LAKEPORT?Wildlife is common throughout Lake County. Local residents have gotten accustomed to seeing deer, possums, raccoons and skunks wander onto their property. In fact, many people feed wildlife which is not only illegal but part of the problem.
During Thursday”s evening monthly meeting of the Lake County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Council Committee meeting, the subject of what to do with injured or dead wildlife that wander onto private property came up. Deer are often struck by autos and then wander into resident”s backyards or front lawns and die. Years ago, when Lake County was a rural ranching community, the rancher would dispatch the wounded animal and bury in the nearby woods. The demographics of the county have changed dramatically over the years. Today, many of the county residents are retired and have moved here from the large metropolitan areas where there was little wildlife. These people are often unable to cope with an injured deer or raccoon.
Department of Fish and Game (DFG) game warden Lt. Loren Freeman told the advisory committee that since wildlife rehabilitator, Sandie Elliott of Spirit Wild retired there is no one in the county to respond to calls for injured birds and other small wildlife. He also said there is no one presently authorized to handle large animals such as deer.
According to Freeman, if a deer is hit on a road by a vehicle and staggers onto someone”s property and dies that animal now becomes the responsibility of the property owner. That same applies to all wildlife. Freeman said once the animal is dead it is the sole responsibility of the landowner to get rid of the carcass. Freeman said that the Lake County Animal Control doesn”t respond to calls about wildlife. However, if the deer or other animal is injured and a threat to people then the DFG will respond, but that it may take some time because the wardens are often busy with other calls. Freeman said for wildlife issues to call the DFG dispatch at (916) 358-1300. The dispatcher will notify the nearest game warden.
If the animal is dead on private property there are several private individuals that will, for a fee, pick up and dispose of the carcass. They are H. M. Harford (707) 928-5658, Al Kuck (707) 762-7688 and Bill Bond (707) 350-4352. If the animal is on a county road call Public Works at (707) 263-2341. For dead animals on state highways call Cal Trans at 707) 263-6848.
Small dead animals such as possums and raccoons can be brought to the Lake County Animal Control at 4949 Hilbush Ave., Lakeport. Animals have to weigh less than 100 pounds and skunks are not accepted. There is a fee to dispose of the animal.
As for injured animals, Freeman says that in most cases an animal that is severely injured will die. The DFG can give permission for the individual to euthanize the animal, however the DFG rarely gives permission to shoot the animal because it”s illegal to discharge a firearm within 150 yards of a residence.
Skunks, raccoons and possums are common throughout Lake County and they often take up residence under homes or in sheds. These are classed as “nuisance” animals and there is a federal trapper that will respond if the animal is a threat to life or property. The trapper will put out traps but it”s the homeowner”s responsibility to monitor and bait the traps. Call (707) 263-0217 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri. Freeman said that these animals are always euthanized and never released back into the wild
Freeman said one problem is that people put out traps for feral cats and the skunks and raccoons get in the traps. “Much of the problem with skunks and other wild animals can be solved by placing the traps on an elevated surface of at least 12 inches. The cats will come to the baited traps but the skunks and other critters won”t. The same applies to feeding house cats outdoors. You should always place the food on a bench or picnic table so the skunks won”t find it.” Freeman said.
According to Freeman, if you”re trying to trap a cat and a skunk or possum gets into the trap then that animal becomes your responsibility. He also said that you”re not allowed to release skunks, raccoons or possums in other areas.
Injured birds are another common problem. When Sandie Elliott operated Spirit Wild and she would pick up injured birds and if possible, rehabilitate them. Freeman said that since that service is no longer available, the public is now being advised to allow the bird to die.
As one Wildlife Advisory Committee member said, “The county has to come up with a viable plan to treat and dispose of injured and dead wildlife. An elderly retired person just isn”t physically able to handle a dead 150-pound deer.”
