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Living in Harmony with Wildlife II with illustration by resident Mary Beth L’Abbe

TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIVING IN HARMONY WITH WILDLIFE i
LIABILITY DISCLAIMER ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS iii
INTRODUCTION 1
PHYSIOGRAPHIC SETTING 2
VEGETATION / HABITAT TYPES PRESENT 2
THE WILDLIFE COMMUNITY 3
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS 3
BIRDS OF CASTLE PINES VILLAGE 3
LARGE MAMMALS 7
TERRESTRIAL PREDATORS 7
OTHER MAMMALS 7
ETIQUETTE OF WATCHING AND PHOTOGRAPHING WILDLIFE 8
LARGE MAMMALS WINTER RANGE 8
WILDLIFE MOVEMENT CORRIDORS 9
AVOIDING WILDLIFE ON ROADWAYS 10
AVOIDING WILDLIFE ON HIGHWAYS 10
ELK CALVING 10
FENCING 11
PETS/ANIMAL CONTROL 11
MOUNTAIN LIONS 11
BLACK BEARS 14
BOBCATS 17
WILDLIFE CONFLICTS 17
DEALING WITH WILDLIFE 18
DEER AND ELK 18
WOODPECKERS 18
SKUNKS 18
PORCUPINES 19
RACCOONS 19
BATS 19
COYOTES: BRIEF LIFE HISTORY 19
WHAT TO DO IF YOU LIVE IN COYOTE COUNTRY 20
FEEDING WILDLIFE POLICIES 20
LANDSCAPING CHALLENGES 20
ENFORCEMENT 21
EMERGENCY & RESOURCE PHONE NUMBERS 22
BIBLIOGRAPHY 23

INTRODUCTION
“When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”  Aldo Leopold

Castle Pines Village is a private residential community dedicated to a lifestyle in balance with nature. It has been blessed with scenic vistas, dramatic natural beauty, and an abundance of wildlife from the deer and elk that grace our open space to the wild birds and water fowl that fill the skies.
This is the environment Castle Pines Village is committed to preserving—an environment as natural and spectacular as its home sites and amenities.
“Millions upon millions of friendly living things crowd the soil,…the spaces under leaves, and in the sunny openings in the forest.”  Ansel Adams

Wildlife
The almost 2,800 acres of Castle Pines Village comprise a diverse and lively community. Homeowners have as neighbors large, resident elk and deer herds, red fox, beaver, cottontail rabbits, owls, hawks, and various species of songbirds.
Castle Pines Village continues to work closely with wildlife biologists and plant specialist to preserve important wildlife habitats and migration corridors. In coordination with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, a wildlife management plan has been created and put in place. Significant steps have been taken to accommodate the existing and future needs of wildlife. The result is an abundance of wildlife to enjoy from a respectful distance. Part of the privilege, responsibility, and stewardship that you have assumed by living in Castle Pines Village is avoiding conflicts with wildlife.

“Bathed in such beauty, watching the expressions ever varying on the faces of the mountains, watching the stars…the waters and winds and birds, would be endless pleasure.” John Muir

Preservation and Conservation
Native vegetation present in the Castle Pines area includes ponderosa pine, gamble oak, serviceberry, currant, mountain mahogany, and chokecherry, along with mid-grass prairie habitat. This is the environment Castle Pines Village has inherited and is the environment the Village is dedicated to preserve.
To maintain the natural character of the land, developers of the community have designated a significant amount of acreage to remain as open space. These spaces have been preserved for the enjoyment of all property owners. Homes are sited to avoid damage to the primary habitats and movement corridors of wildlife. Building envelopes ensure protection of vegetation cover and fencing is restricted to minimize disturbance to wildlife.

A Village Wildlife Committee has been established and is charged with advising the Homes Association Board regarding the comprehensive wildlife protection plan.

PHYSIOGRAPHIC SETTING
Castle Pines Village’s properties extend over a broad elevation band (approximately 6,100 – 6,700 feet) that includes a variety of soil types, moisture regimes, and microclimates. Its almost 2,800 acres support a wide variety of wildlife species. The USDA classifies our state as a hardiness Zone 5, which implies plants that can withstand minimum temperatures of -20° to -10° are able to grow and thrive.

Temperatures range from an average daily max of 64.2° to an average daily minimum of 35.8° for a monthly average of 50°. The annual normal rain fall is 15.81 inches and the annual normal snow fall is 61.7 inches.

VEGETATION / HABITAT TYPES PRESENT
Wildlife is dependent upon biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) variables. Examples of biotic factors are prey, vegetation and natural predators. Abiotic factors include water, soil types, weather and terrain. A discrete set of these characters that an animal may respond to over a day, season, or year is termed its habitat. An area that supports a greater diversity of vegetation/habitat types typically supports a greater variety of wildlife. Habitat diversity is often used to predict wildlife diversity. The Castle Pines Village properties support several major vegetation types which include ponderosa pine habitat intermixed with scrub oak habitat, mid-grass prairie habitat, and former cultivated agricultural lands.

The waters nearest to Castle Pines Village are Plum Creek and the South Platte River. Castle Pines is located in an area known as the Chatfield Basin.

THE WILDLIFE COMMUNITY
Based on Castle Pines Village’s large acreage, vegetation and the habitat types present, numerous species of wildlife can be expected to be seen on the property over the course of a single year.

The following is a list of some of the more common, high interest, and more representative species that occur on-site and the times of year that they are most common.

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
Tiger Salamander (resident, hibernates) Wandering Garter Snake (resident, hibernates)
Woodhouse’s toad Bull snake
Wood frog Prairie rattlesnake

BIRDS
LEGEND
W - WINTER S – SUMMER N – NESTS IN VILLAGE
M - MIGRANT Y - YEAR ROUND
R – RARE O - OCCASSIONAL
(Names of some frequently seen species appear in capital letters.)

