Now that spring is finally here and we are pushing towards summer, there will be a lot more participants in outdoor activities.  One of the favorite activities throughout Wisconsin is wildlife watching, whether that's bird, deer, or other furry creatures.  And, this time of year is an ideal time make your observations.  Late spring ushers in the newest members of the wilderness communities.  We will begin to see deer fawns, baby birds, and bouncing bunnies in our backyards, and for the more adventurous observers you may get a glimpse of bear cubs, wolf pups, or even a young elk.  But, no matter how cute they are, we have to remember they are wild animals and should be treated appropriately.  The following paragraphs are taken from a June 2013 article in Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine by Mandy Cyr, a WI DNR Biologist.

It is common in most wildlife species for parents to leave their babies unattended for periods of time while they forage or hunt for food. Parents also minimize time spent at nest sites to prevent predators from easily finding their babies.

Fawns are born with spots and little scent to help them blend into their environment and stay hidden. They move very little in their first weeks and they are often left alone for much of this time. Their mothers only return a few times a day to feed them and then fawns return to their hiding places. If you see a fawn lying on the ground by itself, you should leave the fawn where it is and try not to disrupt the area.

Baby rabbits also are usually alone in their nest during the day when the mother is not there. The mother rabbit will return a few times a day to feed her babies, but will then leave quickly because baby rabbits’ best protection from predators is to remain in their nest concealed with grass or vegetation.

Baby songbirds are also left alone in their nest at times when their parents are looking for food. As baby songbirds get older they move around more and start to test out their developing feathers. At this age, songbirds are called fledglings. Fledglings leave the nest just prior to the full feather development and, thus, cannot fly for several days to a week. During this time they hop around on the ground building their strength and coordination under their parent’s watch. It is best to leave the fledglings alone to finish their developments.

It is a common misconception that human scent on a wild animal will drive the parents away. If you or someone you know picks up a wild baby that is healthy and not orphaned, and it has been held for less than 24 hours, place it back where it was found. Also keep pets and activity away from the area so  the parents will feel safe enough to return.

It’s also important to understand the laws and risks about handling wild animals. Most wild animals are protected under state and federal laws, making it illegal to take them from the environment without proper permits and authorization. However, citizens may temporarily possess sick, injured,
orphaned, or displaced wildlife for up to 24 hours for the sole purpose of transfer to an appropriately licensed individual.

Most wild animals have an innate fear of humans and are not meant to live in captivity. They have complex nutritional, physical, mental and social needs that are not easily replicated in a captive setting. They can also be stressed by human interactions and noises associated with human activity; or even become habituated to and completely dependent on humans, making reintroduction back
into the environment impossible.

Wild animals also carry diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to humans or domestic animals such as rabies, salmonellosis, mange or intestinal roundworms. If an animal is truly orphaned or appears to be sick or injured, you should contact the Department of Natural Resources or a wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Wildlife rehabilitators are licensed by the state and federal
government to temporarily care for and treat wildlife with the goal of releasing them back into their natural habitat.  An online directory of wildlife rehabilitators is available at:  Wildlife rehabilitation directory  

Key points to remember: 

- A healthy animal’s best chance of survival is to remain in its natural environment.
- Wild animals are not meant to live a life in captivity.
- Young wild animals found alone are not necessarily orphaned.
- Human scent on a wild animal will not drive the parents away, so healthy baby animals can often be returned to their nests.

"In all things of nature there is something marvelous." - Aristotle

I found this article by Darren Bush on ArtofManliness.com and it describes my ambition for canoe camping exactly. 

Canoe tripping is part of the fabric of the North woods. It was the canoe that carried Native Americans throughout North America. Canoes brought the first Europeans into the interior of the frontier to trade and proselyte.  And it was from the inside of a canoe that Lewis and Clark explored and mapped our new nation.

So it is no wonder that the idea of paddling away from civilization and into the wilderness has always held great romantic appeal for men. What man has not sat at his desk, surrounded by the walls of his cubicle, and closed his eyes to imagine gliding through the water of a clear river, surrounded on both sides by emerald forests or vibrant fall foliage?

But it needn’t remain a mere fantasy. Canoe tripping is not only romantic, it’s also a very practical way to camp.  The utility of the canoe is undisputed. In the hands of a skilled paddler, it can carry amazing amounts of gear, navigate waters from tiny streams to vast oceans, and do it with a panache that is unquestionably manly.

Last time, we talked about one of the advantages of car camping over backpacking; mainly, that with car camping you can pack more gear, allowing you to camp more comfortably and cook and eat more delicious grub. Of course the downside of car camping is that it lessens the feel of getting away from civilization and losing oneself in nature.

Well, with canoeing, you can have the best of both worlds. You can plunge yourself deep into the wilderness, a la backpacking, while at the same time carrying 100 pounds of gear in your canoe. It is camping that is both rustic and luxurious, which makes it, in my humble opinion, the best kind of
camping of all.

By now I’ve convinced you that a canoe trip is in your future. But many men seem to find the idea of planning and executing a canoe trip intimidating. Loading a tent and sleeping bag in the car they can do. But heading down a river into the wilderness seems a bit more daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Planning a canoe trip is like planning anything, you’ll simply need to:

• Decide what you want to do
• Research what you need to know
• Find the resources you need
• Execute your plan

"Everyone must believe in something.  I believe I'll go canoeing." - Henry David Thoreau

The late spring, cooler than normal temperatures, and continuous rainy weather has many gardeners concerned about when they will be able to start their planting/growing season and how long the season will be.  But, while we wait for ideal conditions, mother nature has already started to produce its forageable foods.  As I walked through the forest last weekend, you could see the beginnings of some excellent spring wild edibles.  Ostrich ferns are beginning to emerge, trout lilies are abundant, and of course the plant that seems to account for half of my backyard, dandelions are making the push for maturity.  

Foraging has become more popular in recent years, as restaurants start to be more locally focused and experimental, but with popularity comes some concerns.  Over harvesting is a major concern for some edible species, and inaccurate identification can lead to some adverse reactions.  Ex: (Just because fiddleheads are ferns, doesn't mean all ferns are edible.)  Here are a few guidelines to follow before you try foraging on your own.  

1. If you can't positively identify it, don't taste it, and definitely don't eat it.
2. Remember that just because a plant has edible parts, it doesn't mean the whole plant is edible.
3. Some edible parts of the plant may be inedible during some stages of the plants growth.
4. Harvest in healthy places away from roads and polluted waters.  And, definitely away from backyards with dogs. 
5. Keep the health of your resource in mind.  Harvest only 10% of each patch, and pass by small patches all together. 
6. Know the rules of foraging when on public lands.
7. When you try a new edible for the first time, always eat it in moderation.
*Guidelines provided by "Abundantly Wild - Collecting and Cooking Wild Edibles in the Upper Midwest by Teresa Marrone

Foraging is a great way to get outside during all times of the year.  Whether it's for fiddleheads or ramps in spring, berries and milkweed in summer, or nuts and tubers in autumn; Grab an identification guide and the family, and have a great time outdoors.

"We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us.  When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." - Aldo Leopold.