Spring 2015 A publication of the Wildlife Diversity Program—Getting Texans Involved
Habitips
In General
- Monitor grazing program to provide nesting cover and plant diversity
- Clean your hummingbird feeders every three or four days.
- Control feral hogs through trapping or hunting
- Leave some unharvested winter crops next to the field edges
- Defer grazing in some pastures to ensure nesting cover for ground nesting birds next spring - July to September
May
- Prepare ground and plant summer food plots
- Monitor wildlife food plots, high protein foods in May and June are critical for antler growth
- Cowbird trapping season ends May 31. Report all trapping data to TPWD
- Thin cedar and midstory hardwoods from sites adjacent to turkey roost trees
- Begin fire ant control as daytime temperatures reach 85 degrees
June
- Walk through hay meadows before mowing to reduce wildlife mortality. Consider leaving unmowed strips
- Do not mow wildflowers until seed pods have matured.
- Make sure wildlife water sources are operable
July
- Monitor / fluctuate water in wetland areas.
- Provide supplemental water for wildlife if necessary
- Complete wetland dike repairs as needed
- Start planning for fall youth hunts to assist in reaching wildlife management population goals
August
- Monitor wetlands for signs of botulism. Notify TPWD of any signs of illness
- Monitor grazing pressure on rangelands and move cattle accordingly.
- Conduct spotlight deer counts
- Roadside disking will promote germination of forbs
- Provide some supplementary water for wildlife when needed
- Clean and maintain bird feeders and nest boxes when birds have finished nesting
September
- Prepare ground and plant winter crops
- Conduct soil tests on food plot sites
- Shred or disk sunflowers, millet and goat weed for doves
- Begin flooding moist soil units for ducks
- Hummingbird migration peaks this month. Begin providing additional feeders
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744
