State Wildlife Experts Ask Wisconsin Residents to Consider Negative Impacts of Feeding Wild Animals
Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 -- 9:40 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -State wildlife experts are asking Wisconsin residents and landowners to consider the negative impacts of feeding wild animals, including deer.The Department of Natural Resources says except for a few far northern counties, Wisconsin's deer herd appears to be faring well so far this winter, as relatively mild temperatures and only moderate snow levels have enabled them to move freely throughout most areas of the state. DNR Biologist Tim Marien says feeding deer can draw them out of wintering habitats that would have had forage and cover to help them conserve energy, while also increasing the risk of disease transmission, such as chronic wasting disease. He adds that deer also need to reserve energy by moving less, traveling the minimum distance necessary to feed until spring. Finding cover that protects them from wind, like cattail marshes, conifer tree stands or other types of cover can help deer survive through winter.
Landowners can help provide the necessary habitat to support wildlife throughout the winter in a variety of ways. Cutting trees and providing browse (leaves, twigs, and buds of woody plants) is a more natural food source than feeding deer and can also provide better habitat in the long run. Maintaining nutritious natural food sources like oak, aspen and crabapple provides summer and fall food, while evergreen tree stands create a winter food source and shelter. Good habitat fulfills the needs of many deer, rather than a few individuals.
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