Establishing a Game Crop Plot – A Guide to Wildlife Management, Crops and Current Rules

Establishing a game crop plot is one of the most effective ways to improve conditions for wildlife while also creating better hunting opportunities. A game crop plot provides food, cover and an undisturbed refuge for both deer and small game, making it an important part of modern wildlife management. This guide covers everything you need to know about establishing a game crop plot – from planning and crop selection to current rules and maintenance.

What is a game crop plot?

A game crop plot is an area of cultivated land deliberately planted to benefit wildlife. Unlike conventional fields, its purpose is not to produce a harvest, but to provide access to natural food and cover throughout the year. Game crop plots are mainly used to support deer, hares, pheasants and grey partridges, but they also benefit insects and other small animals, increasing biodiversity on the hunting ground.

Why establish a game crop plot?

Establishing a game crop plot offers many benefits:

• A better food supply when natural food is scarce

• Improved survival of small game and their young

• A more natural distribution of game across the ground

• Less pressure on agricultural crops

• Better hunting experiences and wildlife management

A well-established game crop plot is therefore both a practical and an ethical investment in hunting.

Planning your game crop plot

Choosing a location

Location is crucial to the plot's effectiveness. It should be in a quiet area with minimal human activity, ideally alongside woodland, scrub, hedgerows or shelterbelts. Game needs to feel safe to use the area both day and night.

Size and layout

A game crop plot does not need to be large to be effective. In practice, many plots cover 0.1–0.5 hectares (approximately 1,000–5,000 m²), which is often more than enough to attract game and keep it in the area.

It is generally better to establish several smaller plots than one large one. Smaller plots encourage game to spread more evenly across the ground and reduce the risk of overgrazing. Irregular shapes with plenty of edges also encourage wildlife to use the area, as the transitions between habitats are particularly attractive.

Soil cultivation and preparation

Before sowing, the soil must be thoroughly prepared. This typically involves ploughing, harrowing or rotavating to create loose, weed-free soil. A soil test can be useful, as many game crops grow best at a pH of around 6–6.5.

Fertiliser should be applied with care. Game crop plots generally require far less fertiliser than conventional fields, and excessive application can encourage vigorous weed growth.

Choosing crops for your game crop plot

Your choice of crops depends on the game species you want to support and the time of year when food needs to be available.

Common game crops

• Cereals (oats, barley, wheat): Good food for both deer and gamebirds

• Cabbage, forage rape and kale: Energy-rich winter food for deer

• Clover and lucerne: Appealing summer and autumn forage

• Sunflowers and buckwheat: Provide both food and structure

• Game crop mixtures: Provide variety and a long period of cover

A mixture of several crops produces the best game crop plot and provides food for most of the year.

Sowing and establishment

Sowing time depends on the crops chosen, but most game crop plots are established either in spring or late summer. Always follow the recommended seed rates and sowing depths. Correct sowing is essential for a good result.

Once established, the area should be left undisturbed so that game quickly begins to use the plot.

Managing and maintaining a game crop plot

A game crop plot is not a case of “sow and forget”. Ongoing management is needed to keep it effective:

• Mowing or light cultivation to prevent the plot from becoming overgrown

• Reseeding or overseeding as needed

• Limited use of pesticides – ideally avoiding them altogether

The aim is to create a reliable, natural source of food and cover.

Game crop plot rules and legislation

Before establishing a game crop plot, you must familiarise yourself with the current rules:

• Nature conservation: Land protected under Section 3 of the Danish Nature Protection Act must not be altered without permission

• Agricultural subsidies: Game crop plots may qualify for support schemes, but specific requirements apply

• Feeding rules: Game crop plots are regarded as natural food sources, but must not be used to disguise supplementary feeding

• Local provisions: Hunting rights agreements and leases may contain specific rules

If in doubt, always contact the local municipality or an agricultural adviser.

Game crop plots as part of modern wildlife management

Establishing game crop plots is a key part of responsible hunting and wildlife management. When properly planned and maintained, a plot benefits wildlife, the natural environment and the hunter alike. A successful game crop plot supports healthier game populations, more natural behaviour and better hunting experiences – year after year.