Respect Wildlife
One of the wonderful things about visiting the Sawtooth National Forest is seeing wildlife in their natural environment, observing their behavior, and, perhaps, capturing the moment on film. However, human behavior can have unforeseen impacts on the natural world, resulting in unnecessary human-wildlife conflicts. To avoid such conflicts, we encourage visitors to consider that, when visiting the Forest, they are guests in the places where wildlife live.
Best Practices to Avoid Human-Wildlife Conflict
- Learn the behavior of wildlife you regularly observe and recognize signs of disturbance;
- Discuss ethical wildlife viewing with your group before the trip in order to foster wonderment and to avoid frustration during wildlife encounters;
- Conduct yourselves such that animals do not register your presence or alter their behavior;
- Invest in telephoto lenses, high-powered binoculars or spotting scopes to allow other visitors to experience wildlife without disturbance;
- Capture photographs of animals within the context of their environment without approaching or provoking them;
- Avoid shouting or making noise to get an animal’s attention;
- Teach children not to approach, feed, yell at or harass wild animals;
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times, such as when nesting, denning, mating, nursing, wintering, molting and feeding;
- Follow the Food Storage Order and secure food, trash and other attractants properly during your trip.
- Ensure that everyone in your party knows the proper outdoor ethics for recreating in bear country.
- Extend respect and non-disturbance to all animals, including sea birds and intertidal life.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.