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         The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources reminds people to “leave young wildlife alone.” It’s the time of year when the woods and fields of West Virginia abound with new life. If you are involved in outdoor recreation activities, do your part to ensure the survival of young wildlife by remembering the motto: “look, but do not touch or disturb.”

            Picking up baby wildlife or getting too close and disturbing the family unit greatly increases the chance that the offspring may become part of Mother Nature’s food chain. If you come across young wildlife in your outdoor travels, do not touch or disturb them. If you want to watch, do so from a safe distance with the aid of binoculars.

            If you find young wildlife that are alone and you think they may have been abandoned, please remember that the mother is probably out gathering food. It takes a lot of energy to raise offspring, so the mother must leave to get enough food for her and the babies. This could take a few hours or all day, but the mother knows where her young are and she will always come back. Humans are poor substitute parents for wild animals. Young wildlife has special diets and they need to learn survival skills from their mothers, things people cannot duplicate. By observing wildlife at a safe distance with binoculars, you can learn how wild animals care for their young in a natural environment without compromising the animals’ safety.

            The DNR receives more calls about abandoned fawns than any other wildlife. Unfortunately, many people often mistake a bedded fawn, with no mother in sight, as abandoned. Remember, not moving is an important defense tactic of fawns. Their spot pattern, coloration and lack of scent make the fawn difficult for predators to detect. If a predator comes by, the fawn will freeze until the threat has passed, or it will wait until the very last moment to flee to safety if spotted. Fawns should always be left undisturbed. If you are certain that the fawn’s mother is unable to care for it or has been killed, call your local DNR office, conservation officer, or wildlife manager.

            Another reason for not picking up wildlife is that diseases, parasites, and other health related risks are greatly increased with captive wild animals. Parasite transmission between pets and wild animals could result in the death of one or both animals. Rabies, roundworms and other parasites such as lice and ticks are transmitted to both pets and humans. Roundworms can cause blindness, paralysis, and even death in humans.

            As a final incentive, please remember that state laws and regulations prohibit possession of wild animals without a permit. Fines for illegal possession of a fawn deer, black bear cub, baby raccoon, squirrel, or any other species taken or possessed during the closed season, range from $20up to a maximum of $1,000 and/or up to 100 days in jail.

            The Division of Natural Resources wants you to enjoy nature’s bounty of beautiful and exciting wildlife in West Virginia. However, for your own health and safety and for the animals’ welfare, please remember that young wild animals should stay wild

         The West Virginia Muzzleloaders Association will host a benefit muzzleloader shoot near Beverly, Randolph County on Saturday, May 17, to benefit the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) Program, according to Association President Stan Reed.

            “We have held this event for years in order to benefit the very deserving Hunters Helping the Hungry Program,” said Reed. “All entrance fee monies, donations, and silent auction funds will go toward the HHH Program. We encourage muzzleloaders and others from around the state to come to Beverly and participate in or watch this fun event, allowing the Muzzleloaders Association to assist the neediest of West Virginians.”

            The event will be held at the Tygart Valley Muzzleloader Range, located 6 miles up Files Creek Road (CR 37-8), which begins in the Town of Beverly. The range is only ¼ mile past the Isaac Walton League Clubhouse. The event will start at 10 a.m. and end at approximately 2 p.m. Because it is a covered range, the event will be held rain or shine. A limited supply of lunch sandwiches will be available at the range, but participants are also advised to pack their own snacks. Participants may use any muzzleloader that’s legal in West Virginia (including scoped muzzleloaders) and will shoot at 25, 50 and 100 yards. As this event is similar to an “Old-time Blanket Shoot,” all participants are encouraged to bring prizes worth approximately $10, with winners selecting prizes first. “If participants wishing to be included in the prize swap cannot bring an approximately $10-value prize, a $10 bill will work,” said Reed. “The point of the event is just to have fun and raise money for the HHH Program.”

            “On behalf of the HHH Program, we are delighted the West Virginia Muzzleloaders Association will once again host this event to benefit needy West Virginians,” said HHH Program Coordinator Jerry Westfall. “Although the program accepts legally-harvested deer donated during the hunting season, it is also dependent on monetary donations to offset the costs of venison collection, processing, warehousing, and distribution. Without the active participation of organizations such as the West Virginia Muzzleloaders Association, the HHH Program could not exist.”

            Those wishing more information on the West Virginia Muzzleloader Association – HHH Program Benefit Muzzleloader Shoot are encouraged to call Association President Stan Reed at (304) 265-4146. The HHH Program also accepts monetary donations year round. For more information on the HHH Program or to make a donation, visit online www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/HHH.shtm or call (304) 558-2771.