Halloween decorations may attract wildlife in Arizona
The Halloween season is upon us and those carefully carved pumpkins sitting outside may be attracting some unwanted trick-or-treaters: hungry javelina and other wildlife looking for an easy meal.
“A ripened pumpkin sitting outdoors is like candy for javelina,” said Darren Julian, urban wildlife specialist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Pumpkins and other edible decorations are easy meals for wildlife and often attract javelina, coyotes, deer and even bears.
"Habituating wildlife to human food sources can lead to property damage and potential conflicts that could result in serious injuries to people or pets.”
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Halloween decorations may attract wildlife in Arizona
Posted
Arizona Revised Statutes 13-2927
Unlawful feeding of wildlife
A. A person commits unlawful feeding of wildlife by intentionally, knowingly or recklessly feeding, attracting or otherwise enticing wildlife into an area, except for:
1. Persons lawfully taking or holding wildlife pursuant to title 17 or pursuant to rules or orders of the Arizona game and fish commission.
2. Public employees or authorized agents acting within the scope of their authority for public safety or for wildlife management purposes.
3. Normal agricultural or livestock operational practices.
4. Tree squirrels or birds.
B. This section applies in a county with a population of more than two hundred eighty thousand persons.
C. Unlawful feeding of wildlife is a petty offense.
The Halloween season is upon us and those carefully carved pumpkins sitting outside may be attracting some unwanted trick-or-treaters: hungry javelina and other wildlife looking for an easy meal.
“A ripened pumpkin sitting outdoors is like candy for javelina,” said Darren Julian, urban wildlife specialist with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Pumpkins and other edible decorations are easy meals for wildlife and often attract javelina, coyotes, deer and even bears.
"Habituating wildlife to human food sources can lead to property damage and potential conflicts that could result in serious injuries to people or pets.”
The AZGFD recommends that jack-o-lanterns, uncarved pumpkins and cornucopias be displayed indoors on window sills so they can be seen from outside if desired, and discarded securely to help prevent encounters with foraging wildlife. If they must be displayed outdoors, be sure to place them high off the ground where they cannot be reached by wildlife.
Additionally, the public is reminded that it is illegal under Arizona Revised Statutes 13-2927 to knowingly feed wildlife in Pima, Maricopa and Pinal counties, with the exception of birds and tree squirrels, which are rare at lower elevations. Intentionally feeding wildlife is a crime as it can create a public safety hazard when wildlife are unable to find the meal they’re seeking.
Other wildlife may eat birdseed, so birds are best fed only in an enclosed yard, preferably from a bird feeder. A tray can be attached beneath a feeder to catch spillover seed. Seed blocks should be placed in an enclosed area or on a secure raised platform.
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