Wildlife viewing tips

We’re fortunate in Wyoming to be able to see wildlife almost any time we wish, with deer walking down our streets and fields full of antelope just about everywhere, but what if you want even more?

Spring and fall, of course, are the best viewing times for all sorts of wildlife, with early mornings and evenings near dusk when animals are feeding or visiting water sources as prime times to see them.

In the spring you can see all the new babies and if you return to the same spots, you may get lucky in the fall and see how much the little ones have grown over the summer.

So how do you view wildlife?

If you’re not really sure where you can go, a good resource is a Fish and Wildlife map that shows public areas. You can also go to recreation.gov to find a spot.

If you’ve picked your spot, there are a few things to know before heading out.

First, leave your pets at home. Wild animals have extreme senses of smell and will be able to sniff out your pet from a long way away, leaving you empty handed.

Second, once you’ve chosen your viewing area, pick a spot and stay still. Their sense of hearing will note anything unusual and if they get close to you and you move, spooking them, there they go.

Another thing to keep in mind if you’re going to go out is to wear earthtones of brown, black or green to blend in better with your surroundings. There are shirts and pants available in wilderness camoflauge that are a great help in keeping you hidden.

Of course, if you’re going out at any time, but especially if it is close to hunting season, be sure to wear a blaze orange or neon pink hat to keep from being mistaken for an animal hiding in brush or tall grass.

Don’t wear perfumes, scented lotions and consider an unscented deodorant, too. Again, an animal’s sense of smell will catch a whif of you and stay far away.

There are some common sense things to follow as well if you plan on viewing wildlife, like never feeding them, no matter how cute you think they are. These are wild animals and they are completely unpredictable.

It should go without saying, but don’t interfere if the animals are mating, hunting for prey or any other natural behavior. Always keep a respectful distance and above all, leave no trace behind when you go home.

But what do you do if you just want some wildlife to visit your backyard?

Its fairly easy to get birds to make your house their favorite stop on the block by adding a few simple things like bird baths and bird feeders.

If you’re wanting humming birds to single out your backyard, the best thing to do is plant things they love. They are most attracted to blooms in orange, red and pink, and their favorites are azaleas, bee balm and columbine.

Make sure your plants bloom all summer by ‘deadheading’ your blossoms, that is, nipping off the dead blooms to promote new blooms.

You can even do something as simple as attaching bright orange ribbon to your fence or deck so they can see the color fluttering in the breeze as they fly.

Feeding hummers is easy, too.

Feeders are generally bright red to attract the birds and the liquid in the feeders is cheap and easy to make – one part sugar to four parts boiling water, stir and let cool before pouring into your feeder.

No bird can resist a mister, a little attachment to your drip system that mists water into the air. They’ll fly in, take a cool shower and hang around to eat from your feeders.

It may sound a little creepy, but don’t get rid of those spider webs around your yard. Humming birds primarily use spider webs to build their nests.

Butterflies love all kinds of wildflowers and putting up a bat box will ensure the night flyers get rid of all those bad bugs.

You might add some kind of cover for animals to hide from predators, rest or just get out of the sun on hot days, too.

Any way you want to do it, whether in the wild or from your back porch, there are lots of ways to see Wyoming’s wonderful wildlife.