Dense native grass seedings like switchgrass, big bluestem, and indiangrass, also provide good winter habitat if protected from blowing snow. We can't prevent losses in a winter like this past one, but we can provide habitat that will allow a few more birds to survive. Shelterbelts should have a two row planting of shrubs on their windward side to act a snowcatch area and contain a minimum of four rows of conifers. A typical eight row farmstead shelterbelt requires 1.25 acres of ground. Corn and sorghum grains provide the most reliable food source throughout the winter as they resist lodging in heavy snows.
Pheasants prefer corn to sorghum, although sorghum provides better winter habitat.
Sorghum is also less attractive to deer, if deer are a problem. Anyone interested in improving habitat for next winter can contact their local wildlife biologist or district conservationist for information on how to establish and design shelterbelts and food plots that benefit wildlife.