GEESE
Y CANADA GOOSE S Turkey Vulture
Y Mallard
EAGLES & HAWKS
W Bald Eagle Y RED-TAILED HAWK (resident)
W Northern Harrier M,R Ferruginous Hawk
Y Sharp-shinned Hawk W Rough-legged Hawk
Y Cooper’s Hawk Y Golden Eagle
S Swainson’s Hawk
FALCONS
Y American Kestrel
PLOVERS
• Killdeer
DOVES
S MOURNING DOVE
OWLS
Y,N GREAT HORNED OWL (resident) Y, R Northern Saw-whet Owl
S Burrowing Owl (possibly in prairie dog town)
GOATSUCKERS
S Common Nighthawk S Poorwill (possible in scrub oak)
HUMMINGBIRDS
S BROAD-TAILED HUMMINGBIRD S, M Calliope Hummingbird (infrequent)
S, M RUFOUS HUMMINGBIRD
KINGFISHERS
Y Belted Kingfisher
WOODPECKERS
Y,N DOWNY WOODPECKER Y,N NORTHERN FLICKER
Y,N HAIRY WOODPECKER
SWALLOWS
S,N Violet Green S Barn
S Tree
FLYCATCHERS
S Western Wood-Pewee
VIREOS
S Plumbeous Vireo S Warbling Vireo
LARKS
M Horned Lark
JAYS, MAGPIES & CROWS
Y STELLER’S JAY Y BLACK-BILLED MAGPIE
M Blue Jay Y Raven
Y WESTERN SCRUB JAY Y AMERICAN CROW
TITMICE
Y BLACK CAPPED CHICKADEE W, M MOUNTAIN CHICKADEE
NUTHATCHES
Y WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH W Red Breasted Nuthatch
Y PYGMY NUTHATCH
CREEPERS
W Brown Creeper
WRENS
S, N HOUSE WREN M Rock Wren
KINGLETS & GNATCATCHERS
S, N Blue-gray Gnatcatcher M Ruby-Crowned Kinglet
SOLITAIRES & THRUSHES
S WESTERN BLUEBIRD
S MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
W Townsend’s Solitaire
Y AMERICAN ROBIN
STARLING
Y European Starling
WARBLERS
M Yellow-Rumped Warbler S Virginia Warbler (possible in scrub oak)
TANAGERS
M, R Western Tanager
GROSBEAKS & BUNTINGS
M, R Rose-breasted Grosbeak
S BLACK-HEADED GROSBEAK
S, R Lazuli Bunting
TOWHEES & SPARROWS
M Green-tailed Towhee M White-Crowned Sparrow
Y SPOTTED TOWHEE W American Tree Sparrow
S Chipping Sparrow Y House Sparrow
Y SONG SPARROW S Vesper Sparrow
W, M DARK-EYED JUNCO (seen when snow is on ground)
BLACKBIRDS & ORIOLES
Y RED-WINGED BLACKBIRD S Brown-headed Cowbird
Y WESTERN MEADOWLARK
FINCHES
M Cassins’s Finch W PINE SISKIN
Y HOUSE FINCH S LESSER GOLDFINCH
Y, R Red Crossbill (Irregular) Y AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
M Evening Grossbeak
Wild Turkey

LARGE MAMMALS
Elk (resident year-round, mostly visible fall through spring)
Black Bear (resident year-round [hibernates November-April])
Mule Deer (resident year-round)
White-tailed deer (resident-year-round; found near riparian wetland areas)
Mountain Lion (resident)

TERRESTRIAL PREDATORS
Coyote (resident) Red Fox (resident)
Bobcat (resident) Mountain Lion (resident)
Black Bear (resident, omnivores – 90% of diet is plant matter)

OTHER MAMMALS
Little Brown Bat (summer) Prairie Vole (resident)
Nuttall’s Cottontail (resident) Raccoon (resident)
Fox squirrel (and 13 other types of ground squirrels) Wood Rats (Pack Rats)
Porcupine Black Tailed Prairie Dog
Least Chipmunk (resident, hibernates) Wandering Shrew (resident)
Northern Pocket Gopher (resident) Ermine (resident)
Deer Mouse (resident) Striped Skunk (resident)
Western Jumping Mouse (resident) Badger (resident)

ETIQUETTE OF WATCHING AND PHOTOGRAPHING WILDLIFE
Listed below are some tips which should increase your success at watching wildlife. First, remember that wildlife is indeed wild and you need to keep your distance. Should you move in too close they will run or fly away or attack. While you may be able to stand motionless next to a hummingbird at a feeder, deer or elk may run away if you approach within 200 yards. You can often reduce your distance from wildlife using binoculars, a spotting scope, a telephoto lens, or a blind. A blind doesn’t need to be a camouflaged tree stand that you must sit in motionless for hours in subfreezing temperatures. Your car can be a blind, but your best and most convenient blind is your house. Birds can be attracted to your house with feeders and nest boxes.

If you are anxious to observe wildlife, start early in the morning. Wildlife is generally most active during the few hours before dawn. You might even catch a glimpse of some nocturnal animals that are still out. Dusk can be another good viewing time. During warm summer days, most wildlife are less active around mid-day, from about 11 AM to 4 PM. In winter, animals such as deer and elk may shift their activities toward the middle of the day. It is not unusual for elk to start feeding around 2:30 PM and continue until after dark.

Please respect the animals. You are intruding into their habitat. Winter is a critical period when deer and elk are concentrated and feeding on a limited food supply that supports fewer animals per acre during the winter than it can support during the summer months. Don’t follow an animal that is moving away from you. If you have stopped your car too close to a herd of elk, or if you have approached several deer so closely that the animals are watching you, the amount of forage they are not consuming is that much less then they will have to make it through the winter. You may notice that all other factors being equal, you can approach large mammals more closely in winter than during other seasons. The disturbance is the same, but the animals cannot energetically afford to run away at every minor disturbance because they need to maintain their fat supply. Animals staring at you are also nervous. They have elevated heart and respiratory rates which are an additional energy expenditure. These energetic losses add up over winter and can make the difference animal survival and death.

