– Wildlife Exemption Plan –

Species targeted for management:

• Doves
• Songbirds
• Deer
• Aoudad (these aren’t native animals to Texas…so, they can’t officially be in our plan.  But, we are feeding them too)

Qualifying wildlife management activities:

• Erosion control
  • Type: Ridge
  • Slope: Grated, 20ft

Still working on this…

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• Predator control
  • Feral hogs, rat snakes
  • Method: Trapping, Shooting

This will be ongoing throughout the year…

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• Provide supplemental supplies of water, year round
  • Big game guzzler, 1

A lot of work went into the making of this Big Game Guzzler! We phoned a friend that welded the frame for the rain catchment system. It is made on a pitch so rain water will drain on the roof towards the back. There is a gutter system installed to catch the rain water that will hopefully keep the 275 gallon IBC tank replenished. There is a screen protecting the hole on the top where the downspouts enter the tank from mosquitoes, bugs, leafs, etc. Finally, we covered it with an opaque cover made for these tanks to help keep the algae from growing in the tank.

The wildlife will soon be meeting at the “Wild Mountain Saloon” for drinks!

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• Provide supplemental supplies of food, year round
  • Gravity fed feeder with 40lbs 18% protein pellets, 1
  • Salt Lick, 1

Who knew they made protein deer feed? We started with an automatic feeder that would spray out corn twice a day. During our inspection, we learned that wasn’t acceptable to qualify for our exemption. We had to install a gravity fed feeder so they can come eat “buffet style”…and it had to be 16%-20% protein pellets. Our deer and aoudad are eatin’ good! I got them an “apple flavored” salt lick.

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• Install bird seed feeders, 2

For our amount of acreage, we needed two bird feeders and seven nest boxes. We installed these really cool feeders that close when something heavier than the intended birdies come for a snack, aka a squirrel. They are eating way more from the dove feeder (left) than the songbird feeder (right).

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• Provide shelters
  • Dove nest boxes, 2
  • Bluebird birdhouse, 2
  • Wren birdhouse, 3

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We worked hard on this wildlife plan. It was our first experience with having to do something like this. We did a ton of research and reached out to some experience people for advice. I am so grateful that our inspector was patient and allowed us the time to put all this in place. We PASSED!!! …now our wildlife will be well fed and hydrated for years to come.

It will be fun watching their interactions via the game cam! …and rewarding to maintain such an awesome plan to see them thrive.

Peace & Love, Tam