Now that summer is in full swing, wild animals are raising young, with many leaving dens and burrows. As a conservation agent, I regularly get calls regarding orphaned and nuisance wildlife, so here are some tips for the most common wildlife-woes.
First, remember that witnessing young wildlife, even around a residence, doesn't mean the animal has been abandoned. In most situations, the mother will be back for its young. Second, leave wildlife alone, and do not move or take the animal inside - let's keep wild things wild. Third, if there are problems with wildlife under a house or building, the best option is to make sure the animal is not under the building and secure the entry location. Finally, do not continue to feed wildlife who are causing problems. Pet food and table scraps must be put in a secure location to not attract unwanted pests.
Please remember that rehabbing or taking care of young wildlife is almost always a bad idea, and cannot be done legally in Missouri without special training and certifications.
If these options have been tried and found ineffective, the Wildlife Code of Missouri allows landowners and lessees to dispose of some wildlife species by legal methods, such as trapping, but only on property that they own or control, and an agent of the department must be notified within 24 hours. Traps may be purchased at many sporting good or hardware stores. Be sure to consult the Wildlife Code for applicable rules regarding trapping and lethal methods of nuisance wildlife control.
For more tips on wildlife damage control visit our website at mdc.mo.gov or call your local MDC office. To report a Wildlife Code or Conservation Area violation, please call me at 573-864-9814.