Wildlife and Habitat Management
January 4th, 2010
Committed to Excellence
Blacktail Specialties provides a full range of wildlife and habitat management services, stream bed stabilization, a complete line of forage products and I stand behind every service I provide. I have worked along-side state and federal authorities as well as private landowners to develop and produce some of the most environmentally sound wildlife properties available. I am most proud of my work with private landowners. They are the most important management tool available in this age of shrinking budgets. Whether you have a quarter-acre or 50,000 acres, wildlife can benefit from the smallest improvements to the habitat.
Native Pride
Have you ever wondered why most whitetail forage products contain seed from New Zealand? Yes, they will grow in the U.S. but they are designed and bred for New Zealand soil. There is such a variance in Northwest soil types. It made sense to me to use native plants that are already being utilized by deer in the area. Each seed variety in Blacktail Specialties Seed Blends is native to the Northwest. Aside from Blacktail deer, many of my seed blends have been used for mule deer, Columbian whitetail deer, Roosevelt elk, Rocky Mountain elk, pigs, turkey, upland game birds and waterfowl.
Scientific Know-How
Superior forage nutrition requires considerable understanding of how deer digest their food and which seeds produce the plants that best contribute to overall deer health. I’ve spent nearly 20 years researching and experimenting with various plants to find the most nutritious forage varieties available. The most common seeds used for deer food plots such as wheat, oats, peas, corn and soybeans are pimarily agricultural grade. They are bred to provide forage for cattle and other farm animals. Agricultural or garden grade seeds do not usually meet the specific needs of deer. Blacktail Specialties Seed Blends contain forage grade seed types that are specifically bred, grown, researched and tested to meet the unique palatability, digestability and nutrient needs of Blacktail deer so they can grow healthy, fertile and strong.
The “F” Word
Out west, just the mention of the term “food plot” garners uncomfortable stares. Visions of vast fields of clover, corn, beans, and brassicas doesn’t paint the picture of hunting we know and love. Unfortunately, due to funding issues in many state wildlife programs, our game animals aren’t receiving the management necessary to ensure their success and survival. Therefore, the opportunity to manage our own property has enabled us to create habitat to meet these needs. Blacktail Specialties has developed a system of creating pockets that blend into the existing habitat. These Native Forage Areas provide a new food source without distubing the overall esthetic of the property.
