From Villain to Superhero: Rewriting the Story of "Weeds"
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From Villain to Superhero: Rewriting the Story of “Weeds”
By Lauren Auld-Johnson, Private Lands Biologist
For
landowners
and
managers,
weeds most
often play
the role of
the villain
meant to be
battled and
destroyed.
But
instead of
undermining landowners at every Many native “weeds” can actually benefit pastures, gardens and
turn, many native “weeds,” or woodlands.
forbs, can play important roles in
the pasture, garden and woods. invasive sericea lespedeza). They less. When hayed with other
Underneath the dark cape and can either grow during the cool or warm season grasses, forbs
mask they’ve been forced to wear warm season, and are nutrient- will improve the hay quality by
for decades, these beneficial forbs dense plants with deep root adding in trace minerals. Legumes
may actually be the unsuspecting systems that can act as mineral such as partridge pea, Illinois
superhero of the story, or at least pumps that reduces competition bundleflower and prairie clover
the trusty sidekick. with grasses for water. Forbs are are nitrogen fixers, which can
also some of the first plants to ultimately lead to a reduced need
Forbs are generally broadleaf, green up in the spring, and to for nitrogen-based fertilizer. Forbs
flowering plants that are not come up after a disturbance, like can also attract pollinators and
grass-like or woody vegetation. prescribed fire or strip disking. predatory insects to garden areas,
Beneficial “weeds,” or forbs, leading to increased plant yields,
include sunflowers, crotons, When a landowner grazes a and maybe even a decrease in
ragweeds, and even native pasture with higher amounts pest pressure.
legumes like slender lespedeza of native, beneficial forbs, they
(as opposed to the nonnative, should expect to supplement From a wildlife standpoint, native
Summer 2021 1
Your Side of the Fence
A publication of the ODWC’s Private Lands
Section
Landowner Assistance Contacts:
C Region-Kyle Johnson..........(405) 590-2584
NW Region-Brett Cooper......(405) 740-9830
NE Region-RosaLee Walker...(918) 607-1518
SW Region-Lauren Auld-Johnson
........ (405) 397-1599
SE Region-Leah Lowe............ (405) 206-7720
Deer Management Assistance
Painted buntings are one of many songbirds that benefit from forb-rich
Program
areas. (Fred Dissinger/RPS 2020)
Dallas Barber..........................(405) 385-1791
Oklahoma Land Access Program forbs can serve as two important Other forbs like partridge
Jeff Tibbits..............................(405) 535-7382
habitat components: food and pea, beggar’s lice, asters and
Jason Rockwell.......................(405) 535-5681 cover or shelter. verbenas provide a large
amount of green forage for deer
Oklahoma Wildscape A variety of wildlife depend and small mammals. In fact,
Certification Program: on forbs as a food source. somewhere around 70 percent
Melynda Hickman..................(405) 990-4977 Songbirds and upland game of the spring and summer diet
Streams Management birds like quail and turkey of deer is provided by forbs.
Jim Burroughs........................(918) 683-1031 can feed directly on the seeds Many of the commercially
produced, or indirectly on the available food plot mixtures
Farm Pond Technical Assistance; insects attracted to the plants planted by hunters contain high
Farm Pond Fish Stocking Program: and blooms. Additionally, many percentages of forbs like clover,
NW Region - Chas Patterson.(580) 474-2668 pollinators feed on nectar cowpea and chicory. However,
SW Region - Ryan Ryswyk.....(580) 529-2795 produced by flowering plants native forbs can provide higher
NE Region - Josh Johnston....(918) 346-3220 and use forbs as a host for their levels of crude protein that is
E C Region - Jim Burroughs...(918) 683-1031 eggs and caterpillars. more readily absorbed and
S E Region - Don Groom.......(918) 297-0153 digested.
C Region - Keith Thomas...(405) 325-7288 Milkweeds are the well-known
host for monarch butterflies, Forbs also provide cover for
Other ODWC Contacts:
and provide developing fawns while the mother is
Operation Game Thief..........(800) 522-8039
caterpillars with a shroud of feeding and for small mammals
License Section......................(405) 521-3852
protection. Milkweed plants avoiding aerial predators like
Website...................wildlifedepartment.com
contain chemical compounds kestrels and other raptors.
“Your Side of the Fence” is published twice
that are ingested by the growing Songbirds and game birds
annually to promote wildlife and fisheries monarch caterpillars and make may use forbs as shade and
management on Oklahoma’s private lands. the caterpillars poisonous to protective cover, while other
Articles may be reprinted with permission most vertebrates when preyed songbirds may use the forbs as
from the editor:
upon. perches for resting or hunting
Kyle Johnson...........................(405) 590-2584 insects.
kyle.johnson@odwc.ok.gov
This program receives federal assistance from the U.S. Fish In the end, the plants we may
and Wildlife Service, and thus prohibits discrimination on have deemed as “weeds” may
the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability,
age, and sex (gender), pursuant to Title VII of the Civil play a role in soil health, grazing
Rights Act of 1964 (as amended), Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975,
management, and especially
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II in the survival of wildlife.
of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. To request
an accommodation or informational material in an
Schedule a visit with the Wildlife
alternative format, please contact (Oklahoma Department Department’s private lands staff
of Wildlife Conservation, (405) 521-3851). If you believe
you have been discriminated against in any program, to learn how to increase the
activity, or service, please contact: U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Monarch caterpillars are native forbs on your property at
Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management,
5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. dependent on milkweed plants. wildlifedepartment.com.
