Living With Wildlife: Tales From the Wild Frontier

Have you ever had a close encounter with a wild animal? It's something many of us who live in the mountains or other wilderness areas have experienced, both thrilling and terrifying. For me, my first encounter with a black bear was an up-close and personal one. I vividly remember the day I opened our front door and found myself face to face with a bear, nose to nose, as it was exploring our deck for a meal. We both cried out and the bear scrambled off, seemingly startled by the sudden appearance.

Over the Years

Since then, my encounters with wildlife have become part of the routine. I live surrounded by wild animals, each with their own quirks and routines. One of the more peculiar encounters was with a friendly fox named Tod. Tod was a playful and clever creature who would present presents to my dogs, such as bones and deer hides. However, his collection of stolen shoes from the neighbor caused quite a fuss and led to his passing on due to the dangers inherent in the yard.

Deer, Bears, and More

Regularly, deer visit my yard to nibble on bushes and flowers. At the end of August, we make sure all apples on the trees are removed, as black bears commonly frequent our area. The house needs to be completely clean to avoid attracting bears. Unfortunately, grizzly bears also make occasional visits, although they are less frequent. A persistent problem is the presence of cougars, which kill a deer in our yard about once a month. Tod and his fox friends would scavenge the leftovers. Once the cougar moves on, we clean up the mess to prevent the dogs from getting to it.

The area is also home to numerous birds and larger predators. We have Bald eagles, Golden eagles, Great horned owls, and even Great grey owls. Although these birds are intimidating, we are more concerned about the Golden eagle's potential interest in our dogs. Last year, we even had a coyote in our yard for the first time in decades. The arrival of wolves in the area had driven the coyotes away or caused them to be eaten. Now we have to be wary of coyotes.

The Wildlife Gallery

Here are some photos from my wildlife encounters:

The fox and coyote: The friendly fox, Tod, would play with my dogs and occasionally bring them presents, such as bones and deer hides. The coyote, which had returned to the area after the departure of wolves, was an unexpected visitor. Moose and eagles: Moose and eagles have also been regular visitors to our yard, often seen through the window. Bald eagles and Great grey owls: Our neighborhood is home to both Bald eagles and Great grey owls, flying majestically above our home.

Coexistence and Precautions

Living with wildlife requires both adaptability and precaution. In the last few decades, wolves have returned to the area, driving away the coyotes. This has allowed deer to venture closer to our yard, which is why cougars have found it easier to kill them here. It's a delicate balance, and our precautions help in minimizing conflict while coexisting with these magnificent creatures.

Through these experiences, I've learned a great deal about wildlife management and the delicate relationship between humans and nature. These wild encounters have become a cherished part of our life in the mountains, despite the occasional surprise and danger they bring.