Ryan Piltz optimizes the three essential pillars: water, food, and cover on his hunting property.
Water, Food, Cover: The Three Pillars of Wildlife Property Management
By PJ DelHomme
Managing property for wildlife is a complex but rewarding endeavor that revolves around three essential pillars: water, food, and cover. If you’re a hunter looking to improve your land for game, you have to understand and optimize these three things. We’re going to show you how to effectively manage these pillars to create an ideal habitat for wildlife, drawing on expert insight and practical strategies.
Ryan Piltz is our expert and a wildlife habitat management professional. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources with a concentration in Wildlife Management from the University of Connecticut and spent three years as a graduate research student in South Texas. He has been a professional hunting guide from South Carolina to California.
Whether you’re a land manager or a land owner, it’s important to establish a solid foundation, Piltz explains.
“You have to establish goals,” he said. “Realistic goals are important for creating a management program. You have to consider what the environment is capable of.”
Pillar #1: Water
Water is perhaps the most critical element for wildlife. Without adequate water sources, even the most abundant food and cover will fail to attract and sustain animals. In many areas, especially semi-arid regions, water can be a limiting factor for wildlife populations.
The first step is to assess the property’s water needs. When evaluating water resources, consider natural water sources (streams, ponds, springs), rainfall patterns and seasonal variations, and distance between water sources.
For properties lacking natural water sources, creating artificial water features can be a game-changer. One effective solution is to construct small ponds or guzzlers to collect rainwater. These can provide crucial hydration for wildlife, especially during dry seasons. If you’re interested in building your own guzzler, we’ve got a how-to article and step-by-step video for you.
Keep in mind that it’s not enough to simply have water present. That water must be clean and accessible. Regular maintenance of water sources, including removing debris and managing vegetation around water edges, is essential for ensuring wildlife can safely access and utilize these resources.
Pillar #2 Food
Quality forage is crucial for attracting and sustaining wildlife on your property. Different species have varying nutritional needs, so it’s important to provide a diverse range of food sources. The first step is simply identifying natural food sources on your property.
“I love identification books for weeds, wildflowers, and trees, and now there are apps like PictureThis, which are useful in new areas,” Piltz says. “When I notice a browse species or something that is clearly not being eaten, I check to see if it’s invasive or native to the area.”
Once you get this foundational knowledge, you can enhance natural food sources while also introducing cultivated options like food plots.
Food plots can significantly boost the nutritional value of your property, but there is some homework to complete before you start planting. When Piltz managed 180 acres in middle Tennessee, he first took a step back to look at the overall habitat of the area.
“I identified parts of the old field to use for cool season food plots, warm season food plots, pollinator plots, a fruit tree orchard, and natural cover and food sources,” he says.
You should look at soil quality and pH levels. That might sound like more trouble than it’s worth, but there are a couple of options on finding your soil’s composition. You can send a sample to a company like the Whitetail Institute, or you can call your county extension office to see if they offer soil sampling.
Two more things to consider are the seasonal nutritional needs of target species and the variety of plant species to provide year-round food sources. If this sounds too involved, don’t worry. We have a video on how to use artificial intelligence programs to help you determine everything you need for your food plot. It’s much easier than it sounds. Better yet, it works!
If your property includes active crop fields, consider working with farmers to create wildlife-friendly practices.
“I asked the farmer working the land to allow a buffer zone around the crop field, meaning he won’t do anything with the 30 feet between the crop field and the woods.”
These buffer zones can provide additional food and cover for wildlife while maintaining agricultural productivity.
Pillar #3: Cover
Cover is essential for wildlife to feel secure on your property. It provides protection from predators and harsh weather conditions, as well as safe spaces for raising young. When you conduct your initial property assessment for water and food, always keep cover in the back of your mind.
“I look for wildlife travel routes, browse lines, bedding areas, scat, rubs, scrapes, pinch points, vegetation composition, and any type of habitat characteristics that can be improved,” Piltz says.
Improving natural cover often involves managing existing vegetation. You can disk the soil, allowing native weeds and brambles to pop up. When you do this, create a checkerboard pattern and vary the number of times that you disk the same row. The soil and seed will react differently. This creates diverse cover that benefits a wide range of wildlife species.
Edge habitat, where different types of vegetation meet, is particularly valuable for wildlife. Think of the transition area between hardwoods to open fields. Creating and maintaining these transition zones can significantly enhance your property’s appeal to wildlife.
Breakdown the Process
Managing your property for wildlife is an ongoing process that requires patience, observation, and adaptability. At first, improving your property might seem like an impossible feat. If you break it into manageable sections like overhaul areas, improvement areas, and “leave alone” areas, then you can chip away at it. This approach allows you to prioritize your efforts and resources effectively.
Remember that water, food, and cover are interconnected. Improvements in one area often benefit the others. For example, enhancing cover near water sources can make them more attractive to wildlife, while diverse food plots can provide both nutrition and shelter. You can transform your land into a thriving habitat that supports diverse and healthy wildlife populations.
Watch Land Management – How to Improve Your Hunting Property
PJ DelHomme writes and edits content from western Montana. He runs Crazy Canyon Media and Crazy Canyon Journal.
