Coexisting With Wildlife This Winter

As the seasons transform into fall and then winter, City of St. Albert residents will notice changes in the behavior of local wildlife as they start preparing for the long winter ahead. Animals begin to look for denning sites, gather extra food, and in the case of larger mammals, search for a mate. Read below for more information and helpful tips on coexisting with our wildlife neighbours.

Skunks

Skunks are found throughout the city and are important for keeping insect and rodent populations under control. They do not hibernate in winter but will den with other skunks to keep warm and become inactive in the coldest months.

To keep skunks from denning in your yard, remove all sources of food and shelter by:

• Clearing brush piles, stacked lumber or debris piles from your property.
• Closing spaces beneath sheds, decks, porches and front steps. Ensure there are no skunks in the space before doing this.
• Storing garbage, compost and recycling in lidded containers.
• Feeding pets indoors and storing pet food inside.

If a skunk gets trapped in your window well, place a wide plank into the window well and allow the skunk time and space to climb out.

The information above is also applicable for preventing many different species of wildlife from calling your yard home including porcupines, rabbits, hares and raccoons.

Moose

As fall approaches, moose (and deer) enter a period called the rut, which is their mating season. During this time, males become aggressive, unpredictable and can be more frequently seen throughout the city as they search for a mate. 

Moose are mostly solitary animals and tend to avoid humans and other animals, but during their mating season (late September to late October) the bulls can become quite aggressive towards humans. Male and female moose will often be heard bellowing for a mate, so it is best to remove yourself from an area if you hear those sounds. A moose that is feeling threatened will tend to lower its head and flatten its ears before charging, which are clear signs that you should leave the area immediately.  

If you encounter a moose, stay calm and do not try to scare the moose away. Leave the area as soon as possible in the opposite direction of where the moose is. If you are charged, run away as fast as you can and try to find something to hide behind, like a building or car. Make sure to always keep pets on a leash to keep them safe from wildlife. 

Deer

Deer will normally flee from humans, but in their rut season from October to November, they may become unpredictable and more active throughout areas in St. Albert. If you encounter deer, keep your distance and find another route to your destination.

During the rut period, the risk of vehicles collisions with deer is higher. This is especially true on roads bordered by trees, roads around major waterbodies such as the Sturgeon River and Big Lake, and during sunrise and sunset. When driving, be vigilant of your surroundings and slow down to minimize the chance of a collision. Make sure to pay attention to wildlife warning signs and drive accordingly. On Ray Gibbon Drive, watch for the lit yellow wildlife signs indicating extra caution should be taken.

If you have a deer in your yard, or wish to prevent deer from entering your yard, you can take the following steps:

• Do not allow children or pets into the yard while the deer is present.
• Do not allow your dog to bark or antagonize the deer.
• Never feed deer. Remove all food sources that may attract them, including fallen fruit and bird seed.
• Plant deer-resistant plants to prevent feeding.
• Allow the deer time to leave the yard on its own.

Interested in learning more?

Find other helpful information about wildlife at albertaparks.ca

Want to stay informed?

Receive weekly updates by subscribing to City Highlights

---

Related Pages

Wild About Wildlife Information Sessions ›

City Wildlife ›

Environment ›