Building Whitetails and Wildlife Cover QUICKLY

Why do pheasants matter on whitetail parcels? Because if you own agricultural land in the north 1/2 of the country, sustainable pheasant populations are a sure sign that your efforts are spot on. Quality whitetail and wildlife cover go hand in hand when it comes to assessing the results of old field restoration, ag land conversion projects and pasture land wildlife building efforts. Check out how building your land for all wildlife species, can explode the potential for your passion for whitetails. Here is how you can build great whitetail and wildlife cover on your land, right now!

[@Miguel_Travels]

I love it when you hear the pheasant cackling on a cool October morning. I posted a picture on IG this past weekend of a pheasant and deer eating in my clover. I always see them moving through open fields from one section of cover to the other.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

So cool Miguel! That sound is simply awesome...

[@cobratzi1]

Thank you Jeff! I have pretty much stopped watching hunting videos since finding your channel! I am addicted to the habitat and find myself sitting on my stands thinking of what we can do next instead of anticipating a big buck. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I am on my second book that you have written and they have really helped me connect the dots I was missing before.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That is awesome! Well I live helping and again I say this so often...but your comments really do add a lot of fuel to the fire. Thank you and I appreciate the feedback on the books too. BTW I do the same thing in my stands...the strategy is incredible!

[@randlerichardson5826]

People here are bad to drop off a cat or two out in the back country and they get wild and take out a bunch of quail and rabbits. Great video as always brother. Thank again for sharing be safe GOD BLESS.

[@tonydaniels4057]

You are absolutely right seams like native grasses, hinge cutting, and some forbs along with sorghum and corn plots benefit deer as much as pheasants and songbirds

[@seanjohnson9262]

I loved this video. I have pheasants on our property in st Croix country and I love hearing them and seeing them. I even managed to shoot one last fall with our new lab. I’m planning on planting some cave in the rock either this summer or frost seed in the late winter.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That's great Sean, you have to live that sound! Good luck with the switch, at this point I would really look at frostseeding this Fall/Winter. Very cool on shooting one too...congrats on the habitat 🙂

[@21honkerhunter]

checked the camera this weekend and I had a shot with two doe, a pheasant rooster, and a hen turkey together in the plot at the same time. I was pretty pumped to see them all at once. Must be doing something right.

[@petefromhillcountry3268]

Thanks again Jeff - more great information as usual. I look forward to your posts!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Man you are very welcome that is great to hear...thanks a lot for the feedback! I am in Canada fishing right now with my son and Dylan who shoots and edits my stuff, so not much feedback today from me...glad I was able to catch your comment before heading out!

[@petefromhillcountry3268]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Canada fishing - very jealous, Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@petefromhillcountry3268 been a great time so far!!

[@jeremyfoss505]

We are very blessed here in west central MN with plenty of cat tail sloughs. The pheasant population has really come back the past few years, even with last years harsh winter they did okay. I totally agree about the tough, strong stem count. It is really easily to see. During the early season you can always see birds in the shorter native grasses, under red dogwoods etc. When the late season hits(and all the short stuff tips over), they book it out into the thicker, stronger cat tails for cover. Thank you for all your tips and work on these videos Jeff. I've been trying to do what I can, with what I have available to me, but so far it's been working out great. :)

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

That is awesome to hear Jeremy!! Really appreciate that feedback and truly they are a blessing...sounds like you are right on target!

[@jeremyfoss505]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thanks for the encouragement. Happy fishing!

[@flushot6513]

I wish more people were like that guy and like to have wildlife and property that holds the wildlife most guys anymore are all about that one extra row of corn and knock and tear everything down always enjoy watching your videos but need to stop cuz i can get excited for deer season on my own with out the help of your videos 👌 and having that new piece of land to go to see whats happening there cant hardly contain myself

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Chris, man I love that excitement but ha, don't stop watching 🙂 I get really pumped for the season too...can't believe how soon it will be here! Thanks Chris

[@danplanck4058]

Good vid Jeff!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you Dan!

[@lttruck2973]

My problem is red fox. I have dedicated 8 acres that has established hedgerows. I let the area in between the hedgerows grow over for 4 years now. I have plenty of red briar, green briar, honeysuckle, switch, goldenrod, ivy along with 25-30 foot tree's that occupy the area. Plenty of rabbit and a healthy deer herd that roams all over. I never hunt or rarely disturb that area. One tractor trail that I keep to access the area. No pheasant. I live in south central Pa. where ringneck were plentiful in the 60's-80's. I tried transplanting ringneck but that disappear after awhile. The only thing that I can think of is the fox got them all.

[@douglasjenner5064]

Yes I have the same problem on my property as well with the damn foxes

[@forrestwetterstrom6618]

Jeff your videos are great learning material. I feel like I’m going to school every time I watch your videos. I have a property in northeastern CO along the south Platte river. Will switch grass be successful alongside a river property? Thankful for all your generous information!

