The do’s and don’ts of feeding and interacting with West Virginia’s wildlife.
This story was originally published in the February 2020 issue of Wonderful West Virginia. To subscribe, visit wonderfulwv.com.
written by Jess Walker
photographed by Curt Helmick Photography
The biting chill of a West Virginia winter hits everyone hard, humans and critters alike. Spotting a skinny deer wandering amongst the bare tree trunks or a lone squirrel scavenging for nuts can inspire animal lovers to take action. They might set out corn for deer, break bread for birds, or even, as one couple did, scatter sunflower seeds for groundhogs.
But preparing a meal for wildlife can have fatal repercussions. “Most people who feed wildlife think they’re doing good,” says Wildlife Biologist Jim Crum. “It’s misplaced kindness. They don’t think about some of the consequences.” Here are some of the do’s and don’ts when it comes to wildlife this winter.
Don’t place feed out for any critter, no matter how cute.
“Feeding wildlife is not a good idea, period,” Crum says. First, it can upset their stomachs. Deer’s gut bacteria naturally help them adjust to gradual changes in diet, from leafy plants in the summer to more woody material come autumn. Introducing a different food source, especially in the dead of winter, can disrupt this digestion. For us humans, the worst side effect we might have from loading our Thanksgiving plates with carbohydrates like biscuits, corn, and mashed potatoes is having to loosen our sweatpants to watch football. When deer suddenly consume a substantial amount of readily digestible carbs—from, say, a pile of corn—it can lead to a condition called acidosis and even death.
Then, there’s the potential for pathogens. “When you feed, you end up mixing animals that normally don’t associate with one another,” Crum says. “You could transfer pathogens between species that are usually held apart by Mother Nature so they don’t cross paths.” You may intend for only cute songbirds to visit your feeder but, to wildlife, food is food. Nothing is stopping a squirrel or raccoon from sticking its hands in the same dish to grab a quick, convenient snack, or even a deer from taking a bite. A bird that’s carrying an illness might also spread its germs onto the food and later infect a susceptible feathered fellow, one who otherwise would not have been exposed.
Bottom: white-tailed deer
Even if they don’t get sick, more animals heading toward the artificial buffet table can lead to a higher population in a single location. “Feeding animals may not directly impact them, but it will indirectly impact them because you’re congregating them in one area,” Crum says. When the human-provided food runs out, the higher population may deplete natural food sources more quickly than normal. High-density deer populations can also raise concerns like vehicle accidents and property damage, especially in urban areas.
Do obey the laws.
Setting out food for wildlife might not only be a bad idea. It might be illegal.
Here’s some of what’s on the books. Baiting bears is illegal for hunters statewide. Some eastern counties—Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, and Morgan—have also enacted laws against baiting deer in order to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease; this neurological condition found in deer is believed to be swapped through bodily fluids such as saliva. In fact, according to the Division of Natural Resources’s hunting and trapping regulations, it’s illegal for hunters to bait or feed any wildlife on public lands from September through December and during spring gobbler seasons.
The red tape may come as a shock for camo-clad folks accustomed to setting out piles of apples or corn to attract their prey, but it’s all in an effort to maintain the health of animals. “Say I’m putting out corn for deer and it gets a little moldy. Then a turkey comes by,” Crum says. He explains the mold on corn can produce a toxic substance called aflatoxin. A turkey who nibbles from the bait has lower tolerance for these toxins than a deer, and therefore it will succumb more quickly.
Top right: American goldfinch
Bottom: Eastern bluebird
Even well-meaning non-hunters should be wary. Feeding wildlife in state parks is illegal, and feeding bears anywhere in the state carries a hefty fine. A commonly heard phrase is, “A fed bear is a dead bear.” Bears who learn that people or their houses have easy picnic pickings can lose their fear of humans. These bears are the ones who make news reports, roaming through neighborhoods and potentially causing property damage or personal injury. Watching these elusive creatures wander through backyard pools and porches seems entertaining, but they may ultimately need to be put down. Even when you’re hiking or camping, do your part to protect bears and yourself by keeping food out of reach and away from your campsite.
Don’t lay the seeds for invasive plant species.
Feeding and baiting isn’t only harmful to animals—it’s a detriment to plant life, too. “If it’s not really clean corn or clean seed, you can actually start growing very invasive plants,” Crum says.
Chances are the wildlife feed you’re using wasn’t grown in West Virginia. That corn might have traveled from the Midwest. That bird seed might have come from across the globe. And, unlike the chow you buy for your beloved canine, feline, or even livestock, commercially sold wildlife feed is not necessarily regulated and inspected. Not only might the feed contain health-related contaminants but, once it’s scattered in your yard, it may only be a matter of time before weeds lurking within the feed sprout.
In any case, throwing down corn and seed is only a quick fix—one that can have detrimental effects on the state’s flora and fauna. A more lasting solution is to work with nature. “The best way to help feed wildlife is to try to improve their habitat,” Crum says. If you really must lend a hand in feeding cute critters, turn your backyard into a natural oasis by growing native plants and keeping your soil healthy. Crum recommends dogwood trees as an option for birds. He says there’s nothing like watching them hop to the end of a branch to pluck a berry. It’s also safer than a feeder placed near a window, since birds might hit the house and harm themselves.
Do appreciate nature from a distance.
The most important piece of advice for encountering any wildlife is to treat it with respect. A black bear lumbering through the forest isn’t as cuddly as a stuffed teddy bear, and a raccoon moseying around the woodshed isn’t as mild-mannered as portrayed on television. “Keep your distance and realize they are not the same as what you see on Animal Planet or Disney,” Crum says. Animals do bite if provoked or threatened. They also aren’t meant to be pets, he adds, and folks can’t take wildlife illegally.