Branches are nipped, stems show a rough shredded edge or ragged break. Bark on trees is removed from 1-3 feet above ground. (Deer)

Stems have a smooth, knife-like cut with an angled edge. Grass is cropped to the ground in patches. (Rabbits)

Bark is stripped from trees high above ground, usually on deciduous trees. (Fox Squirrels)

Gnawed bark high above ground with wide incisor marks on exposed sapwood, primarily on pine trees. (Porcupines)

Dug out areas around your front steps, a smell no one needs to tell you about. (Skunks)

Narrow channels or runways thru matted turf. Piles of dirt at the base of drystack retaining walls. Dirt mounds in flower beds. Girdled trees and shrubs. (Voles)

Holes appear in your siding (wood or stucco) or eaves. Jackhammer drumming. (Woodpeckers)

"Odorcide" works at removing dead body odor from decaying animals that have died where you cannot get at the carcass. Order online at bugspray.com.

No other product available locally worked at all.

If your pet has a close encounter and is sprayed, use Outright "Skunk Odor Eliminator" as directed (available at PetsMart); it really works.

If it's visibly wounded, do not approach it; call Douglas County Animal Control at 303-660-7529 to see if they can direct you to help.

The animal will probably be put down; slow death is no kindness and many wild animals do not tolerate the recuperation process. No one feels good about this, least of all the responding officer.

Locally, folks have been pleased with All American Wildlife Control (Joe Harkreader) at 303-840-7743 (read the reviews)

A All Animal Control (commercial) says it will come get the critter(s). 303-452-2113.

Division of Wildlife: Recorded (telephone) Help for Injured/Problem Wildlife:

• Colorado DOW: 303-291-7227
• Administrative Offices/Operator: 303-297-1192
• Injured and Orphaned Birds and Small Wildlife: 303-291-7550
• Skunks-Raccoons-Deer: 303-291-7542
• Young Birds and Mammals: 303-291-7544
• Roadkill Wildlife: 303-291-7546

Division of Wildlife- the online version of the resource.

Questions to ask before you call a commercial outfit - (provided by A All Animal Control).

All American Wildlife Control (Joe Harkreader) at 303-840-7743 and by email. " DC and Metro leader in Nuisance Wildlife Control serving CPN regularly" (10-1-02; neighborhood reviews available online)

Urban Wildlife Rescue - Penny Murphy at 303-340-4911

Douglas County Cooperative Extension - this is a "preventative" resource only.

Master Gardener: 303-660-7313 in Castle Rock or email them at mgardenr@douglas.co.us.

There are only 2 poisonous snakes in Colorado - the western rattlesnake (in mostly native habitats) and the massassauga (not usually seen in our area). You can tell from the shape of the head what kind of snake you are looking at (you can do this from a distance):

A broad, triangular head and narrow neck is found on the poisonous snake.

An elliptical head is a non-poisonous guy.

We are lucky to have this place as a neighbor: Cherokee Ranch & Castle is a non-profit foundation dedicated to preserving the natural environment, enhancing cultural life in Colorado, and providing educational opportunities devoted to western heritage, wildlife and the arts.

Tweet Kimball left this enchanting castle + 3100 acres of land to the foundation so that it may be preserved and open to the public for educational programs.

The land is absolutely Colorado… rugged and beautiful, teaming with elk, deer , turkeys, coyotes, fox and home to at least 56 types of birds and the Cherokee Ranch's own herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle.

The Cherokee Ranch & Castle Foundation host a number of activities that expose us to the beauty of what is around us. Check out upcoming events

Only the black bear is known to exist in Colorado.

Bears may be active anytime, day or night, most often during morning and evening twilight. In late summer, black bears are trying to fatten up for winter hibernation. This year's late spring freezes have taken away natural food sources.

If a bear doesn’t find abundant food, it will move on. You are responsible for doing all you can to prevent conflicts with bears. If a bear gets food from you, it's likely to behave more aggressively toward the next people it meets. So:

• Watch your trash, keep it in a secure building, not at "the curb for tomorrow's pick-up".
• Don't leave pet food outside.
• Remove bird feeders, including hummingbird feeders.
• Clean barbecues after each use.]
• Do not feed the bears, it is not cute.
• Keep all lower-level windows and doors tightly closed.
• If a bear enters your house, open doors and do not get in between the bear and its escape route.

There are no definite rules about what to do if you meet a bear outside. In almost all cases, the bear will detect you first and will leave the area. Bear attacks are rare compared to the number of close encounters.

Stay calm. If you see a bear and it hasn’t seen you, calmly leave the area. As you move away, talk aloud to let the bear discover your presence.

