Kids Page

Where the Wild Things Roam

Humans are fascinated by seeing wildlife, and the closer the better.  Many of the same creatures that roam the woods and live in unpopulated, wild areas will also thrive in cities and suburbs— right in our own backyards!  Wild encounters give us valuable recreational and educational experiences, and add something special to our lives.

 

Seeing wild animals outside the kitchen window can be fun and exciting—up until the white-tailed deer start munching on the shrubbery, rabbits nibble on the garden plants, and raccoons raid the trash can.  When problems like these arise, wild animals are not longer welcomed guests, but intruders.

 

These wild animals are only doing what they do best, trying to survive.  They are taking advantage of the available food people have provided for them in the form of a garden or trash.  They may also find a new home in places that are not always good for the homeowner.  Making responsible, realistic choices when dealing with wild animals is important so humans can learn to live as neighbors to wildlife.  Our goal should be to keep the “wild” in wildlife!

 

 

Keep the “Wild” in Wildlife Quiz

 

How much do you know about living with wildlife?  Circle the correct letter:

 

1. You discover a nest of young rabbits in your yard.  You don’t see a parent around anywhere

A. Take them inside and feed them warm milk from an eye-dropper.

B. Leave them alone.

C. Take them to a wildlife rehabilitator.

 

2. While picnicking beside a city park pond, some ducks come up to you looking for a handout

A. Give them a little snack.

B. Call the park ranger.

C. Ignore them until they go away.

 

3. You see a raccoon climbing into your trash can at night.

A. Yell at it to scare it away.

B. Make your trash can “raccoon proof”.

C. Put pet food or leftovers out for it to eat instead of the trash.

 

4. You discover bats hanging in your attic.

A. Wait until they leave in the evening and block their entryway.

B. Call a pest exterminator.

C. Catch them with a butterfly net and release them outside.

 

 

HUNTER EDUCATION COURSES

 

All first time hunters must pass a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license.

 

There are two types of classes that are offered for students wanting to take hunter education.  A traditional instructor led class will be held several times during a week and total course hours will range from 8 to 12 hours.  This type of class is recommended for students with little knowledge or exposure to firearms or hunting.  This class will end with the talking of a 100 question multiple-choice test and requires a score of 80% to pass.

 

The other type of class is the home-study course.  This allows students to work through the hunter education booklet at their own pace and convenience.  Students are required to turn in completed coursework at the one-day class that typically lasts three to four hours.  This course allows students to receive hands on training and review with ammunition, firearms, safe gun handling, and other hunting safety issues.  The course will end with the taking of the same type test and also requires an 80% to pass.

 

We are often asked by parents.  “Do I have to stay with my child during the classes?”  We always recommend that the parents stay with their children during classes.  It is mandatory that an adult must accompany a hunter 15 years or younger when in the field hunting, so that bond can start at the classes.  Also even if parents have been hunting for a while they can still learn new information or the classes can remind them to change some bad habits that could have developed over the years.

 

For more information on classes that are being offered, log onto: www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/hunting/huntered/default.htm.  Or you can contact the ODNR Division of Wildlife at 1-800-Wildlife.

 

 

The answers are: 

1. B—Leave them alone.  Wild animals are very devoted parents and rarely abandon their young.  In most cases, the animal parents are hidden nearby so they won’t draw the attention of a predator.  And it is not true that parents of a young wild animal will reject it if it has been touched by humans.

2. C—ignore them until they go away.  You should never feed any wild animal, except for songbirds.  Feeding ducks and many other wild animals can make them sick or harm them in other ways.

3. B—Make your trash can “raccoon proof”.  Trash cans offer an easy meal for raccoons and other animals.  Make sure it has a secure lid.

4. A—Wait until they leave in the evening and block their entryway.  Bats make great neighbors because they eat pesky insects like mosquitoes.  But they sometimes make a home in attics.  Once blocked from entering your attic, they will easily find a new place to live.