Q. What does the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources do with animals that are taken illegally (poached)?
A. For those animals that are taken illegally, the DNR tries to ensure that the animal poached is not wasted. Meat from illegally harvested wild game such as deer is often donated to food shelves and other groups that serve those less fortunate. However, sometimes meat must be thrown away or destroyed. This has been especially true for fish. The DNR has an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Health to dispose of meat, such as pre-packaged fish fillets, because it is often hard to tell whether or not the packaging was done properly. In some cases, the animal or bird, or parts of the animal, such as deer antlers, are turned over to schools and other educational institutions for study.
-- Maj. Roger Tietz
Tietz is operations support manager for the DNR Enforcement Division.
Q. Someone told me that for the sake of birds, rice shouldn't be thrown outside after a wedding. Is this true? And is there a substitute for rice?
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A. Instant rice is bad for a bird because it expands in its crop (throat) and can kill it. Some rice might be harmless to birds, but polluting sidewalks with rice is not recommended. Instead, use wild bird seed to throw at weddings. The seed will be cleaned up, naturally, within a few days and will also provide food for our feathered friends.
-- Lori Naumann
Naumann is a DNR Nongame wildlife program information officer.
