Waterfowl Habitat Tips

It is easy to purchase a property with the intentions of maintaining it; however, the best plans can easily be forgotten. Fall mowing and disking are effective ways to maintain a property for waterfowl. Waterfowl habitat management can be completed during duck season as well as the next spring or summer.

Neglected “duck holes” are common problems to properties. Broad leaf plants and dense stands of vegetation lead waterfowl away. Grassy areas full of plants such as wild millet, sprangletop, and panic grasses will provide natural food when flooded. “Spot Mow” areas dominated by broad leaf plants and leave grassy areas. To determine whether a grassy area is beneficial, look for golden-brown vegetation. “Spot Mowing” will allow you to relieve the property of the dense vegetation while leaving 50%-70% of the area that will be flooded. Fall mowing also attracts a litter layer; when flooded, it will attract aquatic invertebrates, another important food source for ducks.

Fall disking is also used to promote natural grasses. It is important to only disk approximately 30% of the area. This insures that natural food sources and cover are left for the waterfowl to use. Disking in the fall sets up the impoundment for the following spring and summer. Flooding in the impoundment is an important step to maintaining vegetation. Maintaining water levels in the disked impoundment through the winter and into the spring will help control unwanted plants. Slowly draining during the spring and summer will drive natural “moist soil” plants to germinate on the mud flats. These plants are an excellent, free food source for waterfowl.

Fall mowing and disking can be used together or separately to maintain a property. The key to waterfowl habitat management is to try different strategies. Take notes on what works for your property. For more information on waterfowl and habitat maintenance please visit the South Carolina Waterfowl Association at http://www.scwa.org/main_mallards.html.