Converting from Texas Ag Exemption to Wildlife Exemption

[chucky52]

My central Texas property was being nuked by goats, contacted Tx Parks and Wildlife who sent a biologist with his supporting report to follow. My county requires 3 practices which, for openers will be livestock deferrment, supplemental food and water and bat houses. Soil will not support food plots in most locations; but, our native plants abound in spite of quite a few years of goats on the property. We are having luck with fruit trees, pecans and we have an abundance of oak and cedar. Cedar to be cleared. One tank and a low area will pretty good alluvial soil.

I'm trying to decide what tree or shrub... to plant which is not within reach of a water hose; but, in the only decent soil on the property. Would like to do something for the turkey also. Biologist recommends we let nature work and create prairie pockets within the woods (oak).

Looking for recommendations of drought tolerant options which are not food plot plants. Any ideas appreciated.

Thanks,
Chuck

[Land_Owner]

What is your objective?  For what reason do you plant the trees?  If for the attraction of game (deer) and as you said turkey, then I recommend you Cut & Paste your question for the wildlife biologists on the site below:

Quality Deer Management Association http://www.qdma.com

These college educated guys (biology, botony, horticulture, animal husbandry, etc.) are about wildlife, plants for wildlife, habitat management, and just about everything in the wild.  Sure their focus is growing bigger, older, and healthier deer.  But don't be put off by that.  They will give real answers to real questions. 

And a lot of them are from Texas...

[chucky52]

Been there done that. I spent a day with a Texas Parks and Wildlife biologist on my property. His report is supporting my request for a wildlife exemption. Just trying to broaden my options.

[Land_Owner]

Then try the boys on http://www.Texasboars.com where Kevin will have some suggestions.  They are all about hogs and dogs, but without water and trees there would be just about nothing in Texas I suppose.

[chucky52]

Thanks I checked the first link seems mostly hunting related. Hadn't heard of the new link. Parts of Texas fit your description: nothing; fortunately my place has some water, trees and native vegetation.

[Land_Owner]

I hope they can help because I am just about tapped out of ideas.  Have you tried the County Agricultural Extension Agent?  Or the State Horticulturalist?  Or Master Gardener?

What is " livestock deferment"?  Is eradication of goats out of the question?  They are probably like hogs and just too prolific.

[chucky52]

I'm out of ideas which is why I came here. The TPWD biologist says clear cedar, create "prairie pockets" amidst the Oak and hardwood forest and allow botanical biodiversity with recovery of native plants. The pasture was leased for goats to retain the ag tax exemption, they are gone for good (i.e. livestock deferment). I am potting native persimmon seeds and will hope the seedlings can be transplanted. Persimmons were part of the landscape 40 years ago. There are bound to be other options I don't know about. The wildlife biologist did not know about pear and plum trees, that came from my nephew's wildlife biology professor @ college.

This is a real challenge, most of the soil is poor and rocky and will not support a food plot. We are also definitely challenged with summer drought and heat; but, the place grows brush like crazy.

[Land_Owner]

You may be on to something there.  If the town is not far, or any civilization, see what they are growing.  If the soil will support what homeowners are growing, then your mix of plant and trees that should grow there will increase markedly.  If there is a lady's "Garden Club" in town, they will be a very good source of information as they will be both older and wiser with regard to plants, trees, and shrubs that they have been successful with and grown.  Seedlings are known for the need for water during their establishment period.  Perhaps two or three at a time can be watered from a 55 gallon barrel in the back of the truck.  Two months I think during the "rainy season", which for for parts of Texas is never, should help get them started. 

[Graybeard]

Prickly pear cactus should do well there and is utilized by a variety of game to include deer and hogs. What are the native grasses that used to grow there? I seem to recall something called bluestem, maybe gramma grass and others. That info should be available at the local library I'd think. You never go wrong using the grasses or weeds that grew there originally as they are well suited to the climate which is why they were there to begin with before man intervened and made them go away.

[chucky52]

Nature provides prickly pear and native grasses. Our biologist says if we let nature work we'll regain native plants and grasses with time. I would like to speed things up with non-native plants-we have native plants and nature is working without goat interference. We have tons of acorns with an occasional failure of the entire acorn crop. As I initially stated, I do have some good soil available for the right plants(non-food plot). Acorns can fail and they are seasonal as are pecans. Pears, plums are summer seasonal rather than fall.

We also supplement with feeders and some may have noticed, it's cheaper to grow it than buy what will meter thru a feeder.