Whether or not you decide to start a wildlife enterprise, you can implement wildlife habitat management practices.  A few common habitat practices in the southern U.S. are presented.  A particular practice may be more beneficial to wildlife than another -- but may not correspond to its cost.  Some practices may cost more than the benefit it provides.  Costs include not only equipment, materials and supplies, but also your time and labor.  Other property uses also needs to be considered.  Sometimes simply strip disking every two or three years may be more beneficial than planting food plots.  Conversely, strip disking may not be an option where timber production is the primary goal.  Therefore, planting food plots may be an option.

Which habitat practice is best depends on your particular circumstance.  What type of habitat do you have or need?  Which wildlife species?  How much time and money do you want to invest?  Only you can develop a wildlife habitat plan that best meets your needs.  There are a number of wildlife and forestry professionals who can help with designing your plan.  Some government programs may even pay part of the cost for habitat improvement.  After completing this section of the module, you will be well on your way to planning the habitat components of your wildlife enterprise.

Learning Objectives for this module:

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• improve your ability to judge wildlife habitat.
• identify at least ten management practices which will enhance wildlife habitat in agriculture and pasturelands, forests, and wet areas.
• understand the components of a natural resource inventory, including how to acquire property maps.
• design a wildlife habitat plan for your property.
• know technical and financial resources that are available for improving wildlife habitat on your property.