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Wildlife Management

Why improve the quality of habitat on your land? 

Foraging doe stands warily in frosty Missouri field.
MDC Staff

All wildlife types require the right balance of habitat and forage year-round. Making improvements on your property to better provide for wildlife leads to higher land productivity and can even enhance property value.

Use the sections ahead to get acquainted with land management practices commonly used to introduce desired species and promote greater wildlife activity in your area.

Need Help

Contact your local private land conservationist to get more information on managing wildlife on your property. 

Find your local private land conservations by county.

In This Section

Quail and Pheasant Management

Looking to attract quail and pheasant onto your property? Make sure you provide the right cover essentials year-round.

Rabbit Management

The average-size Missouri farm and many recreational properties have plenty of room for rabbit management. 

Squirrel Management

You can increase the number of squirrels on most lands. Certain practices, such as installing den boxes, give prompt results. Others require several years to take effect.

Turkey Management

Turkeys usually thrive in areas with a diversity of plant species that provide an array of food and cover. In these situations, turkeys are able to meet their various needs for nesting, brood rearing, roosting, and feeding all within a relatively small area.

Deer Management

Deer live in timbered areas, especially at the borders of clearings, where they obtain the variety of foods they prefer.

Dove Management

Many Missouri landowners enjoy hunting mourning doves and consider their habitat needs when planting and harvesting crops. 

Waterfowl

Many species of waterfowl spend at least part of their lives in the wetlands of Missouri. Learn how to manage your land for geese and dabbling, diving, and wood ducks. 

Backyard Birds

You can watch your favorite birds at home by establishing bird-feeding stations and planting certain flowers. 

Pollinators

Honeybees are not the only pollinators in Missouri. Learn about different pollinators and how you can attract them to your property.

Nuisance & Problem Species

If you care about Missouri’s crops and wildlife, please do what you can to identify, prevent and control the spread of exotic invasive species.

Missouri Bird Conservation Technical Plan (pdf, 2 MB)

Read our management plan for maintaining and growing bird populations in Missouri.

Landowners Guide to Ruffed Grouse (pdf, 331 KB)

Take steps to make your property welcoming for ruffed grouse and other species that rely on the early successional forest habitat.

Your Property

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We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources.

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