Daily Archives: May 5, 2014

Doting on Young Wildlife can be Deadly

Young animals may appear alone, but that doesn’t mean they’re abandoned

Stumbling upon a seemingly-abandoned nest of young cottontails may have you thinking it’s time to make a trip to the store for a cardboard box and some carrots, but this act of kindness may actual kill the very wildlife you’re trying to “save.” Every year, well-intentioned people attempt to “rescue” what they assume to be neglected young, often with deadly consequences. In almost all cases of young wildlife found alone in the wild, the mother is typically feeding nearby, keeping a distant eye on her offspring. When concerned individuals decide to retrieve these young animals and care for them, they are unintentionally giving the young a premature death sentence.

The notion that a young animal found in the wild will die if not given care is wrong. Not only are most young found in the wild not abandoned, picking them up is against the law. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have regulations against such activity that can result in a fine up to $1,000 or more. In addition to legal repercussions, wild animals can pose a number of health risks, including diseases such as distemper, rabies, Lyme disease, roundworms, tapeworms, mites, tularemia and more.

Additionally, if a “rescued” animal were to bite someone, it must be put to death and tested for diseases. Even if they don’t bite, the young usually fail to survive in captivity because most people are not equipped to handle wild animals, especially as they mature. On the off chance the animal does survive in captivity, it typically loses instincts that allow it to survive in the wild.

It is important to remember that although young wildlife may be cute, they belong in the wild. Wild animals cannot legally be inoculated by veterinarians, and few people really know how to care for them.

If you should see a young animal in the wild this spring or summer, observe at a distance and consider yourself lucky. But remember, just because they are temporarily alone, that doesn’t mean they are abandoned.

If you really want to help, leave young in the wild where they were born and belong.

If you find an injured animal, a list of licensed rehabilitators can be found at www.ksoutdoors.com, by clicking “Services/Rehabilitation.”

Women’s Beginner Shooting Clinic May 31

Participants will get to shoot shotguns, handguns, bows, and more during this one-day clinic

You don’t have to own a gun or even know how to properly load one to attend the upcoming Shooting Skills for Women event on May 31. In fact, the less you know, the better. Designed for women who are interested in the shooting sports with little to no experience, this one-day event will provide participants with the opportunity to shoot shotguns; handguns; small caliber, big bore, and black powder rifles; and archery equipment. No experience is required, and all guns and equipment will be provided.

The event is sponsored by the Kansas Bowhunters Association, in conjunction with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Lil’ Toledo Lodge, and the Kansas Wildlife Officers Association. Participants can learn the ins and outs of shooting in a controlled, low-pressure atmosphere with women who share a similar interest.

This annual event will once again be held at Lil’ Toledo Lodge, 10600 170th Rd, Chanute. Participants must be 18 or older to attend and must pre-register. The event will be open to the first 35 women to register and will cost $45.00 to attend. Participants will enjoy lunch and refreshments courtesy of the Kansas Bowhunters Association, as well as a prize drawing.

For more information, or to sign up for this event, contact Stacy Hageman at (620) 672-5911.

The Secret to Painlessly Removing Ticks

It can start with pain, itching, redness and swelling in the area of the skin, and in more pronounced cases, it can include fever, headache, fatigue, and/or a skin rash. The culprit is a tick bite, and if left untreated, it can lead to Lyme disease, which can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system.

According to Lauren Allen, who just completed her undergraduate degree with a double major in communication media studies and journalism from DePaulUniversity, and writing for RadioMD.com (www.radiomd.com) , “you can have a tick (or three) burrowed in your skin without even feeling a thing.” She notes that ticks are usually most active from April until September.

But she also reveals that removing ticks, once an onerous task using tweezers (which often did not remove the tick and was impossible to use for some parts of the body) is now a swab of cotton balls away.

Her advice:

• Apply a dime sized dollop of dish or hand soap onto a damp paper towel, tissue, or cotton ball.

• Cover the tick with the soap-saturated tissue or cotton ball, and hold in place for a few seconds (15-20).

• The tick will come out all on its own and will be stuck on the towel or cotton ball when you lift it away.

Look for tick bites under arms, behind ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between legs, around the waist and through hair. Also make sure to check any gear that was taken along, including clothing. A helpful tip is to put clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least an hour. It’s also a good idea to shower as soon as possible.

Ticks are small but they can cause big problems, so be vigilant when walking in outdoors and take the proper precautions. To read the complete story, visit http://radiomd.com/blogs-experts/radiomd-blogs/lauren-allen/item/12758-a-surprisingly-safe-effective-way-to-remove-ticks