Browsing for a meal
The WOW camera is set up overlooking a DNR Wildlife managed food plot on Hubbel Pond WMA in Becker County. The WMA consists of 3,516.18 acres of gently rolling northern hardwood forest and prairie uplands surrounding the 560-acre Hubbel Pond marsh. Numerous wetlands, the Otter Tail River, a designated trout lake, and miles of Hunter Walking Trails (HWT) help make this WMA located 11 miles northeast of Detroit Lakes extremely popular with the public.
Wildlife management areas (WMAs) are part of Minnesota's outdoor recreation system and are established to protect those lands and waters that have a high potential for wildlife production, public hunting, trapping, fishing, and other compatible recreational uses. They are the backbone to DNR's wildlife management efforts in Minnesota and are key to 1) protecting wildlife habitat for future generations, 2) providing citizens with opportunities for hunting, fishing and wildlife watching, and 3) promoting important wildlife-based tourism in the state.
This 2-acre wildlife food plot was planted in May, half of it to corn and the other half to beans. A cover crop consisting of a five species mix of brassica, turnips, radish, and rapeseed was interseeded into the beans on August 1. The cover crop, besides being a great fall food source for deer, turkey, bear, and other wildlife; helps build soil carbon and organic matter, breaks up soil compaction, and provides natural weed suppression to minimize herbicide use.
We are excited to see what critters utilize the food plot as summer turns to fall.