Whetstone Weekly: Timing of Mowing and Habitat Response

Hello Fellow Land Stewards,

Managing your land effectively can sometimes be a delicate balancing act. Today, I want to talk about the timing of mowing and how it relates to habitat response, especially when considering the safety of our wildlife.

I receive many inquiries this time of year regarding the timing of mowing as a management tool, so get your notepads ready, and let's give your property an edge! Whetstone Habitat is here to guide you through the best practices for mowing, which include mowing at the right time of year, using the right equipment and techniques to minimize disturbance to wildlife, and leaving some areas unmowed to provide cover and food resources for wildlife. These practices ensure we create optimal habitats and food resources for deer and turkey while safeguarding more vulnerable inhabitants like the poults, fawns, cottontails, and other small wildlife.

The Importance of Mowing

Mowing is a valuable tool for managing plant communities. It helps suppress weeds, promotes desirable vegetation, and can be an alternative to prescribed fire (though it doesn't offer the same benefits due to the residual thatch). For many landowners, mowing is a practical and accessible method for managing habitats in the early stages of succession or old field habitats. These are areas where the vegetation is transitioning from open land (grasses, wildflowers, and brambles) to a more mature woody-species composition. Additionally, mowing food plots such as clover can help with weed suppression, ensuring the plots remain productive and beneficial for wildlife.

Habitat Management for Whitetail vs. Turkeys and Upland Birds

It's essential to understand that mowing early successional habitat as a management tool is more suited for whitetail deer management than turkeys or upland birds. These birds need open ground to navigate, something mowing won't provide. While early successional areas managed by mowing can be suitable for nesting cover, they are not suitable bugging locations for young birds after they hatch. This distinction is crucial for practical habitat management.

In addition, it's important to note that bobwhite quail nest in the mid-south from May to September. As you keep tabs on the management calendar, you'll notice you are running out of appropriate times to mow. This is why we don't manage all of the open ground areas the same way all of the time. Diversity is king.

Timing is Everything

The timing of mowing is crucial. By mowing at the right time, you can play a significant role in protecting turkey nests and fawns, which are vital to the future population of these species. Fawns have a unique defense mechanism when they are small; they lay and hide, relying on their spots to conceal them instead of running away. By carefully timing our mowing, we can avoid these critical periods and ensure that we don't inadvertently harm the wildlife we aim to support.

Mow Early

Mowing before turkeys begin nesting is an effective strategy. In the Midwest, for example, turkeys start nesting in late March, and nests typically hatch by late May or early June. By mowing some areas of early successional habitats before the nesting season begins, you can trust that you're allowing hens to utilize the remaining structure for nesting and ensuring the landowner gets a jump on weed suppression and woody encroachment. This approach helps maintain a balance between providing habitat for nesting and ensuring some areas are managed effectively.

Mow Late

Mowing after June is crucial for the safety of deer fawns. Most fawns are born around June 1st, become mobile, and are less likely to "hide" from a mower after four weeks old. By delaying mowing until after this period, we can significantly reduce the risk of harming young fawns.

It's crucial to encourage landowners to avoid mowing in June. Resist the urge to mow during this critical period! This is crucial in managing habitats responsibly and ensuring the safety of the wildlife we are managing the landscape for.

Mowing vs. Fire

While mowing is a practical management tool, it's not a substitute for prescribed fire. Fire can reduce thatch buildup, recycle nutrients into the soil, and stimulate the growth of fire-adapted plant species. However, mowing remains a valuable alternative for those who can't implement prescribed burns.

Encourage Habitat Diversity

Remember, the goal is to create a 'mosaic of habitats', a term used to describe a landscape with a variety of different habitats that cater to the diverse needs of wildlife. By incorporating both mowing and other management techniques like prescribed fire, selective herbicide use, and planting native species, we can foster robust ecosystems that support a wide range of species. This approach ensures that there are suitable habitats for different species, promoting biodiversity and ecological resilience.

Remember, white-tailed deer are considered an "edge species," meaning they thrive in areas where different habitat types meet, such as the transition between forests and fields. Managing your property for a diversity of habitat types creates these edge environments, giving your property the edge it needs. This improves hunting opportunities for big bucks by providing them ample food and cover and enhancing biodiversity, supporting a healthier native biotic community overall.

If you have any questions or want to schedule a habitat consultation before our schedule fills up, please contact us at Whetstone Habitat.

Happy mowing!

Zack Vucurevich

Founder, Whetstone Habitat