Elk, deer, and moose can easily become entangled in items found around farms and residences

Over the last week, Fish and Game have received four reports of elk in the Wood River Valley becoming entangled in items found in residents’ yards, especially garden equipment. Since February 1, elk have become entangled in wire tomato cages, a 5-gallon plastic bucket and a sled and rope. Locations vary from Bellevue, Hailey, and north into the areas of Ohio Gulch and East Fork.

Over the past few years, wildlife has become entangled in a wide range of objects, such as swing sets, hammocks, a dream catcher lawn decoration, tomato cages, a tennis court net, Christmas lights, Christmas wreaths, clotheslines, barbed wire, bailing twine, horse halter and lead rope, and the bottom of a bird feeder.

Residents that live near wildlife, especially elk, deer, and moose, should inspect their yards, fences, pastures, and all other parts of their property for items that could entangle wildlife, and if found, immediately remove them and securely store them in an area that wildlife cannot access.

Tomato cages are particularly troublesome for deer, elk, and even moose because they will stick their heads into the wire cage to get at garden vegetation left from the previous year’s garden.

READ THE FULL STORY 

Yew continues to be found in Blaine County despite ordinances that prohibit the plant in many parts of the county.

Despite a 2016 Blaine County ordinance restricting the planting of noxious plants, including exotic yew, two elk calves were found dead on Friday, February 3, 2023, after eating the toxic plant in the Warm Springs area of Ketchum.

Fish and Game conservation officers who investigated the report of dead elk confirmed the presence of yew in the elk but have yet to find the specific location of the plant or plants that were ingested.

Several plant species are toxic to wildlife and pets, especially those in the yew family.

Yew is an evergreen tree commonly used in ornamental plantings or landscaping that contains highly poisonous chemicals known as alkaloid taxines. Two species of yew, Japanese and European, are particularly toxic.

Residents need to inspect the landscaping around their homes and remove all yew plants in an effort to keep wildlife and pets safe, especially during winter months when wildlife moves down into historic winter range, now occupied by community neighborhoods and private residences.

Homeowners should completely remove any yew from their yards. If removal is not possible until spring, the bushes should be securely fenced so that wildlife cannot get access to the plants, or the plants should be tightly wrapped with burlap.

According to Regional Wildlife Manager Mike McDonald, homeowners, no matter where they live, need to be aware of the types of vegetation they purchase and plant on their properties. “We continue to see the end result of wildlife dying from eating ornamental yew that is planted around homes. It’s surprising how small an amount of yew it takes to kill an elk, deer or moose, which are all species that residents can see throughout many Idaho communities.”

READ FULL STORY