Winter provides great opportunities to view Idaho wildlife against snow covered hillsides. But it is very important to enjoy the view from a distance. Winter can be very stressful for wildlife, especially in winters like this when snow is deep and temperatures are cold.

Idaho Department of Fish and Game offers a few tips for helping wildlife make it through winter:

• Drive slowly, especially at night. Elk and deer are congregating in lowlands, often along roadways. Be on the lookout and give them space.

• Don’t ski or trek, or ride a snowmobile on any hillside that has animal tracks or visible wildlife. Your presence will increase stress on wildlife.

• Keep your dogs on a leash.

• Please don’t feed wildlife, you could make them sick or even kill them. You can also inadvertently bait them away from traditional feeding sites and cause problems for neighbors.

• If your home is located in or near big game winter range, deer and elk will often eat ornamental shrubs. The plants will grow back.

• Mountain lions follow prey and if you have prey (deer and elk) in your neighborhood, you may have predators nearby too. Please be aware.

Fish and Game is closely monitoring wildlife and how they are faring throughout the state, and the agency has started winter feeding operations at several locations across Southern Idaho.

Fish and Game looks to natural forage to sustain big game populations, but when emergency conditions exist, winter feeding becomes an option. Three main conditions that can trigger winter feeding are:

• Private property damage

• Public safety concerns

• Excessively harsh winter conditions that may result in significant losses to adult animals

Visit the Idaho Fish and Game website for more information about criteria for winter feeding and for weekly updates on conditions and efforts throughout the state https://idfg.idaho.gov/

We all care about wildlife and several people have contacted Fish and Game and asked about contributing money to assist with winter feeding. If you would like to help, you can donate to Idaho Fish and Game’s “Winter Feeding” account if you choose.

Simply send a check made out to: Idaho Fish and Game Winterfeed

Mail it to: Idaho Fish and Game, Attn: Administration, 600 S. Walnut, P.O. Box 25, Boise, ID 83707

All received checks will be deposited into the winter feed account and a letter from the department will be sent in acknowledgement of the donation to the address on the check.

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Mike Demick is a conservation information supervisor employed by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.