Wildlife Management for Missouri Landowners

Third Edition: by David E. Pitts and William D. McGuire
Edited by Joan McKee
Artwork by Dave Besenger, Mark Raithel, Charles Schwartz, Ann Grotjan

• Wildlife and the Land
• Land Planning for Wildlife
• Cropland Management
• Grassland Management
• Woodland Management
• Idle Area Management
• Wetland Management
• Species Management
• Wildlife Management Services
• Wildlife Management Practices

Acknowledgements
The following people have either edited or contributed to various parts of this handbook (in alphabetical order): Randy Arndt, Kenneth Babcock, Barbara Bassett, Dennis J. Browning, Reggie Bennett, Steve Clubine, Jerry M. Conley, Carl Conway, Christopher Dalton, David W. Erickson, Ray Evans, Floyd Ficken, DeeCee Darrow, Diana L. Hallett, David A. Hamilton, Dave Hoover, Tom Hutton, Robert D. Kemp, Samuel B. Kirby, Donald R. Martin, Michael L. Martin, William McGuire, David E. Pitts, Michael K. Skinner, Donald J. Smith, Timothy E. Smith, David L. Urich, Russell R. Titus, Ollie Torgerson, Joel Vance, Larry D.Vangilder, David L. Wissehr and Steven J. Young. To order additional copies of this publication, write to: Copyright © First Edition 1991; Second Edition 1999; Third Edition 2000 by the Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri

Private landowners are the key to conservation

Private landowners hold the future of Missouri’s forest, fish and wildlife resources in their hands. Since more than 93 percent of this diverse state is in private ownership, we must depend upon these individuals to be good stewards of the land and to protect and conserve the land for future generations. Ultimately it is the private landowner who decides exactly how to manage soils, forests, fish and wildlife resources on their land. We are fortunate to live in a country where private landowners have the freedom to do with their land whatever they wish to do, within bounds set by our society. Landowners can elect to bulldoze the trees from the hillsides of their land, or they can choose to seek advice concerning forestry management. Likewise, owners of rare pieces of remnant prairie have the right to plow under the variety of native grasses and forbs and to plant a row crop or pasture in its place, but they may choose to learn how to increase both the prairie hay quality and its production through proper management. Experience has shown that all things are connected in the environment. For example, the bulldozing of a hillside will not only impact the wildlife that used the area, but also the streams where the top soil ends up. The effects of a land-use change can often be seen immediately, or the impact may be very slow and felt only by the next generation of landowners. One thing is certain: There always is an impact. Everything is connected. It is my hope that this booklet will encourage you, the private landowner, to look for current information as you are faced with land management choices and decisions that will impact forest, fish and wildlife resources on your lands. Not all decisions will be easy, and some probably will be simply trade offs among the best of several unpopular choices. Those of us who are charged with the responsibility of making similar decisions on a larger scale refer to this process as “resource management.” These decisions must often be based upon the best information available at the time and may change as information and technology changes. Such decisions rarely please everyone who is affected by the results. I appreciate your stewardship of the land and wish you the best as you manage your own private property. The Conservation Department stands ready to assist your efforts to enhance the forest, fish and wildlife resources of Missouri in any way we can.

Jerry M. Conley, Director
Missouri Department of Conservation

Click here to view the PDF version of this document.