Mississippi wildlife officials highlight habitat challenges and management tips

Many properties face habitat challenges that can impact native species like deer, turkey, and quail. These issues include limited food sources, inadequate cover, invasive species, soil health problems, and imbalanced wildlife populations, according to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

Photos shared by the department demonstrate methods for assessing habitat quality. One image shows a food plot enclosed by an exclosure cage. These cages help wildlife managers evaluate browsing pressure by comparing forage inside the cage to outside. Differences can reveal deer activity and habitat health, officials said.

Another photo depicts a cedar browse line. Deer typically avoid cedar trees because they are difficult to digest. When all stems are browsed down to ground level while growth above remains untouched, it may indicate that deer are relying on less-preferred plants due to a scarcity of higher-quality browse. Such browsing makes up about 50% to 70% of a deer’s diet, the department added.

Officials encourage landowners to recognize these signs early. By doing so, they can take steps to enhance habitat quality and support healthier wildlife populations over time. More information is available in a full guide on the department’s website.

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