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Do You Feed Camp Robbers?

Posted by Andrew Engelson at Mar 31, 2008 03:40 PM |
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Do You Feed Camp Robbers?

Gray jays, commonly known as camp robbers, frequently seek handouts at popular hiking destinations.

I recently received an e-mail from a WTA member about an issue that's been bugging him for a long time: feeding "camp robbers" while on a hike.

Most of us are familiar with camp robbers, those birds that congregate on summits and backcountry camps where humans and their peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches are sure to be found. There are actually two bird species commonly known as camp robbers: the gray jay and the Clark's nutcracker.

They're cute birds and not at all shy about seeking a handout.

The WTA member--who recently witnessed a camp robber landing on a snowshoer's hand to get a snack--wondered if we should be feeding these birds.

This member (who wishes to remain anonymous, lest he or she become known as the Gray Jay Grinch) thinks we shouldn't be feeding any sort of wildlife, whether it's camp robbers, squirrels or bears.

I brought the question to the attention of Matt Mega, the conservation director at Seattle Audubon. Matt said that Audubon doesn't advocate feeding of wild birds in public or park environments, mostly to prevent "nuisance birds."

That's been the approach for bears for many years: Urging campers not to feed bears has helped reduce nuisance animals overly dependent on human food. But are camp robbers really a nuisance?

I would argue if you're going to apply the "don't feed the animals" rule to one creature you should apply it to all. The idea is to reduce human impacts and keep wildlands a little bit wilder. It's an extension of Leave No Trace ethics.

What do you think? Think we should make an exception for those friendly camp companions? Or should we keep our chips to ourselves? Post a comment...

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Are you kidding? That's how I wooed my wife

Posted by ilLupo at Mar 31, 2008 04:20 PM
The first hike I ever took my now wife on was to Surprise Lake. On that journey, my neophyte hiking companion was absolutely amazed that I had a Dr DoLittle like effect on birds that they would eat out of my hand. Of course I had to fess up later that having a gray jay eat out of your hand was no more difficult than having a labrador retriever (any lab)instantly become your best buddy. Now, do I feed gray jays on a regular basis? No, not at all. Is it a violation of leave no trace? Hardly! These birds have been cohabitating with humans for hundreds of years and I doubt that thier surval is at stake if a few hikers slip them a morsel or two. Before we get too sanctimonious you better ask yourself just what are YOU doing in the woods? It's all about balance. Protect the environment, care for your land, use it wisely and don't get worked up over little things like someone feeding a gray jay. We have bigger and more important battles to worry about without turning off some of our allies because we choose to be idealogues.
Now, I don't advocate feeding mooching hikers on the trail because I don't want to instill a mood of dependence-and I only feed organic granola to jays. Just kidding about the last statement-well at least half of it!

there is a distinction

Posted by thuja at Apr 01, 2008 09:20 AM
The "don't feed the animals" rule is principally about not encouraging habits that could get the animals in question killed, or cause harm to people. Seondarily I suppose (in areas like national parks) it is about keeping the animals "natural." I don´t think any of these arguments apply very well to canada jays. They´re certainly not dangerous to us, and although one might occasionally come to grief at the hands of a human, I expect from their perspective the food benefits are worth the risks. Following large mammals, such as bears, around is something they do. We (humans) have just stepped into that role, of large animal that is worth investigating and scrounging off of. Canada jays behave just as cheekily in remote areas where they have little experience of human beings.

One could, I suppose, make the same arguments about bears, that they are intrinsically opportunistic omnivorous scroungers, and using our garbage and unguarded food as a resource comes naturally to them. Which is true, there´s really nothing unnatural about a bear taking advantage of a garbage dump or other food bonanza. But this behavior, which comes naturally to bears, is dangerous to them, and to a lesser extent, to us, and hence the difference.

Do You Feed Camp Robbers?

Posted by mrsroadrunner at Dec 26, 2010 10:28 AM
What a wonderful site! I am new here and primarily stick to Oregon these days, though worked, lived and been in the back country many times in Washington.

We do not feed the wildlife when we are in the back country. Not even the birds. This can be dangerous for both us and the wildlife. We do go with our pack of dogs who will circle our camp, or where ever we might be.
 
I am thinking maybe the visitors feeding this kind of wildlife give them the feeling of the outdoors?? Sure it is something I personally do not do, but many of the visitors are from the cities or places they do not get to see such wildlife. Not like some of us who get to see things all the time. Therefor as many times as we advocate not to do it, these visitors bring income to such areas that would not be without their vacation money.

Now the bears and such, for those who have never encountered such wildlife, we have to be extra careful! They can hurt us! These type of wildlife will take, take and take, they do not wait for a handout. They will rip vehicles apart if aggressive enough and taught by humans that humans mean food. Otherwise wild creatures such as this have no clue about humans they have not been taught.

Just my thoughts on this subject.

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