Living With Wildlife Frequently Asked Questions Arizona Game and Fish Department

A woodpecker is pecking on my house; what should I do?

Several solutions are available: Try using a plastic owl in the area, but move it to a different spot each day. Hang tinfoil strips, wind chimes and/or anything that moves in the area. Have your home checked for bugs. Also try excluding the woodpecker from the problem areas by using netting. You can try harassing the bird and/or using a raptor-in-flight silhouette and wind-driven tape/flagging. If monetary damage is being done, try these self-help methods first. Then, try to get a federal permit to deal with the situation. Also try using a search engine to find helpful Web sites. Use key words in your search, including "woodpecker control." For more information on living with wildlife, visit Woodpecker.

Can I put out food and water for birds so I can watch them?

Contact your local Arizona Game and Fish Department office and/or the Forest Service for information on what types of birds are in the area, as well as if there are any restrictions on feeding. For information visit Feeding Wildlife Law.

Can you come and remove my skunk, snake, etc. from my yard?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department usually does not remove small animals from homes or yards. There are several private companies that are licensed to handle these types of problems. Also, in unincorporated portions of the county, your local fire department may remove snakes. For more information , visit Wildlife Removal .

How do I become a wildlife rehabilitator?

You must first have a minimum of six months of experience performing wildlife rehabilitative work for an average of not less than eight hours per week, while assisting a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, veterinarian or state or federal agency. Then you must take tests for the group of animals you will rehabilitate and pass those tests with 80 percent correct or better. Once you have the experience and pass the tests, then you can apply for a license. The Arizona Game and Fish Department will also need documentation on your facility and how you will meet captivity standards. Learn more about becoming a rehabilitator by visiting the Arizona Game and Fish Department's Web site at Special Permits

How many animal species in Arizona are federally listed as endangered or threatened?

Arizona's wildlife includes 61 species of animals listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.

I found a baby animal; can I take care of it until it is old enough to release?

Generally, no. According to Commission Rule R12-4-427, the only wildlife that can be possessed for longer than 60 days for rehabilitation purposes are passerine birds, dove, quail, pheasant, partridge, chukars, rodents, hares and rabbits. Please contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department in this case so the animal can be brought to a wildlife rehabilitator. For more information on living with wildlife, visit Sick or Injured Wildlife.

I found a bobcat, javelina, fox or coyote in my yard; what should I do?

According to the Arizona Game and Fish Department, these animals are generally not a threat to humans, but they can be a threat to small pets. Small pets, including cats and small dogs, should not be left outside unattended. In most cases, the wild animals should be left alone. However, if you notice the animal is hanging around quite a bit, aversion tactics should be used. These tactics can include yelling, throwing your arms in the air and even turning a garden hose on the creature.

Here are some other ways to indicate to a wild animal that it is not welcome:

Be sure there is no wildlife feeding going on in your neighborhood.
Harass or spray the animal with a hose.
Shake an aluminum can - such as a cola can -- with pebbles or nuts/bolts in it.
Repel the animal by putting pepper or Tabasco sauce on specific plants, ammonia bowls where they bed (is not a "barrier" that pigs won't cross).
Remove any ground cover that the animal may be using as shelter.
Exclude the animal using fencing or electric fencing. CHECK YOUR LOCAL CITY ORDINANCES FIRST, IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO THIS.

For more information on living with wildlife, visit Urban Wildlife.

I found an injured/orphaned animal by the road; can I hold it until I can contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department?

No. Due to concerns regarding Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), under no circumstances should individuals bring what appears to be an orphaned fawn in from the wild. Many times, the mother is nearby waiting for you to leave. If you do bring a fawn in, you will be directed to return the animal back to the exact location where you originally found it. Regarding fawns, the department has determined that accepting young deer and elk taken from the wild by persons who believe the young to be abandoned, could expose the state's wildlife resources to possible CWD if these young are held in captivity. According to Commission Rule R12-4-408, any Arizona Game and Fish Department officer may authorize you to either hold or transport restricted live wildlife for up to 72 hours. Keep in mind that the best course of action is to immediately call the Arizona Game and Fish Department in this situation. For more information on living with wildlife, visit Urban Wildlife.

I found an injured/sick pigeon in my yard; what should I do?

Pigeons are considered domestic animals. Therefore, the Arizona Game and Fish Department does not handle them. Please call your local animal shelter.

I think I saw a wolf; how can I tell the difference between a coyote and a wolf?

