Submitted by Chad Gray,
Atchison County Conservation Agent

April brings spring to the loess bluff hills of Atchison County every year. It is a time for working ground and sowing seeds. We see nature rebound from the frozen clutches of winter. Mushrooms will be popping and turkeys are gobbling. All of these great things take place during spring. Spring brings many other things in the form of young wildlife.
Many animals take advantage of spring weather every year to reproduce. They use everything and anything in order to accomplish this task. Should you find young wildlife, please leave it alone. It is human nature to assume that if young wildlife is found without parents nearby then they are abandoned. In almost every case these babies are not abandoned. Their animal parents have likely tried to hide the young in an effort to keep them safe from predators.
If you see young wildlife, please do not approach them. It could be dangerous to your health and that of the wild animal. Female deer may attack anything that comes near their fawn if it happens right in front of them. We all know that an angry mama will not be a happy customer if you are near her hidden fawn. White-tail deer fawns are born with almost no scent. If humans handle or touch young deer you may make it easier for predators to find. Letting wildlife be is the best rule of thumb.
Birds will be reproducing as well this spring. Remember it is illegal to disturb or molest the den or nest of a wild animal in the state of Missouri, so please be careful to not damage nest sites or denning locations.
Remembering these key points during the spring will allow wildlife in Atchison County to flourish. With community involvement in conservation we can ensure natural resources will be here for generations to come.