Hunter Botany 101
A perk of majoring in wildlife biology in college is the plethora of hunting knowledge that you collect throughout your course load. One of the most important factors in whether an area can hold large quantities of animals or produce large antlers is forage.
Most universities, state schools and even community colleges offer basic botany courses and plant ID courses. Although it might not be feasable for the average middle age hunter to pay tuition and go back to college to learn hunting knowledge (good luck explaining that one to your wife!) it might just be possible to sit in on a few classes here and there. At least visiting one of these courses first, meeting and picking up the syllabus in order to find out what textbooks and field guides are being used would be worth it. Many of the books used in these courses are easy enough to teach yourself.
You will be amazed at the differences you will see in habitat and landscape once you are informed of what to look for.
Comments
This is a good learning tip
This is a good learning tip but your right it is not feasible for me to go back to school. On the other hand I have a stepson who is in school now so maybe I can push him to do some learning for me.
He never got the urge to hunt with me but he loves eating all the meat I bring home to save him money at school.
Thanks Hawkeye
Thanks for the idea Hawkeye - got a specific example to share?
A lot to colleges allow you
A lot to colleges allow you to audit a class, that usually means you aren't allowed to participate, no questions, test, or daily assignments. Auditing a class usually cost way less than full bore. Most students audit when they want to clep out.
Great tips. If they aren't
Great tips. If they aren't eating the forage they probably aren't going to be there.
thats good info, its always
thats good info, its always good to,know about the plant life in your hunting area