See below for more words of caution regarding handling wild animals. Understanding and applying some simple principles will help avoid such situations and enhance what may become a life long memory or family adventure in the outdoors. Have a plan. It is advisable not to venture out alone, particularly in isolated areas. Let others know your travel plans and schedule so you will be missed if something goes wrong, and so others will know where to begin looking for you.
Wildlife is just that.
Part of the excitement of catching a glimpse of a wild turkey or coyote is that you are observing the activity of a shy creature that exists independently of our care. Although providing food and cover for wildlife in your backyard may be helpful to many species, feeding wildlife on publicly owned lands can seriously hinder efforts to manage wildlife populations in a scientific manner and can create problems for local managers and visitors. Habituating wildlife to the presence of humans greatly increases the chances of negative interactions that could result in injury to people, the animal, or both. Any animal acting in a way inconsistent with its normal behavior should be avoided, because of the likelihood of disease. For example, an adult raccoon walking about in the middle of the day could be carrying rabies and should not be approached.