Hunters and landowners can do their part of help winter survival of their favorite game birds and other upland species by purchasing and planting an Upland Game Bird Specialty packet this month from the State Forest Nursery. And as a thank you, the first 20 orders will receive a $25 gift card to Sportsman’s Warehouse.
“Multi-row shelterbelts of conifers and shrubs are vitally important for game bird survival during Iowa’s severe winters,” says Paul Tauke, State Forester for the DNR. “And the Upland Game Bird Specialty packet helps create both winter cover and food sources for pheasants, quail and wild turkeys.”
The specialty packet will contain 250 bareroot seedlings (for the price of 200 seedlings) between 8 and 24 inches, depending on the tree or shrub species. Cost of the Upland Game Bird Specialty Packet is $110, plus tax, shipping and handling.
Each packet includes:
- 50 wild plum; important winter cover and food source for pheasants and quail
- 50 gray dogwood; winter cover and food source for wild turkeys, pheasants and quail
- 50 white spruce; winter cover for pheasants and quail
- 50 bur oak; a primary food source for wild turkeys
- Plus, a bonus 50 pin oak; preferred food source for both turkeys and ducks
To take advantage of this offer, call the State Forest Nursery at 1-800-865-2477 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and mention the “Upland Game Bird packet,” or visit www.iowadnr.gov/seedlingcatalog And check out Sportsman’s Warehouse at www.sportsmanswarehouse.com for a variety of outdoor recreation equipment.
“We appreciate the effort of landowners and hunters in providing this critical habitat to Iowa’s upland birds,” says Tauke. “And we extend a special thanks to Sportsman’s Warehouse for partnering with us on this effort.”
Each month, the State Forest Nursery creates a different specialty packet to offer a unique mix of tree and shrub species for that month only. This month’s specialty packet is only available through Oct. 30, 2015. Look for a new specialty packet announcement on Nov. 3.
Anyone can purchase seedlings from the Iowa State Forest Nursery for CRP projects, to increase wildlife habitat, pollinator potential or diversify backyard woodlands. More than 40 species are available from the nursery. Seedling choices, including photos and descriptions, can be seen in the seedling catalog at www.iowadnr.gov/seedlingcatalog