[@randlerichardson5826]

I’ve noticed here the quail are comin back. I’m glad to see that.

[@tedzimmerly]

another great video!

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Really appreciate it max!

[@jms0917]

So true I've used these tips to explode my rabbit population for my rabbit dog enclosure.

[@backcountrysurvivalists]

Great video

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Thank you!

[@Vcbatson]

Would you say the same for seeing quail down south? Not many wild quail around but I do see a few and my neighbors see them occasionally also. Thank you. Your content is great

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

I would say so for sure! You have to have sustainable cover for sustainable populations... Thank you very much too...really hope that it helps!

[@Vcbatson]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Great!! Thanks again

[@birddogsforever9135]

Jeff, where do you buy your switchgrass?

[@randlerichardson5826]

Hey brother I’m late today me and my 9 year old nephew been putting more corn out for hogs all day.

[@clarkwheeler8764]

Is there any problem planting the grasses that do not hold up all year long? I have a few scattered acres of Gamma Grass that wildlife (especially deer) absolutely love to be in all summer long. Do you ever use any Gamma Grass?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

It's a problem only because they typically have plenty of cover all Summer long, and if you can replace it with sustainable cover like switch, then sit really isn't doing anything for you. The switch will hold up all winter and does the same during the Summer. If it isn't standing during the winter it really isn't helping at all. Let the late Fall and Winter be your guide...

[@conradyoder6897]

Jeff have you seen pheasant releases be successful in any of your habitat projects? I know Pheasants Forever discourages releasing pheasants.

[@allentodd5436]

Ladies and gentleman Jeff Sturgis has just announced he is running for president of the United States! With his habitat improvement plan we will be producing enough deer and pheasant meat to not only feed the U.S.....but the entire world!🌎 jk Jeff great vid👍

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Ha, pretty funny Allen 🙂 Let's feed the world!! Lol. Thank you very much!

[@allentodd5436]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 I love the closing to your videos because I know the challenge is coming. Its like the ending of a sermon lol🙏😇

[@randlerichardson5826]

I wish we had pheasants here in Tn.

[@Matthew4Nineteen]

Wondering your thoughts on bees? Could honeybees help with pollination and increase success for food plots and wildlife diversity?

[@baby2002]

It dos not get any better heaving pheasants and deer to hunt on your property all you need good pointer...thank you for video.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

The perfect combo...some rabbits are the icing on the cake 🙂

[@backcountrysurvivalists]

I feel like this idea of pheasants=deer can also be ruffed grouse=deer in more northern areas?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Oh for sure...that's a great point! Similar...although grouse is more young aspen dependant. Great whitetail cover and food tho!

[@stark_outdoors]

Is it too late in the year to plant switchgrass?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Clayton...unless you can heavily water, I like to focus on a frost seeding for this late Fall/Winter

[@bedwards733]

What variety of switchgrass do you recommend for Northern WI ?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Cave In Rock should still do OK. I've seen it doing very well over in Menomonee MI...also Northern MI near Alpena and North of the cities in MN

[@bedwards733]

Whitetail Habitat Solutions thank you Jeff !

[@markmethner8839]

Is there a certain blend of switchgrass you recommend?

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

In my experience blends are bad...I recommend the strongest, tallest single variety for your area. Cave In Rock hits most of the Midwest...that's what I actually use personally.

[@markmethner8839]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 thank you.

[@rfb7117]

Thanks Jeff.... We are seeing a few Pheasants. I was wondering if it is alright to spray our frost switchgrass plantings with 2-4D? Some areas are weedy and some are somewhat bare of switch. We may have to frost seed them again next year thanks, Bob

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

Hi Bob...pretty awesome you see those pheasants! I am actually spraying my switch with 2-4D this weekend when I get home from Canada. Should be perfect timing... especially since you are further South. Easy to frost seed if needed!

[@rfb7117]

@@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751 Thanks......I will get it done this week.

[@whitetailhabitatsolutions9751]

@@rfb7117 sounds good Bob...me too 🙂 Well, Friday or Saturday

[@rfb7117]

What mixture do you suggest on the 2-4-D. We have had a lot of rain lately. How long does it have to remain on the plant to be effective before a rain?

[@fosterunsinn1420]

hi there looking for advice for land that is mainly pine trees in rows. it is broken down into 3 sections of pines. with large trails down each. whole land is 40 acres rectangular and we have a 1/4 acre pond. i recently planted 2 kill plots but not sure what to do to create cover. lots of does and seeing bucks early but they like our neighbors smalll parcel with some cover but no food. this will be the first year with food plots. any advice?

[@theoutdoorglockguy]

What is another animal? I live in Mississippi, so their are no pheasants

[@ryanmacke150]

Rabbits

[@alexlavalley7555]

Do deer bed in it