Food Cover Basics

When done correctly, food plots provide a critical link between food, cover and movement for pheasants.

When done correctly, food plots provide a critical link between food, cover and movement for pheasants.

The importance of food plots oftentimes overshadows the real need on the landscape - Nesting cover! That being said, food plots do have a role in pheasant management because of the relationship between food, winter cover, movement and mortality.

Winter food is usually in abundant supply and starvation of wild pheasants is practically unheard of, so the principle objective of food and cover plots is to help carry female birds through the winter in good condition. This is accomplished by establishing safe foraging patterns, providing a dependable source of food and restricting unnecessary movements.

The two critical design factors for food plots are location and size.

Grain-based Food Plots

High energy, grain-based food plots (including corn, sorghum, millets, etc.) are an essential wildlife management practice for game birds and other wildlife on private lands. Regardless of winter severity, it makes good sense to provide additional food and cover for crisis situations, to use food plots to increase habitat diversity, and to create habitat for hunting and wildlife viewing. Where primary winter cover is limited, planting grain-based mixes (like sorghums) will provide great cover structure in addition to food, and creating larger plots will improve shelter for your birds. That will help you achieve your primary objective—to bring your hens through the winter in peak condition for breeding, where improved spring body weight helps maximize chick production.

Browse Mixes

The Bird and Buck Line of green browse mixes from Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever provide forage that will help attract big game to your farm and that, in some cases, can also provide high quality brood habitat for upland birds. These mixes are a magnet for wildlife and will attract whitetails and other species to your property and hold them there. PF/QF browse mixes are comprised of specially developed protein and energy rich forage that deer and turkey find irresistible. In addition, Bird and Buck forage mixes create a leafy, insect rich structure that is important for game bird chicks. Find out more about Pheasants Forever Signature Series Food and Cover Mixes.

For more about food plots, visit the Food Plot FAQ page, consult Pheasants Forever's Essential Habitat Guide or contact the Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Biologist in your area.