browtine
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This came from ksl.com
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=2640092
The plight of thousands of starving deer and elk has triggered an emotional debate between people who want to feed them and state wildlife officials who say it's a bad idea.
The state did begin emergency feeding last weekend, so why can't concerned citizens? Experts worry that residents who see starving animals near their homes, will do the feeding in the wrong way, in the wrong place.
Everyone agrees it's one of the toughest winters in years. That's why a huge herd of about 200 elk took up residence right in the city of Heber. Volunteers have been putting out hay to feed them.
In Morgan County, hundreds of deer are wandering in populated places. They often crowd around ornamental shrubs and start chomping desperately. People who see them struggling often feel strongly that where the state isn't feeding them, homeowners should.
Buzz Burgener, a volunteer feeder, said, "Would you rather see them in your backyard alive? Or would you rather see them dead?"
Another volunteer feeder, Darlene Musselman, said, "We need to help them when they're in dire need, and right now they are really in dire need."
The Utah Division of Wildfire Resources has launched feeding programs in only a few places. They discourage people from doing it themselves.
Phil Douglass, with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, said, "It's not a matter of just throwing out food. It's a matter of transitioning these animals onto the artificial feed and being able to have a combination of natural feed as well. That's ultimately what we'd like to see."
The Division says picking the wrong place can create hazards by luring animals across highways. It can also lead to conflicts with homeowners who don't want them and dogs that often chase them.
It's a complex argument, and the division is having some trouble selling it this year.
Elk and deer are not the only big animals trying to find food. Moose are also getting hungry. A rancher began feeding one hungry bull, but now it won't leave.
Rancher Burliee Graham says a young moose has taken over the ranch, and no matter what they do, it keeps coming back.
Ranch foreman, Burliee Graham, said, "Sometimes he blocks me from getting to the horses. This morning he run me out right back through the gate behind us. He's kind of adopted the area here, so we're trying to work around him the best we can."
Despite the nuisance, Graham says he hopes they won't need wildlife officials to step in.
Later, Brandon
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=2640092
The plight of thousands of starving deer and elk has triggered an emotional debate between people who want to feed them and state wildlife officials who say it's a bad idea.
The state did begin emergency feeding last weekend, so why can't concerned citizens? Experts worry that residents who see starving animals near their homes, will do the feeding in the wrong way, in the wrong place.
Everyone agrees it's one of the toughest winters in years. That's why a huge herd of about 200 elk took up residence right in the city of Heber. Volunteers have been putting out hay to feed them.
In Morgan County, hundreds of deer are wandering in populated places. They often crowd around ornamental shrubs and start chomping desperately. People who see them struggling often feel strongly that where the state isn't feeding them, homeowners should.
Buzz Burgener, a volunteer feeder, said, "Would you rather see them in your backyard alive? Or would you rather see them dead?"
Another volunteer feeder, Darlene Musselman, said, "We need to help them when they're in dire need, and right now they are really in dire need."
The Utah Division of Wildfire Resources has launched feeding programs in only a few places. They discourage people from doing it themselves.
Phil Douglass, with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, said, "It's not a matter of just throwing out food. It's a matter of transitioning these animals onto the artificial feed and being able to have a combination of natural feed as well. That's ultimately what we'd like to see."
The Division says picking the wrong place can create hazards by luring animals across highways. It can also lead to conflicts with homeowners who don't want them and dogs that often chase them.
It's a complex argument, and the division is having some trouble selling it this year.
Elk and deer are not the only big animals trying to find food. Moose are also getting hungry. A rancher began feeding one hungry bull, but now it won't leave.
Rancher Burliee Graham says a young moose has taken over the ranch, and no matter what they do, it keeps coming back.
Ranch foreman, Burliee Graham, said, "Sometimes he blocks me from getting to the horses. This morning he run me out right back through the gate behind us. He's kind of adopted the area here, so we're trying to work around him the best we can."
Despite the nuisance, Graham says he hopes they won't need wildlife officials to step in.
Later, Brandon
