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Some animals have a tough enough time surviving winter without being chased to exhaustion
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Chasing wildlife with a motorized vehicle is unacceptable.
In the outdoor world, sometimes a gray area forms the boundary between what is and isn’t ethical. But in the case of people using motorized vehicles to chase wildlife, the boundary is a thick, black, double-wide line because it’s not just unethical, it’s illegal.
The face of a true hunter flushes red with anger when a vandal accused of shooting signs, mail boxes or any other sporadic act of ignorance is inaccurately tabbed as a “hunter.” Shooting signs is not hunting. Real hunters would never jeopardize their reputation for the misguided pleasure of destroying property, public or private.
As winter’s grip on the Midwest strengthens, another illegal activity not associated with any self-respecting ethical human becomes an occasional issue – chasing and harassing wildlife.
It’s understandable when a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle operator inadvertently flushes an animal from cover, such as a fox from the edge of a cattail slough. In such cases, the right thing to do is to take evasive action so any further disturbance is limited.
But sometimes, and I’m not sure what triggers the mind, a rider will flush a critter and give chase. Maybe the operator gets caught up in the moment and gives chase for a few meters before realizing it’s wrong and backs off. Then there’s the few who will continue the chase for a bit longer, “just to have a little fun” with the animal before veering off to resume their route.
The worst are those who set out with a purposeful intent to chase down rabbits, deer, fox or coyotes. It’s a sad, sick and despicable action that you hope would never happen, but it does.
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Sadly, to some this is an opportunity awaiting with their snowmobile or ATV
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Just as shooting of signs by vandals damages the reputations of hunters, chasing of wildlife by recreational vehicle operators damages the good-standing of thousands of others who enjoy snowmobiling or ATV riding and observing wildlife from a distance. They aren’t any more intent on disturbing animals than a stray cross-country skier sliding through a park and pausing to enjoy the sights and sounds of our winter wonderland, savoring a quick glimpse of a rabbit or white-tailed deer, and understanding just how difficult our winters are for both man and beast.
Some animals have a tough enough time surviving winter without being chased to exhaustion, or worse yet, intentionally run over.
Few will argue the need for prosecution of individuals who intentionally take part in such activities.
The problem – just as with hunting, fishing and trapping – is that those who ride legally and ethically are often lumped in with the proverbial bad apples.
This winter, whether you hunt, fish, ride or ski, enjoy the outdoors, and remember: if you observe somebody chasing wildlife, do your part by reporting the illegal activity to the proper authorities. Our wildlife, and our good reputations depend on it.
Leier is a biologist with the Game and Fish Dept. He can be reached via email: dleier@state.nd.us
Photo credits to the ND Game and Fish Department
