MONTHLY WILDLIFE RESEARCH LETTER 
Department of Conservation and Natural History Survey, Cooperating 
Glen C. Sanderson and Helen C. Schultz, Editors 
Urbana, Illinois 
January, 197*+ 
Vol. 17, No. I 
Manipu1 ation of Pheasant Habitat G. 8- Joselyn 
Two of the three approaches to large-scale seeding of roadsides, discussed in 
the last four reports (MWRL 16 (8-11)), have been attempted in pilot programs-- 
graded roadsides (throughout Ford County in September 1972) and block seedings 
(Ford County Management Unit during August and September 1968 ). Despite some 
logistical and equipment problems, the seeding of graded roadsides in Ford County 
clearly demonstrated the feasibility of such operations over a county-sized area. 
We continue to be pleased with results of the block seedings made on the FCMU. 
Evidence to date suggests that block seedings could constitute a reasonable and 
practical means of large-scaie roadside seeding. 
A volunteer program, in which the Department of Conservation would undertake 
seeding of roadsides at the request of individual farm operators, holds greater 
promise, I believe, than just the establishment of quality nest cover for pheasants 
and other prairie avifauna. Such a program could be patterned somewhat after the 
successful "Acres for Wildlife" in Nebraska and other states. As such, the Department 
would realize benefits in public relations and public education. Because the 
establishment of grass-legume cover on roadsides is a biologically sound management 
program with demonstrated benefits to wildlife, it offers the Department of Conser¬ 
vation a unique opportunity to incorporate the principles embodied in roadside 
management into a program of positive public relations and educational value. 
All three approaches to roadside management outlined above require personnel 
from the Department in at least the planning and coordination of field operations. 
Also, the Department would have to provide certain specialized equipment (seeders 
and rollers) for the actual seeding. It was hoped at the beginning of this study 
that farmers or sportsmen's groups could establish seedings with their own 
equipment, but it is now apparent that such a program is not feasible. Specialized 
equipment must be used to insure the greatest probability of success of the seedings 
and to keep the amount of roadside disturbance to a minimum. Neither individual 
farmers nor sportsmen*s croups have such equipment. Department personnel need 
not perform all phases of the seeding operation--rather, their participation should 
be kept to a minimum, restricted to planning, coordinating, and supervising the 
seedings. Local farmers should be hired to operate the equipment. This approach 
was successfully employed during the seedings on graded roadsides in Ford County 
in September 1972. Although the possible role of sportsmen's groups in the over¬ 
all program should be considered further, it is the current view that their 
participation would be limited to public relations. 
FEB 7 1974 
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