Feeding wildlife; lions, tigers, and bears

fine buck: chest wound, June, 2010

Southern Ontario is habitat to raccoons, striped skunks, red foxes, bats, birds, coyotes, white-tailed deer. Once you get to central and northern Ontario you can add in moose, wolf and black bear.

Many issues arise from mixing people with wild animals. Rabies is one of the biggies. I watched an MNR rabies innoculation and banding in Niagara-on-the-lake. It was interesting.

Many discussions are generated around deer feeding, for example. The Ministry of Natural Resources tells us not to feed wildlife at all.

• population density creates risks
• high density spreads disease 
• high density of animal populations can destroy natural habitat
• critters become dependent upon artificial food
• feeding animals near roads can be dangerous
• feeding animals near each other can lead to agression
• wild animals shouldn't be habituated towards people
• feeding particular animals attracts unwanted ones



Signage near Lake Superior

• you can piss off your neighbours

Now, I can understand caution if you are in the city, or a large town. We live on 7 acres, and our worst pest is a stray cat! True.

No problem feeding these deer!

We compost. So far Butch, our pet name for our raccoons, used to knock to the top off of the composter. This is a good reason not to feed wildlife! Raccoons are just a pain. So far, knock on wood, Butch hasn't followed us from Muskoka (that we know of!). I learned my lesson and used to bring in the feeders at night. They didn't appreciate the time change, though. I captured a shot this day

'Butch' stealing food

There are points made about feeding, applicable to both birds and mammals:

• Once you begin feeding them, you must continue
• Use a good, balanced feed (we buy ours from Dodds & Erwin, who use an MNR recipe) I can't find it on-line, but my supplier has it. 
• You need not feed deer until deep winter when buds are scarce and grass buried. Stop feeding birds in summer.
• Avoid over feeding.

Now, some mild winters you need not feed at all. Other seasons, the food is so scarce we risk a severe dent in the populations. In these situations, wildlife are dangerous, too.

Mama doe with shoulder wound

I remember one early spring (June, 2009) when the bears were hot to trot, but it wasn't warm enough for the berries and vegetation for them to eat. This is when they managed to get into bird feeders. We were told to hide our feeders, but many did not. I remember in Bala, cottage country, some dude feeding the raccoons in town and then shooting a bear that had been into his raccoon feed. Seriously. Bears, like raccoons, eat ANYTHING! I spotted bear scat in our forest the other day. Oh my.

Some discussion is on about whether individuals should feed deer, in particular. We do, because we know that they graze all around the property and our forest, eating grass, nibbling everything they find tasty. They seem to balance their intake naturally. We feed enough for the morning.

My friend, Nancy, has erected 6' high fencing. She has had twin fawns.
Not personally, I mean, but they visit her regularly.

As well as the other Muskoka beasts: bears, birds, bees.


Her fencing intrigues me.

Especially since Bambi just made his appearance at the feeder today.

Bambi

He is a fine one, taller than the ladies.
I was so surprised, seeing his antlers. 

Mind you they don't sit in the feeder like some of our visitors.

Do you think our veggie garden fence is OK?!