2 Summer 2021
WATER MATTERS
Are Crappie Right for My Pond?
By David Bogner, Southeast Region Fisheries Biologist
According
to the book
“Small
Impound
Management
in North
America”
by Neal
and Willis,
“Crappie
management
in small
impounds
should only be attempted by
highly motivated pond owners.” If
you would rather fish than tinker Motivated pond owners can reap great crappie rewards. (ODWC)
with your pond year after year, a year. A bigger pond reduces the fillets for fish sandwiches!
crappie pond may not be for you. likelihood of crappie taking over
For those that do take the leap, and stunting out, or at least slows Stocking rates vary given that
there are a few tradeoffs and the process. Larger ponds also stocking crappie is not often
caveats to consider. have more open water habitat recommended in ponds. Stocking
that helps reduce the resource pairs of adult crappie is the best
First, you need a pond that is at overlap between species. If you way to start your crappie pond.
least 24 acres, though 35 acres have a large pond or private lake A pond of 25 acres should have
or more is infinitely better. Black of 100 acres, you are not as likely about 20 pairs of black crappie
and white crappie are prolific to have issues; but if you do, it will added. You can use white
spawners. A one-acre hatchery be much harder to correct. crappie, but black crappie are
pond with 25 pairs of crappie best recommended for the pond
will produce several thousand Second, you have to be willing environment. In ponds over 25
offspring in the 2-4 inch range. to sacrifice your bigger bass. acres, add 3 more pairs of crappie
Many of the potential problems To control the tons of smaller for every 15 acres.
with crappie in ponds come from crappie you are about to have,
their spawning potential. A large you need to manage your pond Pond owners with the right
year class of crappie can reduce for a lot of smaller bass that motivation to continually tinker
the available forage base and are 10-15 inches in length. in their ponds can be greatly
result in stunting. Additionally, Largemouth bass this size will rewarded with a successful
crappie often have boom and predate on the smaller crappie crappie population. For more
bust cycles. You may encounter and hopefully reduce their information about managing
several thousand offspring one densities. On the plus side, 10-15 your pond, contact the Wildlife
year but next to none the next inch size bass have the perfect Department.
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation 3
LANDOWNER SPOTLIGHT
Partnerships Help Build Habitat in Southeastern Oklahoma
By Leah Lowe, Private Lands Biologist
With Game Management Association.
approximately Using ODWC’s Deer Management
95 percent Assistance Program protocol as
of Oklahoma their foundation, the group now
land privately works together to manage the
owned and deer population on approximately
operated, 1,500 collective acres.
landowners
and land With wildlife as a solid focus for
managers the property, Brian reached out
make up the to the Wildlife Department’s
largest “boots- private lands staff to identify and
on-the-ground” group that affects plan habitat improvements. He
wildlife conservation outcomes in applied for financial assistance
Oklahoma. through the Wildlife Department’s
Wildlife Habitat Improvement
Because landowners are essential Program and was approved for
contributors in Oklahoma’s his first WHIP contract in 2020.
wildlife conservation story, the
Wildlife Department works with Brian Price with his first deer.
hundreds of landowners across
the state each year as they the game management aspect.
improve their “piece of heaven,” Since purchasing the property
no matter how small, or how in 2019 the duo has taken huge
many partners are involved. Two steps toward their objective
such landowners, Brain Price of improving wildlife habitat
and Mark Jenison, are relatively by restoring the native plant
new Oklahoma landowners who community and structure.
have banded together – and with
nearby landowners – to build Brian and Mark began by
habitat and make an impact on identifying and establishing
wildlife beyond their fence lines. hunting sites throughout the
property and setting up the
Price and Jenison are Texas amenities so that family and
natives who jointly own 320 friends could hunt and enjoy the
acres in Bryan County. The two property with them. Mark also
manage the property together took the initiative to pitch a deer
for both wildlife and recreation. harvest plan to their neighboring
Mark Jenison, backpack sprayer in
Brian takes charge of the habitat landowners, which led to the
tow, after finishing chemical timber
management and Mark handles creation of the Shawnee Creek
thinning.
4 Summer 2021
This contract has enabled Brian plan to continue using the
to install a portion of his planned technical and financial assistance
firebreaks and accomplish some available through the Wildlife
much needed selective timber Department to install more
thinning. firebreaks (allowing for more
prescribed burns), establish a
After careful planning with the rotational burn schedule, and
help of the Wildlife Department reduce invasive eastern redcedar
and their local fire department, prevalence. In the end, they hope
and lots of preparation, Brian to enjoy their property with family
and Mark gathered some friends and friends for years to come
and equipment and put the new by providing the best possible
firebreaks to use. They conducted experience and continuing to
prescribed burns on two units: attract wildlife by implementing
their designated “dove field” unit the best management practices
and one of their forested units, for their property.
totaling about 40 acres. Both
prescribed burns were executed Good on ya, Brian and Mark! The
safely and effectively, removing Wildlife Department praises your
dead plant material to make way Prescribed burn on the “dove field.” inspiring forward movements in
for new growth and targeting a wildlife habitat conservation on
few eastern redcedars. Moving forward, Brian and Mark Oklahoma’s private lands.
