Living with the Wildlife

Sheri recently pointed out a YouTube video that was filmed in Wyoming. A visiting snowmobiler was driving on a trail when he came upon a bull moose blocking his path. He began revving his engine and aggressively inching upon the moose in an attempt to force him off the trail. The agitated animal did not flee but charged the snowmobile. As the bull backed off after the first charge, the snowmobiler pulled a pistol and emptied the clip into the animal. He drove past the carcass proudly as he continued his ride.

Spending time in mountain country requires one to learn how to live with the wildlife. Everyone enjoys the site of a moose grazing in the river or a bear crossing a mountain meadow but the wildlife never remain in their designated sites. River otters burrow under porches, moose crop trees in yards until they are unrecognizable and grizzlies scour home sites for any food or garbage left out.

To avoid conflicts between yourself and the wildlife you study their basic habits. You can avoid actions that draw them into a confrontation.

Take bears for example; there are two ways to run into bear problems: baiting or surprising them. If you leave food out, bears will find it. Garbage, bird feeders, a dead fish or a full cooler will all entice bears into a visit. Walking on mountain trails or especially through thick vegetation presents the opportunity to surprise a grizzly. A surprised bear will likely charge to defend his space. Walking cautiously through the mountains and avoiding areas like willows where your vision is severely obstructed always makes sense.

Avoid encroaching on wildlife with young. All new mothers are aggressive. Any animal that seems upset by your presence is telling you to back off. Quickly retreat while not turning away.

Be cautious in the mountains and you will have a great visit in Yellowstone Country.

Island Park’s Giant Salt Lick

With spring’s arrival, I began contemplating summer. That led me to reflect on the number of big game animals that were struck by vehicles in Island Park last year. My instinct was to blame the rise on increasing traffic or the 65 mph speed limit. I asked a knowledgeable resident last week if he had any thoughts about the escalating wildlife collisions, he proffered that the use of salt solution to de-ice the highway attracts wildlife to the right of way.

I hadn’t considered the possibility that the brine was creating a danger to big game animals, but it made sense. Spraying the solution repeatedly on highway 20 over the winter turns the road through the caldera into a 30 mile long salt lick. If the moose, elk, deer and antelope are drawn to the highway, they are one wrong turn from a deadly encounter with a motor vehicle.

I Googled the topic of “road salt attracting wildlife” and found a list of state government sites (especially in New England) which indicate that they have been aware of this problem for some time. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services posts this information on their web site:

“Road salt in the environment affects the health of wildlife, including birds and mammals. Birds, the most sensitive wildlife species to salt, often mistake road salt crystals for seeds or grit. Consumption of very small amounts of salt can result in toxicosis and death within the bird population. Wildlife such as deer and moose are also attracted to the roadway to ingest salt crystals, which leads to higher incidents of vehicular accidents and wildlife kills. Particularly high concentrations of sodium and chloride can be found in snow melt, which many animals drink to relieve thirst and potentially can cause salt toxicity including dehydration, confusion and weakness, among other symptoms. Road salt can cause a decline among populations of salt sensitive species reducing natural diversity. Damage to vegetation can have significant impact on wildlife habitat by destroying food resources, shelter and breeding and nesting sites, and by creating a favorable environment for non-native invasive species.”

http://des.nh.gov/organization/divisions/water/wmb/was/salt-reduction-initiative/impacts.htm

It seems counterproductive to invite people to vacation in Island Park, attract large wildlife to the highway and hope that the visitors can survive the gauntlet.

Those in charge of snow removal on Highway 20 might want to reconsider their options. In the meantime, it would seem prudent to increase the number of “Beware of Wildlife” signs on the highway. There are numerous “Snowmobile Crossing” signs already in place. It would not require much time or money to add the additional folding signs to the posts.

Too Good To Be True

I moved to Pocatello, Idaho in 1977. It was my first summer in Idaho and I decided to try my hand at fishing. I hadn’t done any scouting but I knew of the American Falls dam and decided to fish below it. Armed with my trusty rod and a half dozen spinners, I headed for the Snake River.

I crossed the dam and headed down the North side of the Snake. Noticing a couple of inviting ponds, I decided to give them a try. Parking on the road and hopping a small fence, I walked into the ponds. With my first cast I had a strike and reeled in a 2 foot trout. I put it on a stringer and cast again. Wham, I scored a second strike and another nice trout. I was more than suspicious. I am neither that lucky nor that good of a fisherman. I released both fish unharmed and hiked out along the river.

It didn’t take long to come upon a sign notifying the public that I was in a State of Idaho fish hatchery.

I didn’t study the area before I began scouting and I made a horrible mistake.  Fortunately I did no damage before recognizing my blunder and I learned an important lesson.

Fast forward to a recent incident at Mack’s Inn. An out-of-state hunter spotted a magnificent bull moose in the headwaters of the Henry’s Fork. He possesses a moose tag and this one is just standing there, so close to the road. He is surprised that moose hunting in Idaho is so easy. It is his lucky day. He takes the shot and drops the moose. Unfortunately, there is no hunting of moose between North and South Big Springs Loop according to the regulations.

Residents and visitors alike have enjoyed seeing that bull wading in the river. I had admiringly posted video of that bull (Big Moose, No Tag) on my YouTube channel over one year ago. While I would love to fill a moose tag with such a bull, I was glad that the bull stayed within the safe zone where he could be enjoyed by so many.

The area was not safe from someone who didn’t bother to study the regulations however. A concerned resident called Fish and Game and the hunter was apprehended. The hunter has a court date, but that doesn’t help much. 

Yellowstone Country Safety * Moose Safety *

The female moose have their calves in tow. Do not approach them. Cow moose are very aggressive if they perceive any threats to their young.