One disturbing experience is to see deer or elk struggling through the snow, looking for something to eat. But they can survive without human-provided meals, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Dave Brittell, assistant director for wildlife management, says: “We know the sight of hungry-looking deer in deep snow can be distressing. Some people feel compelled to feed them, but artificial feeding can actually do more harm than good.”
Feeding can draw animals into areas near roads, leading to collisions with vehicles. Feeding concentrates wildlife, making them more vulnerable to disease, predators and poaching. Backyard bird feeding can also spread disease if feeders are not kept clean.
If you want to help, keep dogs confined or on a leash to prevent the chase that unnecessarily burns valuable calories.
Yes, the agency has a winter-feeding program for elk through March at the Oak Creek Wildlife Area in south-central Washington, but it’s to prevent damage to private cropland.
On the other hand: Many residents went out of their way to keep the sugar water in hummingbird feeders from freezing (always keeping the feeder clean, of course).
Edmonds resident Randy Davison really went out of his way.
Davison returned to Edmonds from California after the holidays and read the column on winter hummingbirds. He e-mailed:
“We were supporting three of them as the cold snap started in December. Knowing we were headed out of town and would be unable to thaw out the feeders each cold day, I cobbled together (an) ungainly solution using a 6-foot length of pipe-heating wire.
“Ugly as it is, it worked like a charm and at least two of the three survived the cold and snow. They don’t seem at all put off by the clutter of tape and wire.
“I’m at best a casual backyard bird watcher but found myself gradually drawn into a sense of obligation to maintain the food source.”
Habitat Stewards: An intense six-week hands-on training for future Habitat Stewards, led by the National Wildlife Federation and state Department of Fish and Wildlife, starts at 7 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Frances Anderson Center, 700 Main St., Edmonds.
It includes two Saturday field trips and costs $20. Trained stewards will be asked to provide 30 hours of service to their communities. Stewards will mentor children and adults on how to restore, maintain and create wildlife habitat.
For information, call Laura Spehar at 425-672-2150. Register at www.reczone.org.
Go snowshoers: Snowshoe outings and ecology education continue at Stevens Pass and Snoqualmie Pass.
At Stevens Pass, guided beginners’ (age 6 and older) one-mile round-trip snowshoe walks are from noon to 2 p.m. weekends. Reservations are through the Skykomish Ranger District (360-677-2414) Wednesday through Friday. Meet at the USFS Guard Station at Stevens Pass.
The Sultan Shuttle runs from Sultan’s Mountain View Chevron to the pass, more than 40 miles away. Tickets are $6-10 and are available by calling 206-812-4510; they also can be bought at the Chevron.
Check www.stevenspass.com for fees and schedules.
Brant bounce back: More than 16,000 brant have been counted in Fidalgo, Padilla and Samish bays. That’s the highest total of the small geese seen in those areas since 1995 when 17,000 were counted, up from about 6,100 in 2007 and 9,500 in 2008.
More than avalanches: As the Washington Trails Association reminds us, avalanches aren’t the only danger lurking in snow country.
A cornice is a mass of snow deposited by the wind, often overhanging, usually found near a sharp terrain break such as a ridge or cliff. Cornices can break off unexpectedly and should be approached with caution.
Getting stuck in a tree well (the hollow under snow at the base of a tree) is a surprisingly common cause of injuries and fatalities.
Snow-covered streams and lakes should be approached and crossed with caution. A dip in a cold creek can lead to hypothermia.
Be careful out there.
Columnist Sharon Wootton can be reached at 360-468-3964 or www.songandword.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
