Food plots for wetland dependant wildlife can be placed very near the water or near grass plantings or other plantings. If the plot is planted to corn, it may be left as food for two seasons

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Better Wetlands

Food Plots

Food plots planted near a wetland provide an increased level of food and cover, as well as winter survival of wetland dependant wildlife. The food plots should be at least one-quarter of an acre, and are more effective up to three acres in size.

The more winter cover you have, the smaller the plot can be, because the plot doesn’t have to provide cover as well as food. Areas with large deer numbers also generally need larger plots- deer generally like corn plots most.

Recommended plants include corn, sorghums, oats, wheat, buckwheat, and millets. Corn and sorghums may be left two years without reseeding; others should be reseeded each year. Sorghum should be used if there is a need to provide winter cover; otherwise, corn is a better choice for food plots.

If the land is steep, care should be taken that the soil is protected against soil erosion. Plant on the contour, rotate the placement of the food plot, or use other soil conservation methods. Locating shrub or tree plantings near the food plot will increase the effectiveness of the food plot.

Your local chapters of Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and Quail Unlimited may provide food plot seed mixes, and assistance.

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Contact Information

You may send comments regarding this Web site to:

State Biologist

Mike Townsend
Syracuse, New York
Telephone: 315-477-6537

• Additional NRCS New York contacts

If you encounter any problems with files provided on this page, have questions, suggestions, or find a broken link, please contact Gary Vandawalker at 315-477-6546.

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