LARGE MAMMALS WINTER RANGE
The Castle Pines area has a resident elk herd of more than 400 animals. The herd is sedentary; i.e. it does not migrate during the different seasons, but inhabits the open space areas near Castle Pines year-round. Large portions of Castle Pines Village are considered winter range for deer and elk. Winter range is simply defined as the area used by deer and elk between December 15 and March 15, but it is much more complex. The most important winter range generally occurs on lower elevation south-facing slopes. This is where the temperature and solar regimes result in shallower snow depths and where more accessible forage is available. These slopes also support mountain shrub communities (serviceberry, bitterbrush, chokecherry, etc.) which stick up above the snow and which are relatively nutritious..

Winter range also consists of three different components, all of which must occur within the daily range of deer and elk. These components are foraging areas, bedding/cover areas, and the movement corridors between them. Foraging areas must not only support suitable vegetation, they must also be secluded from human disturbances and, therefore, available for animals to use. Bedding areas are where animals rest during the day and night. These areas are usually within conifer stands, such as ponderosa pine, where microclimates (especially temperatures) are warmer as a result of reduced wind velocities and the pine branches reradiating some of the warmth back toward the animals. Conifer stands also provide cover, where big game can escape and hide from predators, including humans. Unrestricted and relatively short movement corridors must be available between bedding/cover areas and foraging areas for both to be used.

Large mammal winter ranges are the most important, and yet the smallest, of any of their seasonal ranges. While deer and elk put on large fat reserves for the winter, they also have much higher energetic costs associated with migrating to and from winter ranges, staying warm, avoiding predators, mating and supporting a developing fetus. Winter forage is also of poor quality and quite limiting compared to that available during summer. During most “normal” winters (with average temperatures and snowfall) the animals just barely survive with a few weeks fat reserves to spare.

Any increased energy demands on large mammals during winter can make the difference between survival until spring, whether or not calves and fawns will be carried until the spring and whether or not they will survive once born. In winter range large mammals are more concentrated and feeding on a more limited food supply that supports less animals per acre during the winter than it can support during the summer. During severe winters the loss associated with only a few instances of deer being chased by stray dogs or being chased off roads or feeding areas by people approaching too closely, is enough to result in a deer starving before spring arrives or being too weak to avoid a predator.

During the development stages of Castle Pines Village, native vegetation, specifically large trees and shrubs were preserved where possible to aid in leaving pockets of habitat around the residential areas. Movement corridors were also preserved throughout the development and the golf course was developed in a manner that allows it to be used by wildlife and is one of the larger movement corridors within Castle Pines.

WILDLIFE MOVEMENT CORRIDORS
Viable wildlife movement corridors permit animals to move between local components of a particular habitat, such as between foraging and bedding areas on winter range, as well as between distant seasonal ranges. Without intervening corridors, individual pockets of winter range, unable to support the number of animals present, would soon be overgrazed, ultimately resulting in a reduction of the herd.

In Castle Pines Village, corridors are required for the daily movements of resident deer, elk, and small mammals. Existing movement patterns were oriented both on north-south and east-west directions. After movement patterns were discerned in the field, adequate portions of these continuous corridors were incorporated into the development. The result of the planning effort was that a number of viable, existing large mammal movement corridors have been preserved through Castle Pines Village’s properties.

When moving between habitat types, large mammals, especially deer and elk, generally attempt to take the path of least resistance between the connected habitats, and landforms influence specific movement routes and corridors. Steep ridges contain several saddles, low points on the ridge. It is easier for animals to cross through these saddles than to climb the adjacent ridges or contour around them. These saddles, therefore, function as movement funnels, where animal movements are more concentrated than elsewhere. If you look closely, you can see the trails leading through such passes, cut by deer and elk over the years.

AVOIDING WILDLIFE ON ROADWAYS
One large obstacle that both elk and deer face when moving between Castle Pines Village and the open space properties to the west of Castle Pines is Daniel’s Park Road. Deer and elk move through this area year round.

Slow down and be alert. If you see a deer that has just run across the road, slow down and look around. There may be more animals that will blindly follow the leader. Elk are generally easier to spot because they are larger and may travel in larger groups. If you see such a group by the side of the road that seems to want to cross (for example, they are staring across the road), give them a break. Pull to the side of the road as far away from them as possible and wait for them to cross. Older cows are generally the leaders in an elk herd and the first elk you will usually see. Be patient; you may get to see a big bull at the end of the group.

AVOIDING WILDLIFE ON HIGHWAYS
Avoiding deer and elk on roads is a matter of being aware the animals are out there, the times of the year and of the day when crossings are more frequent, and driving defensively. Deer and elk will cross roads in Douglas County year-round, but they are present in larger number at lower elevations and cross roads more frequently during spring and fall migration and winter range occupancy. Drivers should be particularly careful on local roads and highways from mid-November to mid-May. Large Mammals and predators are most likely to cross roads from around dusk until dawn. This is also the time of day when visibility is the poorest. One mile north of Highway 85 on Daniel’s Park Road is a heavily used wildlife crossing, so be particularly careful in that area.

Drive defensively with deer in mind, obey posted speed limits, and recognize that those deer crossing signs were put up for a reason. Be aware that headlights temporarily blind and confuse animals, causing them to move erratically and unpredictably. If you see wildlife on or near the road at night, slow down and look around. There are probably more animals. The deer you may be watching intently trot off the left side of the road may be followed by a deer approaching the road’s right shoulder.

ELK CALVING
Elk calve in the open space properties to the west of Castle Pines Village. Calving habitat consists of two components: (1) parturition habitat, where birth and the calf’s 2-7 day seclusion period occurs (calves are born scentless and with camouflaged coloration; their anti-predator “strategy” is to lie motionless in dense vegetation and hide while the cow is out grazing), and (2) calf-rearing habitat, where calves and cows congregate in nursery groups after the seclusion period. The peak of calving, when 90% or more of the calves are born, is the last week in May and the first week in June. There is little annual variation in these dates.

FENCING
Fencing that is incompatible with wildlife movements can result in wildlife mortality, restricted or blocked migration corridors, and reduced habitat availability. The type and distribution of fencing permitted around Castle Pines Village considers the needs of wildlife. Fencing approval is under the control of the Design Review Committee. Homeowners who install fencing that is incompatible with wildlife movements without Committee approval will be formally notified to remove it. A fine, lien, and additional legal action will result from prompt noncompliance.

