Kids in costumes may not be the only creatures trolling for treats in your neighborhood on Oct. 31.
Arizona Game and Fish Department officials remind residents every year that outdoor Halloween decorations such as pumpkins can attract wildlife, even in urban areas.
“A ripened pumpkin sitting outdoors is like candy for javelina,” said Darren Julian, Game and Fish urban wildlife specialist, in a press release. “Pumpkins and other edible decorations are easy meals for wildlife and often attract javelina, coyotes, deer and even bears."
That’s why officials says pumpkins should be kept out of reach.
"Make sure that they’re high enough off the ground so that way, wildlife can’t get them, maybe on top of a rock wall," said Nathan Gonzalez of Game and Fish. "Ideally the safest bet would be to try to display your jack-o-lantern in your front window where they’ll be visible from the street."
Intentionally feeding most wildlife in Pima, Maricopa and Pinal counties is illegal under state law (A.R.S. 13-2927) and can lead to a public safety hazard.
Game and Fish offers more tips for living with wildlife in Arizona at azgfd.gov/urbanwildlife.
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