It is by far the best product I have found. I have two test plots in this year. It is basically a minature cane. It grows about 4 ft high and has a stalk that will stand up all winter. It gets a seed head on top that deer and pheasants love. I have tried just about everything.

A good stand of switchgrass takes 5 years to establish. I have some that has been in for 4 years and it is just about ready to hunt. Check into Buck N Cock, like I said, it is by far the best product out there.

Most of what was mentioned earlier will not stand up after the first wet snow.

Hey Scott, where did you find this stuff. My dad is always looking for alternatives to the corn he plants in his pens. Does this stuff require a lot of moisture? Centeral SD can be pretty dry. Let me know, I’ll get him some to try next spring. Thanks!!!

Hey Scott, where did you find this stuff. My dad is always looking for alternatives to the corn he plants in his pens. Does this stuff require a lot of moisture? Centeral SD can be pretty dry. Let me know, I’ll get him some to try next spring. Thanks!!!

Buck N Cock is available at most seed dealers now I think. If not, they can order it. My brother-in-law picked it up in Platte SD at the seed dealer there. It is very drought tolerant and can stand heavy graving from deer.

A friend of mine picked some up at our local seed dealer also. So, this leads me to believe it is available lots of places. It comes in a orange bag and 50 pounds covers 10 acres.

Buck N Cock is available at most seed dealers now I think. If not, they can order it. My brother-in-law picked it up in Platte SD at the seed dealer there. It is very drought tolerant and can stand heavy graving from deer.

A friend of mine picked some up at our local seed dealer also. So, this leads me to believe it is available lots of places. It comes in a orange bag and 50 pounds covers 10 acres.

Thanks!! I did a quick search for this stuff and you can imagine what google came up with….

Thanks!! I did a quick search for this stuff and you can imagine what google came up with….

I would shy away from millet. It may be good cover, but the seeds spread like wildfire and you may cause your dad and neighboring farmers a headache because it will migrate into their commercial crops.

I love when any farmer sets aside land for the wildlife. Cudos to you and your Pa.

I would shy away from millet. It may be good cover, but the seeds spread like wildfire and you may cause your dad and neighboring farmers a headache because it will migrate into their commercial crops.

I love when any farmer sets aside land for the wildlife. Cudos to you and your Pa.

I looked for a while today for Buck and Cock and I am having a hard time finding it on the web. Any ideas if there is a dealer that sells it around the Twin Cities? Or if there is a web site that I could research this product?

I looked for a while today for Buck and Cock and I am having a hard time finding it on the web. Any ideas if there is a dealer that sells it around the Twin Cities? Or if there is a web site that I could research this product?

I have yet to find it on the web. I’ve told my parents about it. If their local seed dealer can find it, I’ll try to get more info.

I have yet to find it on the web. I’ve told my parents about it. If their local seed dealer can find it, I’ll try to get more info.

Thanks for the help. Scott Steil said he would pick me up a bag when he is over in SD this Oct.

We are going to get the feild work done this weekend hopefully.

Thanks for the help. Scott Steil said he would pick me up a bag when he is over in SD this Oct.

We are going to get the feild work done this weekend hopefully.

Seed Exchange
21607 368th Ave.,
Platte, SD 57369
605-337-9882
605-680-2485
[email protected]

This is where I got the stuff. I found a hat last night that said Buck n Cock on it Them I remembered the place was called the seed exchange. The stuff is awesome. I will be out in Platte hunting in October so I can get more info if you guys want.

Seed Exchange
21607 368th Ave.,
Platte, SD 57369
605-337-9882
605-680-2485
[email protected]

This is where I got the stuff. I found a hat last night that said Buck n Cock on it Them I remembered the place was called the seed exchange. The stuff is awesome. I will be out in Platte hunting in October so I can get more info if you guys want.