Perimeter fencing is prohibited on individual home sites to allow wildlife to utilize as much of their former habitats as possible. This also permits a more intimate homeowner-wildlife experience

PETS/ANIMAL CONTROL
Dogs, domestic cats, and other smaller, indoor pets (e.g., parakeets, gerbils, guinea pigs, etc.) are the only types of pets permitted at Castle Pines Village. Free-ranging (stray) dogs and other pets frequently constitute a menace to local wildlife. Dogs and cats have retained a great deal of their hunting instincts and will exhibit them when left to fend for themselves. A recent study suggested that household cats left to roam outside kill an average of 400 million songbirds a year in the United States. Large dogs will form packs that chase, injure, and kill deer and elk.

To minimize the hazard that pets pose to the wildlife community, Castle Pines Village has suggested the following guidelines:

1. For the most part, dogs should be kept inside residences and allowed outside only on a leash under the direct control of its owner or authorized representative.
2. Dogs should not be permitted to roam uncontrolled at any time.
3. Visitors should be discouraged from bringing dogs on-site.
4. Dogs and cats should not be fed outside. Pet food will attract bears and other wildlife creating, at least, a nuisance. You could be attracting predators to your home.

MOUNTAIN LIONS

MOUNTAIN LION LIFE HISTORY INFORMATION
Mountain lions are present year-round on the Castle Pines Village properties, but may be more common during the spring due to an increase in deer and elk numbers due to fawning and calving. In other areas of Colorado, where subdivisions have encroached upon mountain lion habitat containing high concentrations of prey species, encounters between lions, humans and their pets and livestock have increased. Like any wildlife, mountain lions can be dangerous; however, with a better understanding of their life history and role in the ecosystem, humans can coexist with these magnificent predators.

Mountain lions vary in size and weight, with males being larger than females. Adult males may be more than eight feet in length (tip of nose to tip of tail) and weigh an average of 150 pounds. Adult females may be up to seven feet long and weigh an average of 90 pounds. Lions are generally solitary animals, with the exception of females with kittens. They are most active at night, but can be active at any time of day.
The favorite prey of mountain lions is mule deer, although they will also kill elk, porcupines, smaller animals, from coyotes to mice, and a variety of domestic animals, including pets. Lions prefer to kill their own prey, only infrequently scavenging carcasses. Like most cats, they ambush their prey from close range rather than by long pursuit. After spotting prey, a lion will stalk it using available cover, before attacking in a quick rush, usually from behind. Lions kill prey by breaking the neck with a powerful bite below the skull from behind the animal. They will then drag the carcass to a protected area beneath a tree or overhang and feed on it over the period of a few days. They cover the carcass with grass, branches, and duff after feeding and may move the carcass between feedings. Lions feeding on a kill can be dangerous. After feeding, they will often move off a short distance to where they can see and defend the carcass.
Lions can breed throughout the year, but most females give birth to two or three kittens between April and July following a three month gestation period. The female is solely responsible for the care of the kittens and will vigorously defend them from male lions and other perceived threats. When the young are about six weeks old, the female begins taking them to her kills to feed. Kittens remain with their mother for about eighteen months, improving their hunting skills. It can be a tough life for young lions recently on their own that have not yet perfected their hunting behavior or established, and become familiar with, their own territories. These animals often take less formidable prey and can be aggressive toward humans.

LIVING WITH MOUNTAIN LIONS
Mountain lions are shy, quiet, and elusive large cats. Typically, mountain lions avoid humans. Although you live in mountain lion habitat, the chances are you will never encounter a lion. Most field biologists and even some lion biologists will go their entire lives without seeing a free-roaming lion. However, you can reduce the small risk of potential problems with mountain lions if you respect them and their habitat, and if you follow some common sense precautions. Remember, you have moved into lion habitat and you have the responsibility of living with them!

Use native grasses, shrubs, and trees in your landscaping plan that are unpalatable or less palatable to deer (discussed at length in the landscaping section). Planting palatable forage will attract deer into your yard. Predators may follow.
With the exception of bird feeders, the feeding, baiting, salting (i.e., salt or mineral blocks), or other means of attracting wildlife to individual yards or development facilities is prohibited on Castle Pines Village properties. Regular and predictable deer use of an area can attract lions. Lions that associate humans with food or that appear to lose their fear of man are generally the most dangerous animals of all. A lion that becomes a nuisance or threat to human life or property, even in its own habitat, is usually destroyed. Regardless of how benevolent a person’s intentions, feeding hurts wildlife, creating an unnatural behavior that disrupts the natural balance. Ultimately, it is usually the animals that suffer.

Free-roaming pets are prohibited on Castle Pines Village properties. They are also easy prey for lions and other local predators Don’t feed pets outside. Pet food will attract foxes, raccoons, and other wildlife to your home that are prey for lions. Wildlife attracted to unsecured garbage or compost piles can also attract lions and other predators.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A MOUNTAIN LION
It is rare for even field biologists to see a mountain lion in the wild, and then it is usually only a brief distant glimpse. Even if you are in an area with a lion, it will almost always detect you and move off without you ever knowing. A Colorado lion researcher recently estimated that the probability of being attacked by a lion in the state is approximately 1:425,000,000. This risk is about equal to being killed by falling space debris. You should not be alarmed about living in lion country or lose any sleep over it, but you should know what to do if you have the privilege of encountering a lion.

It is theoretically safer to hike through lion country if you are part of a group. If you are alone, making plenty of noise will reduce your chances of surprising a lion, but it will also reduce your chances of seeing any wildlife and it will detract from the outdoor experience.

If you are out hiking and you find what you think might be a lion kill (a carcass, partly eaten, and at least partly covered by branches and other local debris, usually scraped in from all sides of the carcass), leave immediately the way you came. Back out of the area slowly and quietly, constantly scanning 180 in front of you and to the sides. Don’t continue on your way until you are several hundred yards away or well in the open. If you are on Castle Pines Village property, notify Emergency Services (303.688.6447) and have authorized personnel notify the Sheriff’s Department to close the area.

