A unit of Lasting Forests Sustained forests; sustained profits evolving since March 30, 1999

The Wild Animal Action-List

Many landowners, at least when they begin their interest and work with the wildlife resource, simply "want more wildlife." As their interest matures, they usually name groups of animals or single species as their primary objective, then move to more clear-cut objectives such as "providing many hours of opportunities of high quality hunts of species X" or "maximum hours of opportunities for observing more than 40 species of birds." The following action-list is for wild animals in general. These are things to do that rarely harm any species but tend to benefit one or more species that seem important to many people. One reason for presenting the list is to show the complexity of one of the wildlife management decisions. Another reason is to provide a checklist. On an area when 80% of these are implemented, the area should be rich with wildlife. The practices need to be maintained, replaced, replanted, etc. As interests mature, information on species of high interest will be provided. A large database now exists and custom work will be done for landowners with specific interests.

The list is presented in no particular order. It should be used creatively and preferably with a wildlife resource manager for maximum understanding and custom-fitting for each unique ownership. It is almost meaningless without specific objectives. The list is long and growing.

1. Place boundary and other helpful signs for users
2. Re-survey and clarify boundaries
3. Build trails (also firebreaks)
4. Improve trails
5. Do selective timber cutting
6. Girdle 1-2 trees to form a gap in the forest
7. Plant conifers in small patches in hardwood forests
8. Do group-selection tree harvests (hereinafter "harvest" always implies an associated regeneration strategy or set of tactics)
9. Do patch clearcut tree harvests
10. Do shelterwood harvest
11. Use classical timber stand improvement techniques (TSI)
12. Do fuelwood cut
13. Do pulpwood cut
14. Save den trees
15. Remove tree culls
16. Put up nest boxes
17. Do pre-commercial thinning
18. Place log barriers in small streams to create pools
19. Place out or prepare groups of turkey dusting areas
20. Create ground dens
21. Built teepee-shaped brush piles
22. Increase the edge (by long thin strips)
23. Increase field corners (using triangle and hexagon patterns)
24. Selectively girdle trees to form snags and nest areas
25. Place out bird houses
26. Protect bird houses from predators
27. Place perpetual feeders
28. Build observation platforms and pits
29. Scarify the land on the contour to encourage native plants
30. Use improved timber sale contracts
31. Use boats for wildlife observation
32. Protect caves and dens
33. Eliminate feral cats and dogs
34. Place permanent photo points to record changes
35. Maintain a notebook on progress/changes made
36. Create rodent-breeding areas (for raptors)
37. Create crayfish breeding/feeding areas
38. Create shrew areas (high soil insects using livestock manure)
39. Reduce use of herbicides that reduce weed seeds
40. Reduce pollutants of all types
41. Provide easy access to year-around water
42. Plant annual grains in diverse patterns
43. Fertilize food supplies
44. Place "crowing posts" for birds in open fields
45. Manage hedge rows
46. Place high quality grit for birds in widespread patterns
47. Plant fruiting trees and shrubs
48. Prune and manage fruiting trees
49. Make track counts along roads
50. Create ranges and shooting areas
51. Place gates
52. Place fence-crossing devices
53. Mow areas in irregular patterns
54. Fertilize and lime areas in irregular patterns
55. Scarify (harrow, disc, etc.) areas in irregular patterns
56. Remove key predators
57. Plant riparian vegetation
58. Reduce erosion
59. Reduce streambank erosion and sluffing
60. Be sure everyone on the area knows the wildlife laws
61. Obey the laws
62. Encourage field safety of all types
63. Build shallow water impoundments for waterfowl and other birds
64. Drain impoundments, plant wildlife foods, then re-flood
65. Plant or encourage understory fruiting shrubs
66. Drain and burn marshes
67. Drain marsh and then seed or plant stock, then flood for waterfowl
68. Regulate water depths to encourage some plants (specified), discourage others
69. Encourage grape vines and other soft-mast producers Place signs to encourage (or discourage) area use Place signs to encourage certain practices (obey law, close gates, etc.)

This list is almost random. Consider the patterns that might be developed for a well-order list of potential actions. Later presentations of actions related to succession may be helpful. The fundamental units of populations, faunal space, and people may be a basis for organizing options from which decisions can be made.

This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision January 17, 2000.