Wildlife are wandering early due to tough early start to winter

NORTH DAKOTA — Folks throughout the state could be receiving extra frequent visits from deer and pheasants.

These wild animals have been reported to be coming proper as much as homes over the vacation weekend. Occasionally, they’re even changing into daring sufficient to stroll proper as much as grain bins.

North Dakota Recreation and Fish Division outreach biologist Doug Leier says final week’s freezing temperatures, and the robust December climate basically, has taken wildlife out of their routines.

“They mainly must do no matter they’ll to outlive, and typically it means taking completely different avenues than what they’d usually do,” Leier mentioned.

Based on Leier, these behaviors will not be irregular, however usually present up a lot later within the winter when wild animals get nearer to people than common, on the lookout for meals.

However Leier additionally says extra wildlife within the state die from the freezing temperatures than hunger. As tempting as it might be to provide these animals meals, Leier says it does extra hurt than good.

“Which may be pulling the deer or the pheasants out of the woody cowl, out of the shelter belt, out of the bushes and get them uncovered to the colder temperatures,” Leier mentioned.

Leier additionally says leaving meals out for deer usually finally ends up benefiting the stronger animals within the pack somewhat than the weak.