What is a wild meadow?
A game cover is a defined area of land – typically 0.1–2 ha – which is sown with a seed mixture of crops and flowering plants, providing food, shelter, and cover for game and birds throughout the season. Game covers are established by hunters, farmers, and nature conservationists to strengthen the local game population and promote biodiversity.
Vildtageren kan have flere formål, og formålet bestemmer, hvordan den etableres og vedligeholdes. Generelt bidrager vildtageren til at øge biodiversiteten, hvilket er et af hovedformålene. Formål med en vildtager: * **Føde og levesteder for vildt:** Den primære funktion af en vildtager er at forsyne vildt med føde og dække igennem hele året. Dette kan være korn, frø, bær, rødder og planter, som vildtet kan bruge som skjul. * **Forbedring af avlsmuligheder:** Vildtageren kan supplere vildtets naturlige fødekilder, især i perioder hvor naturlige fødeemner er knappe, f.eks. om vinteren eller tidligt forår. Dette kan forbedre vildtets generelle kondition og dermed dets evne til at yngle. * **Fremme af insektliv:** Mange afgrøder, der anvendes i vildtager, tiltrækker bestøvere og andre insekter, hvilket øger biodiversiteten. * **Forbedring af jagtoplevelsen:** En velanlagt vildtager kan tiltrække vildt og dermed øge jagtmulighederne og oplevelsen for jægere. Dette er ofte et vigtigt formål for landbrug, der ønsker at kombinere landbrug og jagt. * **Erosionskontrol:** Visse typer af grønne gødninger, der anvendes i vildtager, kan hjælpe med at forhindre jorderosion. Valget af afgrøder til vildtageren afhænger af formålet, jordbunden, klimaet og de vildtarter, man ønsker at tiltrække.
A wild pasture is not just about hunting – it is an active nature management tool. A well-planned piece of land with the right plants can:
- Provide pheasants, partridges, hares and roe deer with a stable food supply up to and through the winter.
- Create insect-rich biotopes for breeding birds and pollinators
- Act as hedges and hiding places between fields and forest.
- Contribute to more varied wildlife on properties that are otherwise managed intensively
Game cover is one of the most effective measures a hunting tenant or landowner can take to increase game density over time.
Seed mix selection
The seed mix is the foundation of the wildflower meadow. A poor choice results in thin, weed-infested growth with no nutritional value – no matter how well the soil has been treated. A good wildflower mix typically combines:
| Group | Examples | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Cereal crops | Oats, wheat, maize | Early sowing, energy in winter |
| Legumes | Lupins, vetch, clover | Protein-rich feed, nitrogen fixation |
| Oil plants | Sunflower, rapeseed | High seed production, coverage |
| Herbs and flowers | Chicory, phacelia, buckwheat | Insects, long flowering |
| Perennial base plants | Red clover, ryegrass | Stability and overwintering capability |
Faunamaster offers pre-mixed seed mixtures – including dedicated game cover mixtures – composed to suit the Danish climate and the needs of the game. It saves time and ensures a balanced species composition. Choose a mixture with a varied flowering period, so the game field provides food from early summer to frost.
Soil cultivation and seedbed preparation
A wild bird cover crop does not have the same demands as a high-yielding cereal field – but a good seedbed is crucial for uniform germination.
- Plough or harrow in autumn/early spring – remove old crop and perennial weeds. DH120 ATV-harvester is well-suited for processing a smaller area to a uniform surface without a full tractor pass.
- Let the earth settle – allow the surface a few days to consolidate, particularly on light soils.
- Check for damp and weeds A low, even moisture level provides the best seed-to-soil contact. If a lot of weeds sprout before sowing, light harrowing can be repeated.
- Avoid excessive solution – most species in a wildflower mix are small-seeded and require a shallow seedbed (1–3 cm).
Sowing: timing, temperature and technique
When should it be sown?
Timing is one of the most frequent sources of error. It is typical to sow too early in the spring. A wild goose chase requires:
- The soil temperature is a minimum of 8–10°C in the sowing depth. Under this, many species do not germinate, or germinate very unevenly.
- The risk of frost is over – cold nights after germination can set vulnerable herbs back.
- As a rule of thumb, Maj the most reliable time in Denmark. In mild years and on light, south-facing soils, you can start at the end of April.
Seed technology
An even sowing is essential for dense growth. Here's Faunamaster S105 And the S180 seeders are the natural choice for ATVs/UTVs: the S105 for smaller areas and narrow access (forest clearings, outbuildings, corner pieces), and the S180 for larger, open fields. Both are designed for precise, ground-level sowing, which minimises seed wastage – critical for the many small seeds in a mixture. Keep the sowing depth shallow: 1–2 cm for light mixtures, max. 3 cm for cereal components.
Seasonal care
- Early summer Check for germination 2–3 weeks after sowing.
- Early summer Aggressively target and control weeds (thistles, mugwort) – avoid general mowing.
- Summer Let the wildflower herbs finish flowering for the benefit of insects and birds.
- Late summer/autumn Don't mow down the whole weed patch – keep standing material as winter cover and a seed bank.
- Winter Record which plants the game prefers for next year's seed selection.
Machine selection for wild meadow work
| Task | Recommended machine |
|---|---|
| Seedbed and surface cultivation | DH120 or DH140 ATV harrow |
| Precise sowing of seed mixture | Faunamaster S105 or S180 seed drill |
| Mowing/clearing of invasive weeds | FM130 flail mower |
| Spraying for selective weed control | FMS70 sprayer |
The advantage of the ATV/UTV-mounted system is the accessibility: a tractor cannot reach all the corners, ditch edges and clearings where game fields are often established with the greatest effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
How large must a wild area be to be effective?
Already from approximately 0.1 hectares, a game cover crop starts to provide noticeable cover and forage. Larger areas deliver more impact, but placement and seed selection often weigh more heavily than sheer size.
Why is my wild strawberry sprouting unevenly?
The most common causes are sowing too early (soil temperature too low), sowing small seeds too deeply, or an uneven seedbed. An ATV harrow helps to achieve a fine-grained, even surface.
When is the wild pear most valuable to game?
From late summer, when seeding begins, and up until winter, the wild crop is crucial as a food source. Standing material over winter also provides important cover.
Can I see a wildflower meadow in a field that is normally cultivated with grain?
Yes. It simply requires proper soil preparation and a mix that is suitable for the soil type. Be aware of any withdrawal periods if the field normally receives pesticides.
Do I need permission to establish a wildlife field?
As a general rule, no, if the area is on agricultural land that you control yourself. If the area is included in a subsidy scheme for agriculture, you should check the applicable rules with the Danish AgriFish Agency.
Get started with your wild harvest
Faunamaster provides everything for establishing and maintaining a game field – from tested seed mixtures to S105/S180 seed drills and DH120/DH140 harrows, which do the job precisely from your ATV or UTV. See the full range at shop.faunamaster.com.