Venture out, but leave wintering wildlife alone, NDGF advises

Winter started early this year with a significant blizzard in mid-November. Coupled with more snow and fridged temperatures in December, winter has been tough on wildlife.

While outdoors enjoying winter activities it’s important to keep your distance from wintering wildlife. Mike Anderson explains in this week’s segment of North Dakota Outdoors.

"They're pretty much hunkering down in good winter cover that's close to food," says Levi Jacobson, wildlife resource management supervisor wit the North Dakota Game and Fish Department. "They try not to expend a lot of energy in harsh conditions like this, so they don't have to go searching for food and that kind of stuff. So they're really relying on their fat and energy reserves to get them through the winter."

At this time of year when we’re gifted with nice sunny days and no wind people are anxious to get outside to enjoy their favorite winter activities.

"Whether it's snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, all that stuff, we encourage to get out there and use our outdoors,” Jacobson says.

If you witness someone harassing wildlife, call the Report All Poachers line at 701-328-9921.