This is a habitat-first mix—ideal for land managers who want cover, security, and seasonal nutrition for big game and wildlife rather than short-lived green feed.
What this mix delivers
- Woody browse & screening cover from basin big sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and antelope bitterbrush
- Strong perennial grass foundation to resist cheatgrass reinvasion
- High-value native forbs for pollinators, brood-rearing insects, and seasonal forage
- Long-term site stability on dry rangelands, benches, and south-facing slopes
Ideal uses
- Mule deer & elk winter and transition range
- Big game bedding and security cover
- CRP, SAFE, and NRCS wildlife plantings
- Large ranch and conservation restorations across the Snake River Plain
Species include
Ricegrass, Indian (1), Sagebrush, Basin Big (0.25), Balsamroot, Hookers (0.1), Balsamroot, Arrowleaf (0.15), Beeplant, Rocky Mountain (0.15), Bottlebrush squirreltail (0.6), Wheatgrass, Thickspike (1), Wheatgrass, Snake River (1.4), Rabbitbrush, rubber (0.15), Indian blanket (0.25), Sunflower, Annual (0.3), Biscuitroot, Nineleaf (0.1), Bluegrass, Sandberg (VNS) (0.5), Wheatgrass, Bluebunch (1.8), Antelope bitterbrush (0.45), Globemallow, Monro's (0.08). Created January 2026.
(Final composition balances grasses, shrubs, and forbs for long-term structure rather than quick cover.)
NRCS & program fit
- NRCS 327 – Conservation Cover
- NRCS 420 – Wildlife Habitat Planting
- NRCS 645 – Upland Wildlife Habitat Management
- Suitable for SAFE and state wildlife programs
Best seeded:
- Late fall dormant seeding or very early spring
Drill depth:
- ¼–½ inch (no deeper than ½ inch for shrubs & forbs)
Site prep:
- Firm, weed-free seedbed is critical; aggressive cheatgrass control recommended prior to planting
Management:
- Avoid grazing for at least two growing seasons to allow shrub establishment
This mix functionally replaces the following SRP-appropriate shrub / big game / range wildlife mixes:
- ID PF Diverse Native Range Grass Forb Shrub Mix A (Basin Big Sagebrush)
- ID PF Diverse Native Range Grass Forb Mix C (partial replacement)
- ID PF Diverse Native Range Grass Forb Shrub Mix B (Mountain Big Sagebrush)
- ID PF Range Native Grass w/forbs Mix D & E
