JEROME, Idaho — With winter approaching, Idaho Fish and Game (IFG) reminded Idahoans of the dangers of animal entanglement.
Animal entanglement happens more frequently in the winter months but can happen whenever an animal ventures onto yards or farms, according to a news release from IFG. Wildlife, like elk, deer or moose can be entangled in items around your property.
The release goes on to say that in the 2022-23 winter, there were several instances of animals becoming entangled, with many happening in the Wood River Valley area of south-central Idaho.
One of the most common entanglements were wire tomato cages. IFG warns that these wires become particularly troublesome because human intervention is required to remove them. The press release said that the Wood River Valley area also saw animals entangled in 5-gallon buckets, a plastic sled, Christmas lights and lead ropes/horse halters.
The release also states that in 2022, a bull elk died after becoming entangled in a yard swing south of Ketchum. Other common items that IFG has recently found wildlife entangled in include hammocks, lawn decorations, tennis court nets, Christmas wreaths, clotheslines, food containers, bailing twine and haystack tarps.
IFG suggests that property owners remove and securely store any potential entanglement items found on their property so wildlife cannot get to them.
Another suggestion from IFG includes draining decorative ponds in winter to prevent animals from falling into the ice and becoming trapped in the pond, particularly in the Wood RiverValley area.
IFG also suggests clearing out window wells. When winter snow gets deep, animals tend to walk near to the eaves of the house where snow piles are smaller, creating a potential hazard where the windows might be located. If you have an underground window well, the IFG press release suggested leaning 2"x4" planks diagonally across the opening. The goal of the planks is to encourage the animal to walk around, and not over the window well.
If wildlife is seen entangled or becomes trapped after falling through ice or into a window well, please call your local Idaho Fish and Game office.
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