Recent weather impacts deer, moose and elk 03/18/11
Albertans reminded to be safe on the road and in their backyards
Edmonton... Alberta has been experiencing record-breaking snowfall and alternating warm and cold weather in areas of the province. Deer, moose and elk may be travelling on roads to avoid the deep, packed snow. Wildlife may also forage on stored grain or in people’s backyards for easy food sources.
Roads not only provide easy travel, they also lead to animals foraging on roadside vegetation or being attracted to salt. Wildlife tends to be more active during dawn and dusk, especially deer, elk and moose. Winter driving visibility may be reduced and traffic volume can be high during these low-light periods. Over the past five years, approximately one-third of the collisions involving animals occurred between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
To reduce the chance of a collision with wildlife:
- Pay attention to all wildlife warning signs and drive accordingly.
- Drive at a speed appropriate to road conditions.
- Reduce speed at night, especially on unfamiliar rural roads lined with trees or near water.
- Scan the road and ditches for animals, especially when travelling at dawn or dusk.
- Slow down in a curve and when reaching the crest of a hill.
- Use high beams when possible. Deer’s eyes will glow when they catch light.
- Remember, at night, lights from oncoming traffic can make it difficult to see animals on the road.
- Improve visibility by keeping your vehicle's windshield and headlights clean.
A vehicle’s headlights often confuse deer, moose and elk resulting in unpredictable behaviour, sometimes resulting in the animal moving into traffic. Always reduce your speed as you approach wildlife. For information about traffic safety, please contact the Office of Traffic Safety at 780-422-8839 or visit www.saferoads.com.
Agricultural producers may have problems with deer, moose or elk eating stored hay and livestock feed. Steps to take to reduce or eliminate this problem include the following:
- Move bales from the field to a feed yard or protected storage area.
- Use straw bales as a protective barrier for feed stores.
- Stack bales two tiers high so that fencing can be more effective.
- Store grain only in storage bins.
- Regularly monitor stored feed to ensure deterrence measures are working
For information on compensation programs, contact Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, toll-free, 1-877-899-237 or visit www.afsc.ca.
Wild animals can be dangerous and are capable of inflicting serious injury.
- Never approach or chase wild animals.
- Do not allow dogs to chase animals.
- Do not feed wild animals.
For assistance in prevention of damage to hay and feed by wildlife, contact your local Fish and Wildlife office by phoning, toll-free, 310-0000. If the presence of wildlife is a safety concern, immediately contact your local Fish and Wildlife office or, if after hours, phone the Report A Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800. |
