DNR asks hunters, hikers to share wildlife sightings

A walk in the woods can help the Department of Natural Resources keep an eye on wildlife.

It’s part of Jessica Rees’s job as a natural resources technician to keep track of the wildlife observations submitted mostly by hunters. Since the opening of the deer bow season began in September, more than 1,700 reports about all kinds of animals have been submitted.

“Raccoons and skunks and porcupines and red and gray foxes, turkeys, grouse, coyotes, so pretty much a lot of the species.”

Or fisher, or bobcat, or badger, or opossum. You get the idea.

The online wildlife watch began in 2009, so Rees says this isn’t a snapshot. It shows trends, especially for the deer herd.

“This is just another piece of the puzzle, another view into what the deer herd is doing. So I wouldn’t say this is the best but it’s a good way since there are so many hunters out there.”

The survey lists 17 wildlife species on its website, but Rees says if you bump into something not on the list, let them know, especially if it’s a Sasquatch sighting.

Wildlife observations can be filed by going to the DNR’s home page, and type in “deer hunter wildlife” as keywords.

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