Food Plots For Quail - Planting & Managing
Growing A Wild Tomorrow!®

CONSERVATION OF QUAIL BY PLANTING FOOD PLOTS

Quail are not migratory and live and die within the small areas that each covey claims as their own.

QUAIL FOOD PLOT SEEDS:

• Natural Game Mixture

• Crown Vetch

• Brown Top Millet

• Quail Mixture

Due to the efforts of the Federal Conservation Program and Quail Unlimited (a non profit organization) these beautiful birds are once again in record numbers. One main factor that has helped to return these birds to the wild is the ability of the chicks to be raised in "nurseries" and released without losing their "wildness". Many wild animals of all species cannot be bred in captivity let alone raised with success for returning to the wild. The plantings of natural habitats for quail purposes are possibly easier than with most other animal species. The main requirements being brush, hedges, seeding grasses and weeds, some nearby trees and watering areas. A large backyard planted in a meadow atmosphere adjacent to a neighboring covey can give a bird watcher hours of fun. Adding a small watering spot and dusting area and they might just move in!

Quail are present in most of the United States and Mexico in many related species. The most popular of the quail in North America are the bob white species of which there are many sub-species.

Quail eat insects, many varieties of vegetative matter and mainly seeds. Seeds make up nearly the whole diet by fall when all the surrounding plants have matured and seeded out for the next spring.  Areas with heavy dew provide enough moisture in this manner but otherwise quail need a  nearby water supply. Many quail can be found along creeks and ponds after a day of feeding. The range of crops that can be planted for quail conservation is quite extensive. Perennial grasses like Bahia, or weeds, indigenous wildflowers, lespedeza, vetch, clovers, and the list goes on.

Add to these some annuals such as brown top millet, clovers, soybeans, sorghums sunflowers, sesame, buckwheat, peas, trailing beans, and anything that produces small seeds or attracts insects. Low bushes and hedges can be used in the development of a habitat with the addition of oak trees (or similar), any type of brushy growth that quail can hide, roost, or pass through as undetected as possible to decrease their attraction from predators and make it harder to get to them. This might possibly include blackberry and raspberry stands. This could be a wonderful family project for those who are living in the country and already have seen quail nearby. Note that domestic cats are big killers of quail so if you have cats you won't have quail.

Food Plot Mix For Quail & Other Wild Game Species

25 lb - PENNINGTON Natural Game Mix*
A mixture Ideal For: Pheasant - Deer - Quail - Rabbit - Turkey - Duck

Iron & Clay Cowpeas Alfalfa Browntop Millet Black Sunflower (Peredovik) WGF Sorghum Alyce Clover Aeschynome (Deer Vetch) *Actual varieties included and percentages subject to change.

Natural Game Mix (above) - Actual % subject to change due to crop production.

How to Plant & Manage Wild Game Mix Food Plots

Deer, rabbit and turkey will begin to browse in about 45 days after planting. Quail and pheasant will begin to eat the seeds that mature in about 60-70 days. Deer will begin to graze when plants are several inches tall. Plant nearby water sources for Duck feeding.

To avoid overgrazing pressure on plots located near heavy deer population, additional plots should be planted about 300 yards apart. Excess deer grazing can damage the plants. Annual and perennial grass plus legume mixture provides feeding from spring through summer feeding. Vetch is usually planted early spring through summer after the danger of frost.  Some plants in this mixture will continue to grow during colder months, providing quail and pheasant edible seeds for fall and winter.

This mix is best planted on a fully prepared and well placed seedbed for optimum growing conditions (harrow and broadcast the seed).  The best food plot size is about 5000 sq. ft. of forest area with at least 50% sunshine available.  Fertilize plots when planting for best results. By re-seeding every spring you will develop a sustainable food plot that can result in returning feeding habits for area game. When planting for ducks or waterfowl plant in close proximity to the water sources.