The Pitfalls of Govt Funded Forestry Projects

NRCS projects funded through the EQIP (environmental quality incentive program) can fund things like forestry herbicide applications, non-commercial thinning, and in this case, neotropical songbird habitat that included a deer exclusion fence.
Fences are great for keeping deer out of an area so they dont eat up all the regeneration. The problem with this projects is that, as with most govt programs, it falls short of achieving the actual goal of the program.
This lazy landowner group, never did any of the followup work necessary to achieve oak regeneration and re-introduction of native plants. They took a hands-off, whatever I get for free approach I see all too often.
By fencing deer out and letting the stand regenerate 95% Birch trees, there is no benefit to deer in terms of food and cover. After 20 years, this stand is still useless to deer.
When you are trying to use NRCS EQIP programs, make sure you find a way to make it align with your goals for the property. And, make sure you go into it with awareness of your obligations to people who don't always have your best interest in mind.

If wildlife habitat, whitetail deer habitat improvement is your goal, work with a good consulting forester who understands your goals for the property.

To get more information on making your land more attractive to wildlife and better for hunting, check out my website: www.chilcoteforester.com

To become a food plot expert, get my course here: schilcote1223.mastermind.com/masterminds/39101

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