If you are hiking with a dog, make sure it is on a leash. When on Castle Pines Village properties, pets are required to be on a leash. This is not only for the safety of wildlife, but for your safety and your pet’s as well. Unleashed dogs, that have encountered lions while roaming far ahead of their hiking owners, have run back to their owners with the lion in hot pursuit. Other free-roaming dogs may not make it back to their owners.

If you see a lion, STOP AND REMAIN CALM. Do not try to approach a lion, especially one that is feeding or with kittens.

If children are with you, gather them around you, instructing them to slowly move toward you, preferably while facing the lion. If the children are small and there are only one or two, protect them by picking them up to avoid them panicking and running.
NEVER RUN. Running will stimulate the lion’s predatory instinct to chase, exacerbating the situation.

Talk calmly, yet firmly to the lion to help it identify you as a human. GIVE THE LION A WAY TO ESCAPE. BACK AWAY SLOWLY if you can do so safely. ALWAYS FACE THE LION AND REMAIN UPRIGHT.
Do whatever you can to APPEAR LARGER (and, therefore, more threatening to the lion). While lions are formidable predators, and while you may feel like “dead meat” standing in front of one, the lion knows that it cannot risk being injured because that could mean death by starvation. Raise your arms, wave them, and hold open your jacket if you’re wearing one.

Continue to back away until you’re well out of the area, then continue walking while constantly scanning the area.
If the lion behaves aggressively (e.g., flattens ears, growls, slowly crouches, advances, exhibits a false charge, or circles) you need to ACT AGGRESSIVELY. Throw stones or throw or thrash branches around, but only if you can reach the objects without crouching down (appearing smaller and more vulnerable) or turning your back (also increasing your vulnerability). Your objective is to convince the lion that you are not prey and that you are a real threat to the lion. (It doesn’t matter if you believe it, but the lion must be convinced.)

If the lion attacks you, FIGHT BACK. Lions have been driven away by prey that fights back. People have successfully fought back with rocks, sticks, caps or jackets, backpacks, garden tools, and their bare hands. Remain standing facing the lion and, if knocked down, get back up immediately.

If you have a negative encounter with a lion, or if an attack occurs, please immediately contact:
Colorado Division of Wildlife
Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM
(303.291.7227)
After hours, contact:
Douglas County Sheriff’s Department
and
Castle Pines Emergency Services Department
303.688.6447

Your information is very important to the Division of Wildlife.

BLACK BEARS

THE BLACK BEAR’S LIFE HISTORY INFORMATION
All Colorado bears are Black bears.
Castle Pines Village is surrounded by bear habitat, specifically oak brush, chokecherry, and American plum. Bears may be active anytime, but are most active during morning and evening twilight. When not feeding or looking for food, they rest in day beds. Black bears are omnivores – they eat both plants and animals. About 90% of a bear’s diet is made up of plants, while about 10% consists of carrion and other animals. In late summer, black bears fatten up for winter hibernation. During this period known as hyperphagia, bears may feed for up to 20 hours per day and ingest 20,000 calories daily.

Black bears are interesting animals, but the females, or sows, are physiologically amazing. A sow will emerge from her winter den in late March to early May and wander around for a week or more, without eating, until her digestive system comes back “on-line” from winter hibernation. At that point, her primary goal in life is to eat, recoup her body reserves lost during the past winter, and put on enough fat to make it through the next winter. The most important seasonal habitat for bears is late summer-early fall habitats that support dense concentrations of berries and acorns. The availability and occurrence of these crops can be critical to bears in terms of gaining sufficient resources to survive denning and post-emergence the following spring, and maximizing reproductive success (the fatter you are the more cubs you can have). A sow entering the winter den in poor condition may reabsorb the fertilized egg rather than continue with the fetal development that might jeopardize her survival.

Breeding occurs in June and July and the gestation period is seven to eight months. Females enter dens in early to mid-October and males enter separate dens in mid-October to early November. Bears in winter dormancy develop a fecal plug and will not defecate or urinate all winter. All energetic demands are met by using stored fat.
Black bears are delayed implanters. After the sow’s egg is fertilized in June and develops to a very rudimentary degree (the blastocyst stage), the blastocyst just floats around in the uterus and does not implant until late November or early December when she is asleep in her winter den. Virtually all fetal development occurs in the last six to eight weeks when the female is hibernating (a great invention to avoid morning sickness). One to three cubs (two is normal) are born hairless and with closed eyes in their winter dens in late January to early February. The sow nurses them for another two to three months, still totally off her body reserves, until she emerges from her den in the spring. At spring emergence, her cubs will each average 10 - 20 pounds. If her cubs survive the summer, they will usually den with her the following winter while her reproductive tract takes the year off.

BEAR HIBERNATION
While the term “hibernation” is used above, bears are not true hibernators. True hibernation is characterized by a drastically lowered metabolism and a body temperature that drops to within a few degrees of the ambient, or surrounding, temperature. Bears have a slightly reduced metabolism and a body temperature that only drops around 4 - 12F. They are considered only to be in a deep sleep.

LIVING WITH BEARS
Black bears are shy and usually avoid human contact. Most Castle Pines Village residents will not see a bear, even though they are present in the area.
Part of the privilege, responsibility, and stewardship that you have assumed by living at Castle Pines Village is avoiding conflicts with wildlife. A lapse in this environmental ethic may seem inconsequential for you and your neighbors, but as with most wildlife, it can be dangerous when black bears are involved.

Most bears observed in residential areas within bear habitat do not cause any damage. Key to this is that if a bear doesn’t find food it will move on. Black bears are omnivorous and while they eat primarily vegetation, they will eat almost anything. They will eat human food, garbage, hummingbird nectar, bird seed, pet food, suntan lotion, etc. Once a bear has found an easily accessible, food source, it will often overcome its wariness of people and visit the site again, increasing the chance of a bear-human encounter. After repeated use of the food source, the bear may even act aggressively toward you, your pets, or your unsuspecting neighbors. When this happens and wildlife authorities are notified, the bear is usually killed to protect human safety. Your responsible actions can prevent the unnecessary death of a bear.

