Conservative Libertarian Outpost

From our good friends at the Colorado Division of Wildlife some words of wisdom, so that you do not end up with a blog posting in “Stupid is as stupid does.” 

DOW URGES: BE MINDFUL OF MOUNTAIN LIONS

Around the home:
-It is against the law to feed deer or other wildlife in Colorado. Attracting deer to your neighborhood increases the likelihood that mountain lions will follow because deer are a lion’s main food source.
-Closely supervise children when they play outdoors especially around dawn and dusk when lions are most active.
-Make a lot of noise when coming and going, especially from dusk until dawn.
-Turn on outside lights before stepping outside.

Hiking:
-When you are in areas where lions might be present, travel in groups and make lots of noise, especially from dusk until dawn when lions are most active.
-Mountain lion sightings are rare, but if you see one, do NOT approach the lion.
-Stay calm. Back away slowly as running may trigger the lion’s natural predatory instinct.
-Open your jacket and raise your arms to make yourself appear larger than normal.
-Pick up young children so they don’t panic and run away.
-If a lion behaves aggressively, throw rocks, branches, or anything else you can find without —crouching down or turning away. Wave your arms and speak firmly.
-In the rare case that you are attacked by a lion, fight back. Remain standing if possible and try to get up if you are knocked down.

Pets:
–Keep your pets on a leash. Roaming pets are easy prey and can attract lions.
-Bring your pets in at night. If you leave your pet outside, make sure they are in a kennel with a secure top.
-Don’t feed your pets outside as this can attract raccoons, skunks and other animals that are eaten by lions.

For more information on mountain lions, pick up a copy of the DOW publication Living with Wildlife in Lion Country (also available via our Website).

The Division of Wildlife commissioned a study in April 2006 to get a sense of how the public feel about mountain lions.  The study found that most survey respondents were fairly knowledgeable about what to do in case of a lion encounter and the respondents made an effort to be more aware of their surroundings when recreating in known lion habitat.  This survey, Public Opinions and Perceptions of Mountain Lion Issues can be viewed on our Website at: MountainLionSurveyResults.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation. The Division is funded through hunting and fishing license fees, federal grants and Colorado Lottery proceeds through Great Outdoors Colorado.

For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.

DO NOT APPROACH OR HANDLE YOUNG WILDLIFE

This is the time of year when wildlife give birth to their young. The Colorado Division of Wildlife advises people not to approach, touch or handle young animals.

“We know that people are trying to be helpful, but young animals are best cared for by their own parents,” said Tony Gurzick, southwest assistant regional manager for the DOW. “The best thing people can do is to leave young wildlife alone.”

During spring and early summer, people often see young animals that appear to be alone in the forest, in backyards or along the sides of roads.

“The animals have not been abandoned. Young animals are often left alone to allow the mother to feed, to help them avoid predators and to learn how to live in the wild,” Gurzick explained.

Deer provide a good example of how wildlife adapts behaviors to help them survive. Young fawns have no scent and are born with speckled coats that provide a natural camouflage. These two factors help them avoid being found by predators. When the mother doe senses a predator might be near it moves away from its young. Many other animals use similar techniques.

Young birds often fall out of their nests or are pushed out of nests by parents to encourage them to fly, explained Chad Morgan, a district wildlife manager in the Greeley area. Young birds should not be touched. An exception can be made if a bird can be placed quickly back into its nest. But the nest must be easily accessible, Morgan said.

“If a young bird is on the ground it will quickly learn to fly,” Morgan said. “It’s best to let nature take its course.”

People also need to keep their pets under control. In the woods, dogs–acting on their natural predator instincts-can find animals and attack them. The stress of being attacked often is fatal for young animals unable to defend themselves.

In neighborhoods and backyards cats are adept at finding eggs and young birds. Cats are pets–but they’re also predators.
Many studies show that cats are damaging the songbird population. The DOW asks that people not allow their cats to roam free.

Except for what’s put in birdfeeders, people should not provide any type of food for wildlife. Providing food causes animals to bunch up in small areas which can make them vulnerable to diseases and predation. If animals become accustomed to being fed in one area they will act aggressively to protect the food source and that can pose a danger to humans and pets. Wild animals also should not eat pet food or human food.

People also need to know that not all newborn animals will survive.
“In the case of all wildlife, we have to understand that mortality is part of the natural cycle,” Gurzick said.

If you see a young animal, admire its beauty from a distance and then move on quietly. Talk to youngsters and others about this topic who might not be familiar with wildlife.

If you have any questions, call a local DOW office.
# # #
The Colorado Division of Wildlife is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation. The Division is funded through hunting and fishing license fees, federal grants and Colorado Lottery proceeds through Great Outdoors Colorado.