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N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The state Game & Fish Department is informing residents on what they can do to help alleviate stress on wildlife during this or any winter.

Earlier this year, the department released information on wildlife being stressed during one of the toughest winters in recent memory. Game & Fish Biologist Doug Leier.

In a release, the Game & Fish Department has asked for snowmobile riders to stay clear of wildlife and wildlife areas.

New concerns have arose as citizens have reported their worries on wildlife feeding this winter. Kevin Kading, private land section leader for the State Game and Fish Department, said harsh winters often generate conversations and questions about feeding wildlife, particularly deer and pheasants.

“The Department does not promote winter feeding and does not have a winter feeding program,” Kading said. “We recognize that many people care deeply about wildlife and it can be difficult to watch nature play out, but feeding operations, good intentions and all, can actually do more harm for wildlife than good.”

Wildlife rarely die from starvation in severe winters, Kading said, but it’s not uncommon for animals to die in these extreme conditions from exposure to cold weather. Therefore, Game and Fish promotes habitat development that can provide critical winter thermal cover, and food plots should be considered and planted near adequate winter cover.

Visit the Game & Fish Department’s website at www.gf.nd.gov for more information.