Keep your property safe by keeping garbage out of the reach and smell of bears. Remember, bears are active from April to November, but your environmental ethic should be applied year round. Keep garbage in an enclosed; locked garage (some bears have learned how to open unlocked doors, apparently by turning the door knob with their mouths). To eliminate the odor of trash, garbage cans and doorways can be cleaned with ammonia that helps to eliminate odors. Do not put garbage out to be collected until the morning of collection.
If you have pets, keep them and their food inside and do not feed them outside. Clean or burn the grease out of your barbecue and store grills and brushes inside. It would be wise to bring in bird feeders (e.g., seed, suet, and hummingbird) at night. Hang feeders well away from your house, instead of on your deck or porch. If you have a garden and use a compost pile, do not put household garbage (e.g., egg shells, vegetable scraps, etc.) into it. These scraps will attract bears and other nuisance wildlife.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A BEAR
There are no definite rules about what to do if you meet a bear. In almost all cases, the bear will detect you first and will leave the area. Bear attacks are rare compared to the number of close encounters. However, if you do meet a bear before it has time to leave the area, here are some suggestions. REMEMBER: Every situation is different with respect to the bear, the terrain, the people and their activity.

STAY CALM. If you see a bear and it hasn’t seen you, calmly leave the area. As you move away, talk aloud to let the bear discover your presence.

STOP. Back away slowly while facing the bear. Avoid direct eye contact, as bears may perceive this as a threat. Give the bear plenty of room to escape. Wildlife bears rarely attack people unless they feel threatened or provoked. A bear that stands on its hind legs while appearing to sniff the air or moves closer is a bear that is trying to determine what is in the area. It is not a sign of aggression as bears sense of smell is stronger than their eyesight. Once it identifies you, it may leave the area or try to intimidate you by charging to within a few feet of you. When a bear feels threatened, generally it will climb the nearest tree or pop its jaw, making a “woofing” sound. This is the bear telling you that you are too close.

If on an open trail, step off the trail on the downhill side and slowly leave the area. Don’t run or make any sudden movements. Running is likely to prompt the bear to give chase and you can’t outrun a bear. Do not attempt climbing tress to escape a black bear. This may stimulate the bear to follow and pull you out by the foot. Stand your ground on the ground.

SPEAK SOFTLY. This may reassure the bear that no harm is meant to it. Try not to show fear. In contrast to grizzly bears, female black bears do not normally defend their cubs aggressively; but send them up trees. However, use extra caution if you encounter a bear with cubs. Move away from the cub and be on the lookout for other cubs.

FIGHT BACK if a black bear attacks you. Black bears have been driven away when people have fought back with rocks, sticks, binoculars, and even their bare hands.
If you have a negative encounter with a bear, or if an attack occurs, please immediately contact
:
Colorado Division of Wildlife
Monday through Friday, 8AM - 5PM
(303.291.7227)

After hours, contact:
Douglas County Sheriff’s Department
and Castle Pines Emergency Services Department
303.688.6447

Your information is very important to the Division of Wildlife.

BOBCATS

LIFE HISTORY
The bobcat (named for its short or bobbed tail) is the most abundant and widely-distributed of Colorado’s three cat species and is present year-round in Castle Pines Village. They are about twice the size of a domestic cat, generally 32-37 inches long with a tail about 6 inches in length. They may weigh up to 25-57 lbs and have a life span of 10-14 years. They prefer rocky and wooden areas. Preferred prey of bobcats is rabbits, but they will also eat mice, birds, voles, and squirrels. Sometimes they will kill fawns. Bobcat activity is usually dusk to dawn.

Bobcats breed in late winter and spring and produce a single litter each year of one to seven young after a gestation period of about 10 weeks. The nursery is simple- a sheltered area under a rock or log. The young are weaned at about 8 weeks of age. Natural predators to the bobcat are great horned owls and sometimes mountain lions and domestic dogs.

Bobcats avoid human contact as much as possible.

WILDLIFE CONFLICTS
Castle Pines Village was designed to accommodate the existing wildlife community and to provide for its continued presence. As a resident, you probably moved here for the opportunity to live in such intimate contact with wildlife, to watch deer and elk out of your windows, and observe changes in the bird community over the seasons. The more wildlife and the closer you can observe them the better. However, you may find that some wildlife are adapting a little too well to you and your property. Some are becoming indifferent to your presence, and some even bold. The deer seem to think your petunias were planted specifically for them to eat; woodpeckers think your house is a giant tree stump, perfect for a nest; and a skunk is making regular, nocturnal visits to your dog’s food bowl on the back deck.

Such species, that have so graciously incorporated your property into their habitat, can become a nuisance. This is all part of the rural wildlife experience. However, this section offers suggestions about dealing and coping with some of the more common situations involving wildlife. As with many potential wildlife conflicts, these situations are best avoided by recognizing potential problems and making appropriate decisions (some as early as in the design stage of your home). Homeowners should recognize that wildlife can be extremely adaptable and persistent. You will win many of these battles, because they will become a battle of wills, and you may eventually win the war, but some battles you will lose, miserably.

The first step is to alter your philosophy. It is a privilege to live in such a wildlife-rich community. You have moved here presumably for the opportunity to share that experience. Dealing with some overly- friendly wildlife is part of the responsibility you have adopted by living here. Another part of that inherited stewardship is resolving conflicts in favor of the animals. You have moved into their home; they do not have to adapt to you.

DEALING WITH WILDLIFE
Most human-wildlife conflicts result from wildlife seeking food, shelter or space. This section will help homeowners deal with some of the most common wildlife situations they are likely to encounter at Castle Pines Village.

Try to maintain your sense of humor. You have moved into their home. Don’t become violent. The Colorado Division of Wildlife is legally mandated to protect all wildlife of Colorado and enforce State regulations, both on private and public lands. Other wildlife species and groups seasonally inhabiting Castle Pines Village properties are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Bald Eagle Act, and the Threatened and Endangered Species Act.

DEER AND ELK
Most of the damage that deer and elk will do is confined to their consumption of your landscaping. Elk may damage brush habitat by over browsing a tree or by using a small tree to rub the velvet off of their antlers during the late summer. Contact Design Review at the Castle Pines Homes Association office for a list of species you should consider for landscaping .

