Introduction:

The purpose behind this project is to identify the impacts of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) food plots on songbirds and small mammals. Food plots and plantings for deer and other game species have been rising in popularity over the past three decades. There is now estimated over one million acres planted in food plots in the eastern United States. Food plots have become more popular in recent years and have the potential to grow to over two million acres in the next three decades. While it is clear these plantings are beneficial to deer and other games species, little is known about their impacts on non game species. Donalty et. al and Parker et. al have looked at the impacts of food plots on some non game species, but their research was limited spatially, geographically, and gathered small data sets with low species diversity. The areas in question are whether these fragmented habitats increase parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), or increase edge depredation. Land managers lack planning information on wildlife food plots. Through research in both quantification and qualification of food plots on songbirds and small mammals land managers would gain valuable information. Currently, land managers throughout the eastern United States question the overall effects of food plots on all wildlife species, including non game species. These land managers desire to make decisions based on scientific research, but there is none available. This project is designed to study the positive and negative impacts of forested wildlife openings planted in deer food plots on songbirds and small mammals in the northeastern and southeastern United States. This project is funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Quality Deer Management Association.

The project is designed to help federal, state, and private managers gain a larger understanding of the impacts of food plots on songbirds and small mammals in North America. Since food plots are growing in popularity this will help management and be applicable to managers that want to encourage food plots as a management tool for game species, non game species, or all wildlife species. The study is in the northeastern United States and the southeastern United States so managers all along the east coast will be able to identify the differences geographically to better target their desired species. Also, Non-Government Organizations and Natural Resource Agencies will have a better understanding of the overall impacts of food plots. This project is intended to be published in scientific journals, popular magazines, aired on television, shown at professional meetings, shown at public meetings, and entered into the wildlife curriculum and wildlife extension. This project on the impacts of deer food plots on non game species will uncover ground breaking research that will benefit the natural resource community. This project will help to improve food plots for deer and other game species, as well as non game species.

For more information for volunteers at the Northern Sites Click Here.

For more information for potential site candidates Click Here.