With dove season and archery deer season now open, many Lincoln County residents are looking forward to an abundant harvest of wildlife for sport and sustenance. Whether you’re a hunter or homeowner, creating habitat for native wildlife on your property can provide opportunity for recreation and enjoyment and help conserve our natural resources and species. When considering how to make your property wildlife-friendly, you’ll want to think about what you include (plants, feeders, water sources) and where you’ll place them.
A habitat consists of four different things that are unique to each wildlife species: food, water, shelter, and the ability to raise young. When one of these elements is lacking, wildlife cannot thrive. Food is one of the easiest things for you to provide and is one of the best ways to draw wildlife to your property. Food sources might include passive landscape additions like grasses, flowers, shrubs, and trees, or supplemental feed like birdseed, hummingbird feeders, or wildlife feeders. If you provide supplemental feed; be sure to provide adequate amounts in the right seasons for your desired species. Water is also a key component of habitat but can be more difficult to provide if you don’t have a natural water source on your property. Water can be provided for wildlife through natural sources like ponds and creeks or through man-made sources like birdbaths and ornamental pools. A man-made water source can also be a pretty focal point in a yard, adding visual interest and balance to your landscape. Shelter is the third component of habitat, which provides wildlife protection from the weather, predators, and areas to rest and raise young. Different wildlife species have different cover requirements, so providing multiple types will help entice a variety of species to your property. Consider rock piles or stone walls for reptiles, low-growing shrubs and grasses for rabbits and small mammals, or water features for amphibians like frogs and turtles. A variety of plantings including grasses, shrubs, and multiple tree sizes can ensure wildlife have the cover they need to feel secure on your property. When you organize your food, water, and cover, be sure that they are located close to each other to allow wildlife to meet their needs without feeling unsafe or skittish.
If you meet the habitat requirements for wildlife species, you’ll likely find your property has visitors of all shapes and sizes. Georgia is home to many native species across a variety of wildlife types. Common amphibians and reptiles you might attract include salamanders, frogs, toads, anoles, turtles, skinks, and snakes. A pretty garden also attracts a wide variety of insects, from bees and wasps to crickets and grasshoppers, ants, moths and butterflies, beetles, and many others. All of those insects and plants also feed a host of birds, from songbirds and woodpeckers to birds of prey like the Red-tailed hawk. Your property may become a popular destination for mammals large and small – from squirrels and moles to bats, opossums, and raccoons to our white-tailed deer and coyotes.
Regardless of the size of your property or where it is located, these simple considerations can bring an exciting array of wildlife to your doorstep. Sometimes, these wildlife become nuisance animals – more on that to come in the future. If you need any assistance with wildlife management and habitat development, please contact us at uge3181@uga.edu or 706-359-3233.
