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Stay clear of wintering wildlife |
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January 26, 2017 |
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| Creative
Commons License photo by John Gatens |
| Wintering
mule deer on Ammon Hill east of Idaho
Falls. |
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By Mike Demick
IDFG Conservation Information Supervisor
Winter provides great opportunities to view
Idaho wildlife against snow covered hillsides.
But it is very important to enjoy the view from
a distance. Winter can be very stressful for
wildlife, especially in winters like this when
snow is deep and temperatures are cold.
Idaho Fish and Game offers a few tips for
helping wildlife make it through winter:
* Drive slowly, especially at night. Elk and deer are congregating
in lowlands, often along roadways. Be on the
lookout and give them space.
* Don’t ski or trek, or ride a snowmobile on any hillside that has
animal tracks or visible wildlife. Your presence
will increase stress on wildlife.
* Keep your dogs on a leash.
* Please don’t feed wildlife, you could make them sick or even kill
them. You can also inadvertently bait them away
from traditional feeding sites and cause
problems for neighbors.
* If your home is located in or near big game winter range, deer and
elk will often eat ornamental shrubs. The plants
will grow back.
* Mountain lions follow prey and if you have prey (deer and elk) in
your neighborhood, you may have predators nearby
too. Please be aware.
Fish and Game is closely monitoring wildlife and
how they are faring throughout the state, and
the agency has started winter feeding operations
at several locations across Southern Idaho.
Fish and Game looks to natural forage to sustain
big game populations, but when emergency
conditions exist, winter feeding becomes an
option. Three main conditions that can trigger
winter feeding are:
* Private Property Damage
* Public Safety Concerns
* Excessively Harsh Winter Conditions that may result in significant
losses to adult animals
Visit the Idaho Fish and Game website for more
information about criteria for winter feeding
and for weekly updates on conditions and efforts
throughout the state
https://idfg.idaho.gov.
We all care about wildlife and several people
have contacted Fish and Game and asked about
contributing money to assist with winter
feeding. If you would like to can help, you can
donate to Idaho Fish and Game’s “Winter Feeding”
account if you choose. Simply send a check made
out to Idaho Fish and Game Winterfeed, Idaho
Fish and Game, Attn: Administration, 600 S.
Walnut, PO Box 25, Boise, Idaho 83707.
All received checks will be deposited into the
winter feed account and a letter from the
department will be sent in acknowledgement of
the donation to the address on the check. |
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