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As for any living thing, there are three basic components to creating an area that is welcoming to deer and game birds. Those components are shelter, food and water.
Whether you would like to plant several food plots over a large acreage or create a small backyard habitat, drawing game birds such as turkey, pheasant, quail and duck as well as larger wildlife like deer is not a complicated process. Many of the trees, shrubs, flowers and grains planted to draw deer are the same plants which provide food and shelter for game birds. One of the most important ingredients is providing shelter, or cover, for wildlife. If they feel exposed to predators, they will more than likely move on to an area where they can find cover near where they feed.
Bull Moose in Chugach State Park Alaska by Donna Dewhurst {PD-USG}
Providing cover is as simple as planting a food plot near a forested area already in place. Deer and game birds can be found in pine woods and hard and softwood mixed forests. Stands of evergreen trees such as cedar should be allowed to grow. These will provide protection from cold winter winds for deer and game birds alike. You can plant the woodlot yourself keeping in mind that approximately 30% of the property should be forested. [1] It will take several years before a new woodlot will be large enough to provide shelter.
A combination of large trees and small understory trees will give the best results for cover and food. Adding fruiting bushes and vines scattered among the trees will also provide food for wildlife and cover for smaller animals. Trees listed below work well for this purpose. The lists below are plants which will draw deer and game birds.
Wheat in the Hulah valley by H2O {PD GNU FDL}
Grain Millet {PD USDA-ARS}
Trees and Shrubs
Crabapple (Malus angustifolia) Crabapples are enjoyed by deer, foxes, pheasants, quail, raccoons, squirrels and several other species of small birds. Crabapples are sometimes considered invasive. Native to the U.S.
Dogwood (Cornus florida) Choose dogwood trees and bushes that will thrive in your area. C. florida is native to the United States. Dogwood's bright red berries provide food for fox squirrels, quail, turkey and many songbirds in the fall and winter. Deer eat the leaves and small branches from trees, especially in the spring.
Hazelnut (Corylus americana) is a small tree or large shrub typically reaching no more than 10 feet tall at maturity. Deer and moose forage the leaves and twigs of hazelnut plants. Nuts are eaten by deer, foxes, grouse, pheasants, quail, squirrels and turkeys. Catkins are eaten by turkey and ruffed grouse in the winter months. The growth habit of C. americana provides nesting and cover for small mammals. Native to the U.S.
Wild Turkey by Dimus {PD}
Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) are native to the United States. Blooms are fully open by late spring and tree fruits from summer till winter. Fruit is eaten by bears, deer, foxes, turkeys and many songbirds.
Pine (Pinus sylvestris) is one source of forage for whitetail deer. Choose pines that will do well in your zone. Smaller animals such as rabbits, turkeys and wild hogs can be found roaming under large stands of pine. Not native to the U.S.
Serviceberry (Amelanchier grandiflora) by Kurt Stueber {GNU FDL}
to the United States. White blooms open in spring followed by purple fruits in late spring through summer. Serviceberry provides nesting and cover for many small animals such as quail, rabbits and turkeys. The fruits are eaten by squirrels while small branches and leaves are eaten by deer and moose.
Smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) seldom grows taller than 15 feet and is considered a large shrub or possibly a small tree. The bark is eaten by rabbits and foxtail squirrels while deer enjoy the small branches and fruits. The fruits mature in late autumn and are an important winter food source for grouse, pheasants, quail and turkeys as well as plethora of songbirds. Native to the U.S.
White Oak by John Knouse {GNU FDL}
White Oak (Quercus alba) can reach 100 feet tall at maturity. The tree is a slow grower but lives a long time. Acorns from the white oak provide food for several species of birds including ducks, turkeys, quail and many songbirds. Raccoons, squirrels and chipmunks live in the white oak as well as forage acorns from branches. This tree is a favorite of the deer population. Native to the U.S.
Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus) by BS Thurner Hof {GNU FDL}
Soybeans by Scott Bauer {PD USDA-ARS}
*Check with your local extension office concerning the vines listed. Some or all may be invasive.
Note: You may also want to check the regulations in your area if you intend to hunt the game drawn to your property as it is illegal in some places to plant food lots for the purpose of hunting.
Photo at top right is of a white-tailed deer and is in the public domain taken by a park employee in service to the U.S. National Park Service.
About Jacqueline Cross
I'm a native Floridian...feet planted in the shifting sands of northwest FL. but my heart strings are tightly knotted to the hills of Tennessee.
I live with my poodle, Minnie Pearl, Zsa Zsa the cat who runs the whole show and a new addition, Kitty Belle.
I'm a writer, gardener, quilter, cross stitcher, soapmaker and nature lover. Mother to 3 wonderful daughters & Nana to 6 perfect grandchildren.
I also write for Suite101.com and was promoted to Feature Writer in the vegetable gardens section in 2008.