Wolves stand 2 to 3 feet tall at the shoulder and measure up to 5 feet long, including their tail. Coyotes are 1 to 2 feet tall and can measure up to 4 feet in length, including tail. Wolves weigh 45-85 pounds, while coyotes weigh 20-45 pounds. The fur color of a Mexican gray wolf is very similar to that of a coyote. A wolf's fur can be a grizzled gray, black or rust color. It will not be all white or all black. A coyote's fur can be grizzled gray or rust, and is rarely white or black. A wolf's ears are rounded and relatively short. Its nose is large, broad, and blocky, and its face often has markings. A wolf moves in a stiff and unique gait. A coyote's ears are prominent, pointed, and relatively long. Its nose is slender and pointed, and the face is mostly one color. A coyote moves with more bounce and a bounding gait. Coyotes usually display skittish behavior around humans, unless they are being fed somehow. Wolves sometimes display a curious behavior and may linger in one area, although they normally avoid human contact. For more information on wolves in Arizona, visit azgfd.gov/wolf.

I'm having trouble with birds at my house; what should I do?

Issue - The flocks are too large; there are lots of droppings; etc. Resolution - Try harassing the birds, trimming branches, and/or using a raptor-in-flight silhouette, wind-driven tape/flagging or perch inhibitors. Issue - The birds are "attacking" (dive bombing) pets/humans. Resolution - Contact is rarely made in these cases, and the activity is probably reproduction-related. This is a short-lived problem, but harass the birds if necessary. Issue - The property owner wants to remove a nest. Resolution - This is allowed ONLY if the there are no eggs in the nest or the young have started flying. Try to make the area unsuitable for nesting. Issue - There is a problem involving ducks. These are generally domestic (resident) animals and not "wildlife." Resolution - That means this is the property manager's responsibility (park, golf course, resort, etc.). Rehabilitators might be able to assist. Issue - There is a problem involving ducklings and other baby birds. Resolution - Contact an animal rehabilitator. For more information on living with wildlife, visit Urban Wildlife.

What attracts bears to my home or property?

Garbage stored outside is by far the biggest attractant to bears. Results show that if you leave your garbage outside, you have a 68 percent chance of being visited by a bear. If you live on the edge of a housing development or next to a thick wooded area within a housing area and leave your garbage outside, your chances increase to more than 70 percent. However, if you store your garbage in a garage or shed until the morning of collection, you have only a 2 percent chance of a bear visit, regardless of where you live. Wildlife and pet food have not been found to directly attract bears, but if a bear is in the neighborhood eating garbage, it will also feed on bird feeders and dog food if they are available. To help ensure that a bear will not visit you, keep your pet food inside and hang your bird feeders on a wire between two trees at least 8 feet above the ground so a bear can't reach them. Never hang your bird feeders on the porch. Barbecues, gardens and fruit trees do not attract bears, but they might attract other animals. It is always wise to keep barbecues clean, and pick fruit and vegetables as they ripen. For more information on living with wildlife, visit Bear.

What keeps bears away?

Since garbage stored outside is the biggest attractant of bears, try storing your garbage inside until the morning of collection to virtually eliminate your chances of a bear visit. If a bear doesn't find food around your house, it will probably move on. Most fences do not stop bears. Bears are good climbers, so unless you build a 6- to 9-foot non-climbable fence, a bear can still get to your garbage. Don't rely on a barking dog or outside, motion-sensitive lighting to keep a bear away. Neither has been found to be effective in deterring bears. For more information on living with wildlife, visit Bear.

When are bear cubs born?

Bear cubs are born in the den in late January or early February, and weigh only about 8 ounces at birth. Litter size ranges from one to five, but the Arizona average is two cubs. Upon emergence from the den in May, the cubs average about 6 pounds. They will nurse from their mother through June, and also forage for other foods. The cubs den with their mother their first fall, at which time they usually weigh 40-70 pounds. Upon emergence from the den the following spring, they will become independent of their mother.

When do bears hibernate?

Although there is no set time frame for bears to hibernate, most begin going into hibernation in late October. Females with cubs den first, followed by other females and finally, the adult males. During the months of hibernation, bears do not eat or drink, but instead rely on the fat stored in their bodies for survival. By the same token, they also do not eliminate waste materials during the denning period. Bears can completely stop kidney function for up to five months with no apparent ill effects, a physiological mystery currently being studied by researchers. Bears emerge from the den in March or April.

When I'm hiking or camping, do I need to worry about bears and mountain lions?

The Arizona Game and Fish Department urges you to always be aware of your surroundings; the forest is home to many types of wildlife. Always make your presence known when you're out hiking and stay on trails. Be prepared for the unexpected. More information about both bears and mountain lions is available at the department's Web site at Urban Wildlife. The department also has several brochures about bears and mountain lions that include safety tips. You can get the brochures at any Arizona Game and Fish Department office.