Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk ALTurkey Talk -- Beards and Spurs Sea of Grass

I know these guys, talk to them and have been in this field as long as Craig. His specialty is research and mine management. The two work hand in hand. We all KNOW that some places can become grass dominated. However grass dominated does not mean that HUNDREDS of beneficial plants don't exist in this habitat type as well. I have been preaching quail woods management style since the 80's when it wasn't popular. Then came the "NWSG" planting push from the NRCS like it was something new. NWSG plants have their own set of problems and these plantings are what Craig was referring to. A couple of species of NWSG with no other forbs that chokes out a field like fescue would. Plus, switchgrass and big bluestem become way too tall and are often NOT native to the site. I, along with other colleagues have been called (not affectionately) by pinhead deer professors "one of those early successional guys". The issue isn't that we realize that a grass dominated system (at least in the woods) can't be a problem. The issue is 1) what to do about it and 2) it is so much better than any other system of habitat that dominates the landscape. I literally would take it over pretty much EVERY other habitat type in the southeast. It is a FAR CRY from the 90% of the habitat in Alabama of shady, overstocked and midstory crowded woodlands. Its better than agriculture and way better than cattle pasture. Its better than solid hardwood stands (yea, heresy!). Instead of bitching about what a terrible system the quail plantations have created, you should applaud the fact that they are creating the best habitat in the state for wildlife. Can it be better? Yep. Is it already better than 90% of the habitat in the State? Also Yep.

Keep in mind that Craig also works in a hardwood dominated system. His discussion of 30% sunlight in a woodland is nothing like the 60-80% sunlight pine woodlands we manage. He is smart, very knowledgeable and practical but still suffers from the "professor syndrome". His description of managing a field with spot spraying and burning with variable intensities in a field is great for a 500 ac property with 50 acres of fields (maybe). Not practical for large scale management.