By:
Stu Hutson 352-392-0400Source(s):
Bill Giuliano docg@ufl.edu, 352-846-0575
Jim Selph jimselph@ufl.edu, 863-993-4846
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Turkeys on your property probably won’t drown by looking skyward in a downpour, but keep an eye on the rain gauge or you might end up with wet hen syndrome. To get deer to hang around, try maintaining their favorite trees: hardwoods like cherry and black gum.
Maintaining healthy and ample turkey and deer populations, whether for hunting or just wildlife appreciation, can be a tricky business. But landowners, ranchers and wildlife managers can learn tips and tricks from the experts Aug. 18 at the first Florida Deer and Turkey Management Shortcourse.
Organized by the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the course will take place in the Turner Center Exhibit Hall in Arcadia, Fla., and will present the latest in scientific advice—in layman’s terms—from experts in academia, the hunting industry and natural resource agencies.
“There are definitely a number of steps you can take to improve the health and number of turkey and deer—many being just good common sense,” said Jim Selph, the DeSoto County Livestock Agricultural Extension Director and one of the meeting’s coordinators. “But even simple steps can go a long way towards making life better for both you and the animals.”
For example, attendees will learn how to plant edible forage in feed plots distributed throughout their land. A common mistake, Selph said, is to plant a single plot in the center of the land. This forces the animals to congregate in a central, often smaller location—not only making competition for that food fiercer, but also increasing the chances of an attack from a predator.
“One thing people usually don’t realize is that they also need the right ratios of open space and brush or foliage,” said Brian Zielinski, a biologist from the National Wild Turkey Federation who will deliver a presentation dubbed “Turkey Facts.” “And it’s not just having enough of one or the other, the borders between open and closed spaces is crucial to a lot of animals’ activities like nesting.”
Other topics will include proper harvest management, how to recognize and identify the animals, balancing the needs of cattle and game animals, and many others. The course will run from 8 a.m. until approximately 4:30 p.m. The presenters will give a tour of a local ranch in the afternoon to show the real-life implementation of practices discussed in the morning. A noon meal of smoked ribs will be provided. Registration costs $50 and ends Aug. 11; however, applicants may also register late for $75. For more information, please go to http://desoto.ifas.ufl.edu/wildlife_and_conservation.htm, or call 863-993-4846.
For more information from IFAS about wildlife conservation and management, visit http://wildlifeandag.wec.ufl.edu/ and http://floridaquail.wec.ufl.edu/.
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