Last week, I received an email transmission from the Pennsylvania Game Commission that featured a list of things that citizens and landowners can do to benefit wildlife.

The first item on that list was “Let wildlife be wild.” Amen to that advice. Having grown up in the country with constant opportunities to watch wildlife literally in my own backyard, I learned two valuable life lessons early in life.

First, animals are not people with fur or feathers, and Mother Nature, beautiful as she may be, can be a cruel mistress in some situations.

We are entering the time of year when white-tailed deer give birth to their fawns. Does with fawns need plenty of nourishment to nurse their offspring properly.

Like most babies, young deer spend the majority of their days resting and sleeping. Therefore, finding a fawn hiding in cover is perfectly normal. Newborn fawns spend much of their time hiding during the day while their mothers are nearby feeding.

Many well-meaning folks assume the fawn is lost or deserted, so they take it away to “save” it. That, of course, is exactly the wrong thing to do. It should be left alone because the doe is probably nearby and likely even watching you steal it.

Taking the little deer away from its natural situation virtually ensures it will be forced into a lifetime in captivity, a terrible fate for a high-strung, free-ranging animal like a white-tailed deer.

Baby animals encountered in the wild are rarely abandoned. The best course of action is always to quietly leave the area and let nature take its course. Taking any animal or bird from the wild in Pennsylvania is also illegal and could result in fines of up to $1,500 per animal.

Under no circumstances will you be allowed to keep any wild animal. If you feel compelled to do something, contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission and let the professional wildlife managers handle it.

Another good reason for avoiding direct contact with wildlife is the possibly of contracting parasites like fleas, ticks or lice or, even worse, a disease.

Rabies is one of the worst threats from some species. Raccoons remain as the most common vector species for rabies in Pennsylvania, followed by skunks, foxes and bats, but all mammals are susceptible to the disease. A few years ago folks were bitten by rabid beavers in a park near Philadelphia.

Although rare, even deer and squirrels with rabies have been documented in Pennsylvania. The best practice is always “look — don’t touch” and enjoy wildlife for a distance. Let wildlife be wild.

Fish-For-Free

Can next weekend really be the Memorial Day weekend already? But indeed it is and with it comes the beginning of the summer recreation season for many folks.

Next Sunday, May 25, marks the first of two scheduled for 2025 here in Pennsylvania when no fishing license is required to fish on any waters of the state on this day.

If your plans for the holiday weekend include spending time outdoors near the water, a Fish-For-Free day is a great time to introduce a friend or family member to fishing.

Many are fishermen like me who buy a fishing license every year and spend many days fishing each season.

Some anglers fish occasionally but not necessarily every year, and others have fished in the past but have since quit for various reasons. And one very large group of folks are those who have never fished, but many of whom would be interested in trying fishing.

A Fish-For-Free day can be a great way to introduce or reintroduce someone to the sport of fishing. Of course, kids under 16 years old don’t need a fishing license to fish in Pennsylvania, so any day is a great day to take a youngster fishing.

Teaching others to fish has the potential to give the continuing gift of a wholesome form of outdoor recreation, something that could potentially be a satisfying lifetime hobby.

And for those who will be taking advantage of one of the free fishing days, remember that only the license requirement is waived. All other fishing laws and regulations are still in effect and must be complied with. Bass season doesn’t open until June 14, but all other species of game fish are currently in season.

If you intend to keep your catch, make sure you know the size and creel limits that apply to the water where you are fishing. Those regulations can be found online at fishandboat.com or a summary of the fishing laws and regulations can be obtained at any fishing license issuing agent.