Parks Canada is warning drivers not to stop while on highways to let moose lick their cars this winter.

The peculiar message comes as moose have been trekking onto highways to lick salt off of roads and passing vehicles, says Tracy McKay with Parks Canada.

“It does sound very funny … It’s okay to laugh at it, as long as people drive responsibly and do what’s best for the wildlife,” she said.

McKay says Parks Canada puts out a warning every winter as moose venture down to highways to fuel their salt intake.

“Unfortunately, this kind of puts [moose] at risk of being injured or killed if they get hit by a vehicle,” she said.

“Parks Canada understands that seeing those wildlife is a real highlight for a lot of people, but we ask people not to stop … so that the moose can’t get used to licking salt off of the cars.”

  • schmidtster@lemmy.worldEnglish
    8·
    11 months ago

    It makes it too easy and will lead to over hunting. Hunting is as much about forest management as it is for sport and food. Tree stand you still need to be a decent shot.

    Get 5 or 6 deer at a salt lick standing around, almost anyone could hit them with a bow or cross bow. Baiting is just too easy and takes all the fun and sport from it.

    • girlfreddy@lemmy.caOPEnglish
      2·
      11 months ago

      Baiting is just too easy and takes all the fun and sport from it.

      Yet it’s allowed for bears (in ON anyway).

      sigh

      • schmidtster@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        11 months ago

        Now that you mention it… I do believe there is some exceptions even here for the rare lottery ones. 3 bear tags for example or other predators that are in large amounts you do want those taken down regardless type of thing for management reasons.

        But at that point it’s not exactly “hunting” more culling they would argue.

        These are decades old convos with my old supervisor i am relying on here, so not exactly recalling the super specific details.