WOODPECKERS
Woodpeckers will excavate nest holes in homes with natural wood siding (often at the site of a knothole) or with Dry-vit (stucco-like) systems. They will peck holes in wooden house parts while looking for insects, roost overnight under protected eaves soiling the house, and will awaken you before dawn during spring and summer, “drumming” on resonant gutters and downspouts. Several techniques prevent or eliminate woodpecker damage, including visual repellents, loud noises, exclusion, and alternative construction materials. If the problem persists, homeowners can contact the Castle Pines Homes Association, or the Colorado State Extension office in Jefferson or Arapahoe Counties for additional information on discouraging woodpeckers.

SKUNKS
Skunks are one of the wildlife species inhabiting Castle Pines Village that most people hope they never see, at least at close range. Skunks dig holes in lawns, eat garden produce, scatter improperly contained garbage, den under buildings, spray free-roaming pets, and leave that offensive, characteristic odor when they have been around. Like most potential wildlife conflicts, being aware of skunks and taking some proactive steps, you will likely help you to avoid an encounter.

Few people would consciously attract skunks to their home, but some homeowner’s habits may do just that. Make sure there are no spaces under the house, outbuildings, or woodpiles where skunks could den or seek shelter. Fence gardens to exclude skunks and don’t put any potential foods in a compost pile, even if securely fenced (remember bears). Don’t feed pets or leave pet food bowls outside, even in a fenced yard. Skunks can dig. Fences should extend one to two feet below ground level. Keep garbage in cans in a garage or shed and don’t put trash out overnight for collection the next day. If you use bear-proof trash cans, garbage will be secure from skunks.
If a skunk is denning or sheltering under a building, the animal can be encouraged to depart by placing generous amounts of mothballs, naphthalene flakes, or paradichlorobenzene crystal-filled bags, ammonia-soaked cloths, or a radio under the building. Attach the bags or cloths to string to permit removal after the skunk departs. To determine if the skunk departs, sprinkle the entrance area with flour to determine track orientation. Skunks are nocturnal and should normally emerge one or two hours after dark. Remember, there may be more than one.

Skunk musk can be removed from pets, people clothing, and property with neutroleum alpha or with a solution of 2% vinegar and 98% water. Neutroleum alpha is contained in some commercial odor control products and can be purchased at hospital supply stores, some drug and pet supply stores, or from the Division of Animal Industry, Colorado Department of Agriculture, 700 Kipling Street, Suite 4000, Lakewood, CO, 80215; phone 303.239.4161. Diluted solutions of ammonia, chlorine bleach, tomato juice, or vinegar may help eliminate odors, however, perhaps the best home remedy is Massengill lemon douche.

PORCUPINES
Porcupines enjoy eating the bark from trees, which may result in the loss of the tree. Porcupines are common in oak brush habitat. Sheet metal wrapped around the bottom of a tree will prohibit a porcupine from climbing the tree.

RACCOONS
Raccoons will readily habituate to residential subdivisions and can be entertaining to watch. However, with the exception of odor, they pose all the same problems as skunks, as well as possibly attracting large predators to your home. Taking the same precautions as those recommended for dealing with skunks will avoid virtually all problems with raccoons. The most important of these is not to feed pets outside and not to feed raccoons.

BATS
Bats are perhaps the most ecologically beneficial, yet unjustly maligned, wildlife groups in the world. They do not dive into, and get tangled in, woman’s (or men’s) hair. There are a few species of bats that inhabit Castle Pines Village during the summer eating thousands of insects, such as mosquitoes, each night. Conflicts will be confined to summer and will generally involve individual or small numbers of bats roosting in sheltered areas of buildings or homes where they or their droppings may be unwelcome. These areas can be secured with wire mesh or netting at night after the bats have left to forage. Bats are much more attractive than those noisy bug-zappers and can be encouraged to control insects around your home by installing bat boxes, wooden boxes similar to a bird house, where bats roost during the day.

COYOTES: BRIEF LIFE HISTORY
Coyotes have adapted well to living amongst humans, as have other species of wildlife. The average size of a coyote is 37 inches long and 18 inches high. Their weight varies from 20 to 50 pounds. Coyotes are opportunistic hunters and prey on small mammals, domestic pets, livestock, and domestic fowl, but will readily eat carrion and plant matter. Coyotes may travel alone, in pairs, or in small groups. One factor that seems to affect coyote sociability is the prey size. When the major prey items are small rodents, coyotes tend to be solitary. When the major prey items are large mammals such as deer, large groups of coyotes are formed. Females generally have a home range of a few square miles; males wander over larger areas. Coyotes are generally nocturnal and sometimes diurnal, seen at dusk and dawn. When coyotes become adapted to living near humans with no disturbances such as hunting and trapping, coyotes may be frequently seen during the day. Coyotes typically pair for life. If one dies, the other will look for another mate. Breeding occurs between January and March. During this time, coyotes become more territorial and may be seen more often during the day. Pups are born from April to mid-May. By the age of 8 weeks, the pups can eat meat and coyotes will be taking more prey animals to feed their young. People should never approach pups or attempt to take them from the denning area. Coyote attacks on people are extremely rare and in almost all known cases, the coyote had lost its fear of humans because humans had previously fed it. None of these animals will present any problem to your family or pets if you don’t attract them or their prey species to your home.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU LIVE IN COYOTE COUNTRY

PROTECT YOUR PETS! Coyotes will attack and kill cats and small dogs. Do not allow your pets to roam, especially at night. Electrified invisible fences may keep your pet inside the yard, but will not deter a coyote from entering your yard. Split rail fencing reinforced with chicken wire or sheep wire are also not deterrents for coyotes. Coyotes are opportunistic and if they can see into a yard and have an easy prey source, they will take that opportunity.

Do not allow your dogs to run with coyotes. It may appear that they are “playing,” but coyotes can turn on dogs to defend their territory. Coyotes can also breed with dogs.
You can avoid attracting these animals to your home by not feeding wildlife, not feeding pets outside, keeping garbage in cans in secure buildings, and keeping your pets under control and secure at all times. Some additional considerations are presented in the sections on black bears and mountain lions.