Stop. Back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact as bears may perceive this as a threat. Give the bear plenty of room to escape. Wild bears rarely attack people unless they feel threatened or provoked. If on a trail, step off the trail on the downhill side and slowly leave the area. Don’t run or make any sudden movements. Running is likely to prompt the bear to give chase and you can’t outrun a bear. Do not attempt climbing trees to escape black bears. This may stimulate the bear to follow and pull you out by the foot.

Stand your ground. Speak softly. This may reassure the bear that no harm is meant to it. Try not to show fear. In contrast to grizzly bears, female black bears do not normally defend their cubs aggressively; but send them up trees. However, use extra caution if you encounter a female black bear with cubs. Move away from the cub; be on the lookout for other cubs.

Bears use all their senses to try to identify what you are. Remember: Their eyesight is good and their sense of smell is acute. If a bear stands upright or moves closer, it may be trying to detect smells in the air. This isn't a sign of aggression. Once it identifies you, it may leave the area or try to intimidate you by charging to within a few feet before it withdraws.

Fight back if a black bear attacks you. Black bears have been driven away when people have fought back with rocks, sticks, binoculars and even their bare hands.

If you have a potentially life-threatening situation with a black bear or if an injury occurs, please contact the Division of Wildlife, Monday through Friday, 8AM – 5PM, at (303) 297-1192. After hours, contact the Colorado State Patrol or your local Sheriff’s Department. To report property damage, please contact the Division during normal business hours.

Native songbirds are disappearing from Colorado. One of the reasons is the continued encroachment of man in the native habitat. Us. Because with us comes our housecats. Please keep your cats indoors. They are lethal to the songbird population.

Many a small pet has been lost to coyotes in our area. Do not leave your cat out at night or keep your dog overnite in an outdoor kennel that does not have a top or put your dog loose in your yard thinking your fence will protect them. It won't.

Another resource from the Dept of Agriculture on Coyotes.

Deer provide enjoyment for wildlife viewers, photographers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts. We have all gone to outside to look at them when they are in our vicinity. A hungry deer is another story.

Preventing deer damage - Tallow-based bars of soaps have been more effective than non-tallow bars of soap. Simulated rainfall slightly decreased the effectiveness of the Big Game Repellent, coyote urine, and the chicken egg solution. When deer were moderately to very hungry, even the best repellents failed to deter all browsing. Netting can reduce deer damage to small trees. Adequate fencing to exclude deer is the only sure way to control deer damage.

Foxes - (hunting for info)

Many of us are living with the striped kitties, as they are very adaptive. Skunks are nocturnal and reclusive. Use extra caution if you encounter one during the day or one that is extremely aggressive, as it may indicate that the animal is rabid. Do not let them get started under your deck, block off underdeck access with mesh and be vigilant.

If your dog has a close encounter and is sprayed, use Outright "Skunk Odor Eliminator" as directed (available at PetsMart); it really works.

You can easily tell nonpoisonous and poisonous species from each other at a safe distance. So don't automatically bash them with a shovel. Most Colorado snakes are harmless and beneficial.

And yes, Dorothy, most of us have found a snake in our basements once in a blue moon. We removed ours by placing a box lid over the snake and sliding a piece of cardboard underneath the lid and giving the garter snake a ride out of the basement. You can also sweep the snake into a large bucket with a broom to release outdoors.

They come in the same way the mice do - through holes in the foundation. This can be solved by caulking and sealing all holes. It will inspire you.

Garter snakes - a so-so picture of a garter snake from CSU's online resource.

Fox Squirrels - Among the nuisance pests, these guys are high on the list. A squirrel entering your home via the fireplace chimney can wreak havoc in a very short time.

Ground Squirrels - the grayish ones.

We mostly have meadow voles here, their populations naturally peak every 3-5 years. Voles have 3-6 young per litter and 3-12 litters per year. The heaviest damage seems to coincide with years of heavy snowfall; most damage occurs in the winter under the protection of snow.

Rodenticides usually are a short-term solution to the damage these guys can inflict. Two percent zinc phosphide is the only legal grain bait for controlling voles in Colorado (the pelleted form is apparently more effective and must be properly applied). It is hazardous to humans through contact and inhalation.

Please consider habitat maintenance before you use bait as it is a hazard to birds and is toxic to animals. This means removing undergrowth, elimination of tall grasses and weeds - essentially removing cover - as they prefer to move under the protection of plant material.

Some of the natural predators include hawks, coyotes, fox, owls and some snakes. Predators will not eliminate the population but they will go a long way in reducing the problem.

The northern flicker is responsible for most damage to our homes, drilling holes in siding and eaves. Woodpeckers hammer to attract mates and establish territory. Most are drumming and it does not mean that your siding is full of insects. They are not easily discouraged once they have chosen your home.

Prevention and control of woodpecker damage.

www.CPNHOA.org

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