Contacting a Division of Wildlife Officer

Guidelines for Dealing with Wildlife in Our Neighborhood

Dear Homeowner,

My name is Matt Yamashita and I am the local District Wildlife Manager. I wanted to address some recent wildlife issues in your neighborhood that have concerned fellow homeowners and the Colorado Division of Wildlife. In addition, I wanted to pass along information on how to contact a wildlife officer when problems arise.

The Division of Wildlife has six officers covering El Paso and Teller Counties. Each officer is responsible for managing the local wildlife, public education, habitat improvement, and law enforcement. Every year as spring and summer approach, our office receives calls revolving around a few key issues. I wanted you to know three of the main issues that are occurring in your neighborhood and some simple steps you can take to help prevent further problems.

1. feeding wildlife: Feeding wildlife is the root of many of the problems we see. It is illegal to feed deer, bears, foxes, and coyotes. Feeding wildlife is illegal for several reasons:
• Increases potential for human conflict or injury
• Creates unnatural concentrations of wildlife
• Puts the animal at greater risk of being injured by pets or cars
• Certain animals have complex digestive systems that cannot properly break down the feed people provide.
• Become habituated to humans and human activity.
• Disrupts their natural seasonal movement patterns.
• Increased numbers of wildlife in the city attracts the predators who feed on them

All of these measures require community wide involvement. the problems will only be resolved if everyone takes action!
Sincerely, Matt Yamashita

Bears and Mountain Lions

2. bears: Bears have become too common in city limits. A major reason for this is due to the presence of attractants (garbage, birdfeeders, pet food, mulch/compost, bbq grills, etc) in homeowner’s yards. The best way to discourage them from being in the area is to remove all bear attractants between the months of April through November, when bears are active. Keep bbq grills clean, garbage locked up till trash day, and bring in bird feeders.

3. mountain lions: Mountain lion sightings have also been a concern. As the number of deer in the area increases, mountain lions are likely to follow their primary food source into the neighborhood. don’t feed the deer. Educate yourself on mountain lion biology to better understand how they act and why they act that way. The best defense is a good offense!

Who Do I Call?

I also wanted to include a list of some situations that may arise and who you should contact in each case.

Who do I call?

wildlife feeding:
- If you know someone who is feeding deer, bears, coyotes, foxes
(contact DOW office)

bears:
- Bear in neighborhood but no immediate threat to people
(contact DOW office)

- Bear getting into garbage, feeders, sheds, etc.
(contact DOW office)

- Bear in house
(During weekday/normal business hours – contact DOW office)
(During weekend/after business hours – contact state patrol)

- Person being attacked/been attacked : First CALL 911
(During weekday/normal business hours – contact DOW office)
(During weekend/after business hours – contact state patrol)

mountain lions:
- Lion sighting/tracks/deer killed by lion
(contact DOW office)

- Lion attacked pet/animals
(contact DOW office)

- Lion near school: get children to shelter
(During weekday/normal business hours – contact DOW office)
(During weekend/after business hours – contact state patrol)

- Person being attacked/been attacked: First CALL 911
(During weekday/normal business hours – contact DOW office)
(During weekend/after business hours – contact state patrol)

**For further information regarding wildlife or for help with nuisance issues (skunks, foxes, coyotes, fawns, etc) call the Division of Wildlife office.

Colorado Division of Wildlife Colorado State Patrol
4255 Sinton Rd. (719) 544-2424
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
(719) 227-5200