Mowing or bushhogging can be devasting to many Tennessee wildlife species that nest in fields at this time of year, which include white-tailed deer, bobwhite quail, cottontail rabbits, wild turkey, and ground-nesting songbirds, such as eastern meadowlark. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says waiting until after mid-August greatly reduces the chance of killing and injuring nesting and newborn wildlife and still allows for effective field maintenance.

“Although we like to keep our lawns and other immediate homestead property looking clean and neat by regular mowing, old fields and odd ar...