As wildlife becomes more active across Minnesota during the summer months, experts with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are encouraging residents to take steps to reduce conflicts with animals.
Minnesota DNR Wildlife Damage Specialist Brandon Kaiser said proactive measures can help improve safety, reduce stress, and prevent costly damage.
“Taking steps to mitigate wildlife conflict can help alleviate stress. It can increase safety. Sometimes it’s a financial benefit, sometimes it’s a loss to your crops or physical damage to your property, especially in commercial agriculture,” Kaiser said.
Kaiser noted that hunting and trapping remain important tools for managing wildlife populations, while barriers such as fencing can help prevent unwanted encounters.
“Hunting and trapping is the number one tool that’s used for managing wildlife populations. Without the presence of hunting, populations are often left unchecked. Another preventative measure that can be used is the use of barriers, which can be a great way to prevent human-wildlife conflict,” he said.
He also encouraged residents to limit attractants such as bird feeders and unsecured garbage. If conflicts do occur, Kaiser said non-lethal hazing techniques can be effective when used consistently.
“It’s most effective when it’s done early and often,” Kaiser said. “Combining multiple tools and switching up the location helps keep wildlife on their toes.”
Additional tips for peacefully coexisting with wildlife are available on the Minnesota DNR website.
