Most wildlife species will use habitats that extend beyond your property boundary to fulfill a portion of their biological requirements. However, you can improve the habitat conditions for wildlife populations on the land that you manage.

To successfully manage wildlife on your property, carefully consider these three questions before you begin:

  1. What are your management objectives for your property?
  2. Which species or group of species do you want to encourage?
  3. How much money and time do you wish to spend?

Resources and technical assistance are available from wildlife and natural resource professionals with the Missouri Department of Conservation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and other organizations to help you achieve your wildlife management goals and objectives.

On this website you will find MU publications and other resources our experts have developed to provide information on habitat management practices focusing on:

A person holding a cardinal in their hand
Assessing habitats in neighborhoods and urban environments

Learn more about urban and suburban environments providing habitats that sustain native plant and animal communities with MU Extension publication MP927, Assessing Wildlife Habitats and Natural Resources in Neighborhoods and Urban Environments.

Field with varied vegetation
Establishing and managing habitats on agricultural lands

Learn more about how a diversity of early successional plant communities within the agricultural landscape provides food and cover for a variety of wildlife species with MU Extension publication MP907, Establishing and Managing Early Successional Habitats for Wildlife on Agricultural Lands.

A buck with antlers in front of a tree line
Integrating woodland and wildlife management practices

Learn how to apply management techniques that influence plant succession and enhance habitats for diverse wildlife species while improving forest productivity with MU Extension publication G9415, Integrating Woodland and Wildlife Management Practices on Your Property.