Emergency Winter Feeding For Wildlife
Periodic harsh weather in winter often evokes great public concern for wildlife. When snow and cold temperatures persist, animals may show signs of stress or poor condition, or even die. When people see dead or stressed wildlife, the typical response is: We need to save the animals! Requests for emergency feeding usually follow.
How great is the need for and how effective is emergency winter feeding? Many species, including quail, live a relatively short time. A two year-old quail is an old-timer. Each year natural mortality results in a considerable loss of quail, usually when weather conditions add stress to their delicate existence.
Often, wildlife is produced on habitat that is marginal for survival during extreme winter conditions, but quite adequate when conditions are mild. Animals move into these areas during mild conditions, reproduce and survive quite well as long as the weather remains mild. However, they cannot survive extremely harsh weather in such areas even with emergency feeding.
A statewide program of artificial feeding is a major logistical task. Added to the cost of grain is the time, effort and expenses required to organize the program and distribute the grain to those doing the feeding. To achieve even minimum success, foods must be placed in protective cover within the known range of the wildlife, and feeding must continue until conditions improve. A casual scattering of foods along roadsides - which is often the extent of emergency feeding - may be covered by snow, may not be found by animals or may even make them more vulnerable to poachers or predators. At best, a statewide feeding program benefits only a small number of animals.
For these reasons, it is different to consider artificial feeding an effective conservation practice. Even more important, this practice camouflages the real problems facing wildlife and gives a false sense of accomplishment. Emergency winter feeding is usually a case of too little, too late.
A much better course of action is to plan ahead for wildlife survival. Rarely are wildlife populations wiped out over large areas. In addition, quail and other wildlife have surprising recuperative abilities, if given a suitable environment. Habitat development is a more effective and proven technique for increasing winter survival.
The result, among other things, is that wildlife should be in fit condition going into a severe winter storm. Food is important, especially standing grain near cover. Also Important is the need to improve marginal areas to provide sufficient shelter (width and density) from drifting snow and extreme wind chill as well as access to food.
Planning Ahead for Wildlife Survival (P.A.W.S.) is an action program through which conservation agents assist landowners in wildlife management planning and application. Department of Conservation Wildlife Services staff also work with the Soil Conservation Service, A.S.C.S., University of Missouri Extension, and other agencies and groups to provide technical assistance to landowners considering wildlife in land-management planning.
Quality wildlife habitat can be compatible with agriculture. Many desired wildlife practices also provide good soil and water conservation. Often, desired results can be obtained without reducing farm productivity or income. In some instances, odd areas, field corners, pond enclosures or fence rows may need plantings to provide a missing item necessary for survival. Trees, shrubs, seeds and technical assistance are available from the Department of Conservation to provide sufficient habitat for wildlife in winter.
Despite harsher winters in northern Missouri, long-term trends indicate that quail have fared better there than in southern Missouri. Something other than weather is affecting winter survival of quail and other wildlife, and that something is the right combination of food and cover.
Feeding grain in a crisis is not the answer. When the weather hits, it's too late to make a noticeable difference by establishing feeders or scattering grain. Planning ahead - that is the answer!
