Who's Who in the Wild - Through the Fog...

Dense winter fog on Anarchist Mountain - it can be beautiful in its grey simplicity. However, it also limits our ability to see potential hazards while driving, especially wildlife, people and pets, and other vehicles.

Every year, tens of thousands of animals are killed by vehicles on our highways and roadways. The risk of hitting an animal increases substantively when visibility is reduced and road conditions deteriorate, which can happen quickly. Wildlife typically most active at dawn and dusk, use fog to their perceived advantage of cover and travel more during the daytime. This poses an additional hazard, because they have greater difficulty seeing you or vehicles.

Here are some tips to reduce the risk to you and your family when driving in foggy conditions this winter:

• Slow down: Drive at a safe and reasonable speed for the road conditions, even if it's slower than the speed limit. 

• Increase following distance: Leave at least 10 seconds between you and the vehicle in front. 

• Avoid high beams: The light from high beams reflects off the fog and makes it harder to see. 

• Use your hazard lights: In dense fog, the flashing lights will make it easier for other vehicles to see you.

• Flash oncoming vehicles: If you observe wildlife close to or on the road, flash oncoming traffic to warn them of the hazard, brake slowly and give other vehicles space to react.

• Avoid passing other cars: The road is obscured, so it's best to avoid passing other vehicles. 

• Never stop on the road: If you can't navigate safely, pull over in a rest area or well off the road and wait for the fog to clear.

If you hit a large animal like a deer or moose, pull over to the side of the road if it is safe to do so and turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers. Contact the RCMP and AIM Roads (1-866-222-4204 if the animal is blocking traffic or a threat to other drivers. DO NOT approach the animal under any circumstances - doing so could put your safety at risk and make a bad situation worse. If the animal is still alive or appears injured and wanders off, please contact the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277 to report the incident.

Who's Who in the Wild - Wile E. Coyote is on the move...

Did you know that early fall through December is 'dispersal season' for coyotes on Anarchist? This means that the mature pups born earlier this year are either allowed to stay in their family's territory (as 'betas') or are driven out of the family pack. Both young males and females can be pushed out.

While dispersal can occur at any time of the year, it's most common in the fall/early winter. As the parents of the youngsters (the alpha pair) begin preparing for fall breeding season, they want to remove any possible challenges and competition for food out of the family pack.

Dispersal season is an incredibly difficult time for the young coyotes that are forced to leave and find their own way. While some will find mates and form packs of their own, others will wander as transients, seeking food and shelter wherever they can while trying to avoid the territories of other packs and other trouble. These youngsters will be more curious and less cautious of people than adult coyotes, so you may see them close to your home or yard.

We can all do our part to avoid negative interactions with coyotes this fall and winter. Remember to:

• Always keep your dog on a leash and under control. Breeding pairs can be very territorial at this time of year and a roaming dog could be seen as a threat.

• Keep cats indoors, especially at night. A free-range cat is an easy target for coyotes and other predators.

• Ensure attractants like bird seed, pet and livestock feed and compost are properly secured. If not, it's likely mice and other rodents will be attracted to this easy and convenient food source, which in turn could attract coyotes to your yard.

• Pick up after your dog as canine feces can act as an attractant for coyotes.

• If you encounter a coyote while out in your yard or on a walk, make lots of noise, wave your arms, and keep dogs and small children close. If you can, walk in the opposite direction.

  • Coyotes sometimes engage in behavior called 'escorting' to guide people and dogs away from their territory. This is usually a normal and non-threatening behavior.

• Never feed wildlife or let your dogs chase coyotes or other wildlife. The Provincial Wildlife Act considers it an offense to attract and/or feed wildlife (or chase wildlife) such as bears, coyotes, cougars and wolves. Doing so can result in significant fines or jail time.

If you encounter a coyote that is acting aggressively, please contact the BC Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-RAPP (7277).

Who's Who in the Wild - Oh Deer....

Did you know two of the three species of deer found in BC can be found here on Anarchist Mountain? White-tailed deer and mule deer can be commonly seen and, right now, both species are in rut. This means that male deer, or bucks, are frisky and looking for companionship from female deer, or does. Rut occurs late October through December each year, with the most activity occurring in mid-November. At this time of year, deer are more active and can be less aware of what's going on around them - this can increase the risk of deer-vehicle collisions or negative encounters on our property or in the back country. 

Here are some tips to stay safe while driving during rutting season and all year-round.

• Drive carefully - Be especially vigilant when driving Highway 3 and along our subdivision roads close to dawn and dusk. Female deer being pursued by bucks can quickly dart out onto the road.

• Watch for signs - Look for deer crossing signs and flashing wildlife-warning signs. 

• Slow down and obey posted speed limits - If you see a deer, slow down without swerving. Signal oncoming traffic to let drivers know there is a deer on or close to the road.

• Use high beams - Turn on your high-beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic to make spotting deer easier. 

• Be aware of groups: Deer often travel in groups, so if you see one deer, watch for others. 

• Maintain control - If a collision with a deer is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle. Swerving into the ditch or oncoming traffic could make the outcome far worse.

• Report collisions - If you hit a deer, turn on your hazard lights and move your vehicle off the road if you can. Please call AIM Roads (the contractor for BC Highways in the South Okanagan, 1-866-222-4204) or the RCMP (911) to report the collision.

If you've got deer frequenting your yard or encounter them while out walking or hiking, please remember to:

• Keep your distance - Never, ever approach rutting male deer or get in between a group of deer.

• Always keep your dog on a leash and under control - Do not let your dog chase deer, or any other wildlife. During rut, males are very territorial and can quickly turn and injure you or your dog. It's also against the law to let your dog chase wildlife.

• Slowly move away if a deer glances at you out of the corner of its eye. This is a sign they are aggravated by your presence.

• Never wave or shout at a deer that's acting threateningly - this can quickly make things worse. Slowly walk away and leave the area.

  
  

  If you are experiencing conflict with deer or other wildlife, or find an injured deer, please call the Conservation Officer Service at 1-877-952-7277.