Reconsider Feeding Wildlife During the Winter
Thursday, February 21st, 2019 -- 8:56 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -As cold weather continues in Wisconsin, state wildlife officials say people should consider the negative impacts of wildlife feeding and look to alternatives that provide long-term benefits to help wildlife through a cold and snowy winter season.Even a mild Wisconsin winter can cause concerns, but deer and other wildlife commonly seen in Wisconsin adapt both physically and behaviorally to even the harshest winter weather. Animals with adequate fat reserves and good winter cover are more likely to survive. However, some winters can overly stress individual animals, and this can reduce their chances of survival. Especially during hard winters with bitterly cold temperatures, concerned citizens may turn to feeding to help deer through the winter. While this may have some benefit to individual animals, feeding often occurs on a scale too small to affect the overall condition of the deer herd.
Feeding can also have a negative impact on deer, as it draws them out of winter range where having forage and cover nearby help deer conserve energy. Feeding also increases the risk of disease spread and severe digestive issues. As a reminder, deer feeding is illegal in some Wisconsin counties. Where it is legal, regulations restrict the location and amount of food that may be placed. Feeding deer is also prohibited when elk and bear are using the site.
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