Feeding wildlife threatens health and safety

The relocation of a 20-pound black bear cub from the Yaak last week has once again highlighted the epidemic of wildlife feeding, according to Fish, Wildlife & Parks game warden Tamie Laverdure. The bear cub was captured Feb. 11 in a culvert trap near a residence in the Yaak. The resident was issued a warning for feeding the bear, which is illegal in Montana.

Laverdure said the problem with feeding game animals is of epidemic proportions in south Lincoln County.

“This deer feeding in the Libby area is a real problem,” she said. “I’ve tried education. I’ve tried to explain it. It’s illegal and here’s why: If you feed deer you get a congregation and that leads to other problems. It leads to a more rampant spread of disease among the animals and it also lures in more predators. Also, when you feed the animals they become habituated and can then become aggressive and unafraid of humans.”

Laverdure referred to habituated deer as thug deer herds, animals who aren’t afraid of people and can become aggressive demanding food from people. She said one group of such deer is now present in a Libby-area neighborhood where feeding has been prevalent. Those deer, she said, have started pinning back their ears and otherwise acting aggressively toward children at the school bus stop when they aren’t given food. 

Laverdure recalled an incident some years ago in which she had to put down a deer the locals had affectionately dubbed “Spanky,” because it had become too accustomed to acquiring his food from people. Habituated deer often become aggressive when food is not given, aggression that can lead to dangerous interactions between humans and deer.

“Public safety is Fish, Wildlife & Parks top priority,” Laverdure said. “We can’t have a thug deer herd out stomping children.” 

Another problem, Laverdure said, is the deer’s inability to digest the often high-protein foods provided by people. The deer’s systems are incapable of processing the nutrient-rich feed purchased from livestock feed stores. Laverdure has recorded several cases of deer dying from corn acedosis this year, she said. 

“People think they’re doing the deer a favor,” she said. “But they’re not. They’re literally killing the deer with kindness.”