September 2023 - 45

" We want to try to slow CWD down as
much as possible, " Allen said. " When you pass
that 5 to 10 percent range, it's even harder
to control it within a population, so you
want to do whatever you can to reduce that
commingling and spread. "
As well as increasing the risk of disease
transmission, feel-good feeding can make
wild animals lose their fear of humans, causing
them to venture too close to people and
homes. Deer, elk and moose can mow down
costly landscaping plants. While on the hunt
for easy neighborhood meals, they cross roads
repeatedly, increasing the odds of collisions.
When animals learn to associate humans
with food, they can become aggressive. Courtemanch
said in recent years Game and Fish
has relocated two aggressive moose from the
Jackson area. Unfortunately, relocated animals
don't always do well, especially in the middle
of winter. " In at least one of these instances,
the moose did not survive, " she said.
Backyard feeding also attracts grizzlies,
black bears and smaller animals like rodents,
foxes, skunks, coyotes and raccoons. Unnatural
concentrations of deer can draw mountain
lions to residential areas, creating stress especially
for parents and pet owners.
Another concern is the potential for feeding
to shortstop deer along their seasonal migration
routes, said John Lund, Game and Fish
wildlife supervisor in the Pinedale region. " If
somebody were to start feeding a large group
of deer here early in the winter, those deer
may have normally migrated further south
into better habitat. But if they get on the feed,
they may end up staying all winter, " he said.
HOW TO HELP
Ultimately, backyard feeding causes more
harm than good, according to Game and Fish
project manager and former game warden
Mark Nelson. " I've seen people giving deer
cinnamon rolls and all sorts of horrible stuff, "
he said. A better approach for helping wildlife,
in his view, is to focus on habitat improvement.
With plenty of high-quality habitat, animals
can find the natural foods they traditionally
eat, as well as winter cover to help conserve
body fat. Federal wildlife refuges, state wildlife
areas and easements, other public lands and
properties of conservation-minded landowners
can provide these environments.
Biologists and wildlife managers suggest that
people who want to help wildlife lend their
support to habitat protection and restoration.
Feeding deer can cause them to lose their fear of humans where they venture too close to people and homes. (WGFD photo)
Homeowners with larger lots can protect or
plant more native vegetation on their land,
and landowners can conserve winter cover like
dense conifer stands and cattail marshes. They
also can support wildlife crossings, modify
fencing and leave gates open when possible
so animals can reach natural habitats.
During the critical period in late winter and
early spring when cervids' energy stores are at
their lowest, hikers, cross-country skiers and
antler hunters can avoid disturbing wildlife as
much as possible - and ensure their dogs do
the same - so the animals don't burn up the
last of their fat reserves. When homeowners are
concerned about sick wildlife on their property,
instead of feeding the animals, they can call
local Game and Fish field staff, suggested Allen.
But one of the most important ways to help
big game is also the easiest: Don't feed them.
" People think they're doing wildlife a favor, "
Nelson said. " But they're not. "
- Julie Lue is a freelance writer in Florence, Montana.
She is the author of " What I saw in Grand Teton: a Kid's
Guide to the National Park, " a High Plains Book Award
Finalist. This is her first contribution to Wyoming Wildlife
magazine.
Wyoming Wildlife | 43

September 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September 2023