Jo Ann Bishop/RPS
LANDOWNER NEWS
Don’t Miss Out on Future Your Side of the Fence Newsletters
By Kyle
The Johnson,
Wildlife Private Your
Department’s Lands Biologist
copies of the newsletter are currently receive the newsletter
Side of the Fence newsletter is encouraged to sign up to receive via email and those who sign up
a popular and important tool the Your Side of the Fence via to receive them by email now and
for many landowners and email. in the future.”
managers across the state. Now,
Oklahomans have the chance to “Having four newsletters each Mail subscribers and landowners
access four newsletters per year. year will give us the opportunity or managers not yet receiving the
to address a wider variety of newsletter are encouraged to visit
Beginning in 2021, four Your fish and wildlife-related topics https://public.govdelivery.com/
Side of the Fence newsletters will and present the information in a accounts/OKDWC/subscriber/
be released annually. However, more time-appropriate manner,” new?topic_id=ODWC_3 to sign up
the extra issues, beyond the said Kyle Johnson, coordinator of via email and ensure they receive
traditional July and January the newsletter. “The additional each Your Side of the Fence in 2021
newsletters, will only be released newsletters will likely be released and beyond.
digitally. As a result, subscribers in April and October, but these
receiving only the mailed hard will only go out to those that
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation 5
TECH NOTE
Keeping up with Kudzu — Managing the “Foot-a-Night” Vine
By Kyle Johnson, Private Lands Biologist
Kudzu has
long been
regarded as a
troublesome
vine in the
southeastern
United States,
smothering
thousands of
acres in some
areas. Now,
even Oklahomans need to keep
an eye out for this problematic
plant.
As its “foot-a-night” or “mile-a-
minute” nicknames imply, Kudzu
grows voraciously, swallowing
up acres fast. Few plants survive
where kudzu invades, especially
as time passes. Entire trees can be
swarmed, often causing the tree
to die and/or fall over.
Kudzu, which can be misidentified as poison ivy, has brown, hairy stems
and leaflets that are hand-sized or larger. (Kyle Johnson/ODWC)
communities makes these vines can be repeatedly sprayed during
very difficult to control. the growing season to defoliate
the plant and force it to use its
Kudzu has been documented Thankfully, keeping an eye out for root reserves to regrow new
in several Oklahoma counties. young kudzu outbreaks and taking leaves. If only one application is
(Map courtesy of Oklahoma State action early does provide various possible, spraying in the fall is
University.) control options. Goats, sheep, and best, especially while the leaves
cattle will repeatedly eat kudzu. are still green.
Tap roots can weigh as much Control is also achievable through
as 200 pounds, and vines that repeated mowing and/or cutting. When non-target plants are
trail along the soil quickly grow Both of these measures will help, nearby, the cut stump method
new roots for added support but neither is likely to eliminate it. is recommended. Cutting and
and growth. Unfortunately, the Other control options include the carefully treating the root crown
size of well-established kudzu use of herbicides. Kudzu foliage with glyphosate, triclopyr,
6 Summer 2021
have dozens of roots supporting it
over a wide area.
Regardless of the method chosen,
landowners fighting a battle
against kudzu should monitor the
site each year and continue with
control measures as needed. Ten
years may be required before zero
kudzu plants emerge, especially
for well-established communities.
In addition, annual inspections are
always recommended in any area
where kudzu once occurred or
occurs nearby.
Technical assistance for kudzu
and other noxious weeds is
available by contacting the private
lands biologist in your region.
Kudzu and other invasive plants
Applying herbicide immediately to a cut kudzu stump is a great way can be reported at inaturalist.
to target the control away from desirable plants that may be nearby. org. Potential kudzu sightings can
Following all label directions and precautions is important when using also be sent to Oklahoma State
any pesticide product. (Kyle Johnson/ODWC) University’s Karen Hickman at
karen.hickman@okstate.edu for
metsulfuron, or aminopyralid will stump methods are combined verification.
help target the chemical to the to provide the greatest results,
root system. Often, foliar and cut especially since a single vine can
Kudzu will overtake native plant communities and consume many acres when left uncontrolled. (Kyle Johnson/
ODWC.)
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation 7
Summer 2019 A Publication of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation’s Private Lands Section
What’s Inside
Page 1 From Villian to Superhero: Rewriting the story
of weeds
Page 3 Are Crappie Right for My Pond?
Page 4 Partnerships Help Build Habitat in
Southeastern Oklahoma
Page 6 Keeping up with Kudzu — Managing the
“Foot-a-Night” Vine
PERMIT NO. 35
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
NORMAN, OK
P.O. Box 53465
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Private Lands Section
ORGANIZATION
Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
NON PROFIT
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