FEEDING WILDLIFE POLICIES
With the exception of feeding birds (seeds, suet, and hummingbird nectar), feeding or baiting wildlife on Castle Pines Village properties is prohibited. Regardless of how benevolent a person’s intentions, feeding hurts wildlife. Feeding creates an unnatural behavior that disrupts the natural balance. It also attracts prey species and predators to your home where they can create a safety risk to your family and pets. In the end, it is the animals that usually suffer. For expanded discussions on the hazards that feeding wildlife can create, please review the sections on black bears and mountain lions.

LANDSCAPING CHALLENGES
The conflict between landscaping and wildlife in Castle Pines Village generally focuses on two species, deer and elk. An average homeowner will spend thousands of dollars on plants attempting to personalize and integrate the area around the home, disturbed by construction, into the surrounding environment. The deer and elk that move through the area will find this new forage and can decimate everything from flowers to trees.
Deer and elk, like all animals, are selective feeders; they select or avoid plants or plant parts with considerable discrimination. Selecting deer and elk resistant plants will reduce or eliminate costly browsing damage and provide alternatives to incompatible fencing, the application of chemical repellents, and constant vigilance.

A host of factors influence whether a particular plant will be eaten, including plant palatability, the availability of alternate foods, the plant’s growth stage, weather/growing conditions, and the animal’s previous experience and nutritional needs. Fertilized, well-watered, non-native vegetation is generally highly preferred over surrounding, native vegetation. Such plants grow faster and are more tender and nutritious. New plantings added to a landscape already severely browsed will also suffer browsing damage.
Even native vegetation, grown at a nursery under ideal conditions maximizing growth, will be browsed over the same species naturally growing in your backyard. Indeed, deer will even preferentially browse a shrub that you transplant from a remote area of your property, then establish with fertilizer and abundant water. A prudent approach is to protect all plantings that you don’t want browsed in a wire cage, supported by rebar or metal T-posts, for two to three years while the plants could be nourished with fertilizer and abundant water to establish vigorous root systems. However, plants should be weaned to the native precipitation regime and not fertilized for a year or two preceding cage removal to avoid attracting big game.

Few, if any, plants are totally resistant to deer at all times. Browsing damage can occur year-round, but is most common in winter when native food availability is lowest. As an alternative to starvation, deer will eat even the most unpalatable forage and plants that they avoid at other times of the year. Over winter (December to May) careful plant selection might be combined with protective cages and other damage control measures for maximum protection.

As development of the Village nears full build-out over the next five to seven years, there will be considerable reduction in local available habitat. During periods of low resource availability, deer and elk will be looking for forage wherever they can find it. Without hunting in this large area, game damage will probably increase. As the deer and elk populations expand, increased competition will result in animals browsing more and more unpalatable vegetation.

However, landscaping is not as hopeless as it may appear. To avoid most expensive browsing damage, there are two general rules to follow when landscaping:

1. Plant native species adapted to the site conditions.
2. Plant unpalatable or less palatable species. Native plants adapted to dry sites and poor soils are generally less palatable.

Following these two rules is half the battle. If you are particularly fond of some ornamental plant that the deer will love, either plan on protecting it in a wire cage (at least over winter) or plant it close to your home where the deer will hesitate to stray.
Deer and elk are generally attracted to plants that receive a lot of water and fertilizer. Even the most noxious of plants will be eaten if it is tender and nutritious. An extensive list of approved landscape plants that are successful in the Village is available from the Design Review Committee. Use this list in consultation with your local nurseryman or landscape designer to choose plant materials that will enhance the beautiful natural environment of the Village – and discourage browsing by your four-legged neighbors.

ENFORCEMENT
Castle Pines Village residents view its wildlife resource as an attractive and integral component of their neighborhood and Douglas County. The elk, deer and other wildlife seasonally present on the property also move to adjacent areas of the County where they are valued by the public in various contexts. Castle Pines Village is committed to maintaining this wildlife use on and through its neighborhood. The wildlife-related covenants and restrictions at Castle Pines Village were established to insure that the wildlife-oriented layout of the development functions as designed and that wildlife compatibility is maximized. This was specifically done for you.

Wildlife-oriented covenants and restrictions will be vigorously enforced by Castle Pines Village Emergency Services and the Homeowners Association. Many of these regulations were part of the County Review Process and can also be enforced by the County and the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Hopefully, it will be you, the residents of Castle Pines Village, who recognize, follow, educate, and enforce these covenants.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS and RESOURCE NUMBERS
Castle Pines Village Emergency Service
303.688.6447

Castle Pines Village Homes Association
303.814.1345
Colorado Division of Wildlife
Monday through Friday, 8AM - 5PM
(303.291.7227) Dispatch, Law Enforcement

Douglas County Sheriff
911 Emergencies, 303.660.7505 Administration

Arapahoe County Wildlife Master program Hotline
303.738.7919 (Leave a message and Wildlife Master will return the call.)

Jefferson County Wildlife Master program Hotline
303.271.6620 (Ask to be transferred to the Wildlife Master hotline
Websites: http://www.arapcsuext.org  (Arap. Co. website)
http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/wildlife  Can access any fact sheets from Colorado State University

Bibliography
“Colorado’s Wildlife Company – Colorado Cats” Colorado Division of Wildlife
“Lions, Ferrets & Bears – A Guide to the Mammals of Colorado” Colorado Division of Wildlife, University of Colorado Museum by David M. Armstrong
“Managing Conflicts with Wildlife” Colorado State University, Cooperative Extension Compiled by Dr. William F. Andelt, Extension Wildlife Specialist and Marcella G. Fuentes, Secretary; Department of Fishery and Wildlife Biology
Prepared in association with:
Richard W. Thompson, Certified Wildlife Biologist
Western Ecosystems, Inc.
905 West Coach Road
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 442-6144

David Johnson
Western Resource Development Corporation
711 Walnut Street
Boulder, CO 80302
(303) 449-9009
@1992 by Western Ecosystems, Inc.
January, 1993
January, 2000

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