Living with Wildlife, Wildlife Control, and Conflicts with Wildlife
Tips for Living with and Dealing with Wildlife
We all love wildlife, but when wild animals are in the wrong place at the wrong time—think bears at your birdfeeder, skunks under your porch, or deer in the garden—you need a strategy. When wildlife/human conflicts occur, it's important to remember that there are no “cookbook recipe” solutions. Each wildlife problem is unique and you need to have some understanding of the animal and the available control methods before beginning any control strategy.
To prevent human/wildlife conflicts, it's important to have an understanding of the wildlife that you may be dealing with. Remember that basic wildlife requirements are food, cover and space. The fundamental first step in controlling a wildlife problem is to keep these wildlife requirements in mind and make prudent modifications in your own behavior.
Wildlifehelp.org
Wildlifehelp.org is a great resource for helping people find the perfect solution to their human/ wildlife conflict
USDA Wildlife Services
If you need technical assistance or help with a wildlife conflict in New Hampshire, call USDA Wildlife Services at (603) 223-6832
Before Removing an Animal
- How many animals are you dealing with?
- multiple removals can be costly and time consuming
- Is your target animal feeding young?
- Consider delaying until young are weaned and mobile
- Are you likely to capture a non- target animal?
- the accidental capture of a skunk or domestic pet could cause problems
- Will you be dealing with sick or injured animals?
- This could result in unhealthy exposures or injuries
- Do you have a plan for releasing a cage trapped animal?
- This can be challenging. Read cage trap tips here.
- Will you be releasing or euthanizing the animal?
- Make sure you have landowner permission to release an animal, and be properly skilled and equipped to dispatch humanley.