Dogs Can Be A Problem For Big Game

In recent weeks, several Fish and Game officers have received complaints about dogs chasing big game animals. This seemingly natural doggy activity is very hard on wildlife at a time of year when they can least afford to be unnecessarily bothered. Big game such as elk and deer spend much of the winter conserving energy. They move around slowly and simply do not roam as far as during the rest of the year. Snoozing on sunny hillsides becomes an important activity that helps the animals save their energy reserves for battling the cold. This relatively sedentary winter lifestyle helps many animals survive the rigors of winter. But add a dog doing what just comes naturally and the potential survival of some animals can become questionable. Solving this problem and helping our wildlife survive winter basically comes down to responsible dog ownership. If you are a cross-country skier who likes to ski with your dog and the dog cannot resist the temptation to chase animals, leave your dog at home. If you walk in areas frequented by big game, leash your dog. If big game animals frequently cross your property, make sure your dog is confined and unable to chase after the animals. With more of us living close to deer and elk winter range, this becomes more important. Finally, by preventing your dog from chasing wildlife you will also be protecting your dog. Elk and deer can cause major injuries or death, necessitating a visit to your veterinarian for treatment or euthanasia. Additionally, your dog could be hit by a car when in hot pursuit of a deer that crosses a road. Or they could become lost after a long chase. By protecting your dog, you will also be helping our wildlife survive Idaho's winter, and that is hard enough already.