JEROME - With winter's snow piling up in the mountains, elk and mule deer have made their annual migration to lower elevation ranges. In some instances, people and big game have a difficult time sharing the land during the winter period. Roadways and residential locations are two of the biggest problem areas.
Here are a few tips from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game which will help wildlife and people to coexist:
- Drive with caution. Look for eye reflection along roadways. Travel at slower speeds.
- Pay attention to wildlife crossing signs along roadways. Wildlife often cross roadways at the same locations year after year. Idaho Department of Transportation has posted signs warning motorists of typical crossing locations.
- Store feed, hay, grain in a shed or building, making it inaccessible to wildlife.
- Wrap shrubs with burlap or fencing material to keep wildlife from feeding on needles, limbs, or bark.
- Do not feed wildlife when they show up in the backyard. If you feed one or two elk today there is a good chance more will join them tomorrow. What starts as a well-intended handout often becomes an expensive and dangerous situation for both the landowner and the elk population.
- Keep dogs kenneled or chained to keep them from harassing wildlife. If you live in mountain lion or wolf country, do not let your dogs run at-large.
- Keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Additionally, smaller less glamorous wildlife such as skunks, foxes and raccoons can become a nuisance. Here are same additional tips to minimize chance encounters with these common species:
- Place garbage in covered containers and keep in a closed building until the morning of trash pick-up.
- Don't feed pets outside at night. When night comes bring food dishes inside or keep them in the garage.
- Eliminate habitat for nuisance wildlife. Clean up wood, brush, fruit tree droppings, garden vegetables and garbage piles near home.
For more information on living with wildlife, contact the Fish and Game office at 324-4359.
