Stay clear of wintering wildlife

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/