Late spring and early summer are often the times when the public most often comes in contact with young wildlife. State officials caution that taking pity on these animals and taking steps to help them often is not the best solution.

People assume, in many cases, that a young animal out on its own has been orphaned or abandoned by its parent, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife says.

That is generally not the case.

The parents of wild animals can not hire baby-sitters, and if the adult goes off to feed, it must leave its offspring for a period of time. Wild youngsters can get into trouble when well-meaning people find them, pick them up, bring them home, and attempt to raise them – which is illegal – or transport them to a wildlife rehabilitator.

The DIFW points out that if a wild animal has been injured or is known to be orphaned (for example, if its mother has been hit by a car), it is legal to assist the animal by bringing it to a wildlife center or a rehabilitator.

In most cases, however, the best solution is to leave wild animals where they are, so the mother can find it upon her return.

The DIFW’s “If You Care, Leave Them There” campaign is designed to help well-meaning people understand that their actions may not be the best for the animals they encounter.

DU launches fair chase program

Ducks Unlimited and conservation groups have joined in an attempt to raise sportsmanship awareness.

The “Hunt Fair Chase” program is a national campaign designed to foster the importance of good hunter ethics by all members of the hunting community, according to George A. Bettas, executive director of the Boone and Crockett Club.

DU is among the first sponsors to promote ethics through the Hunt Fair Chase program.

Hunt Fair Chase allows the hunter to pursue game using hunting skills, knowledge of wildlife and outdoor savvy, without putting the game animal at an unfair disadvantage.

The principles of fair chase encourage hunters to show respect to landowners and managers, to respect wildlife, to obey game laws, to be courteous to other hunters and those who don’t hunt, to clearly identify your target, and to remain ethical and safe at all times.

For more information about the Hunt Fair Chase campaign, call (406) 542-1888 or go to the Web site at www.huntfairchase.com.

To submit an item for publication in the Outdoor Notebook, send e-mail to jholyoke@bangordailynews.net, fax to 990-8092 or mail information to Outdoor Notebook, Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor, Maine, 04402-1329.