Ongoing drought conditions are pushing wildlife further into Prescott neighborhoods — and Arizona Game and Fish is reminding residents what to do when that happens.
According to department spokeswoman Stevie Kelso, prolonged dry conditions are forcing animals to travel farther in search of food and water, increasing the chances of coming face to face with everything from deer and coyotes to black bears and mountain lions.
Kelso says seeing wildlife in your neighborhood isn’t necessarily cause for alarm — but residents should eliminate anything that might attract animals, including unsecured trash, bird feeders, and standing water. If an animal is returning habitually or showing no fear of people, that’s when to call Game and Fish.
As for handling it yourself, Kelso says:
For rattlesnakes or other nuisance wildlife around the home, Kelso says to call your local animal control — not Game and Fish.