It's that time of year when some of the nicest people will steal babies from their mothers. It's an act done with soft hearts. But it's the worst thing that these people can do to wild animals.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is renewing its annual plea to leave the babes of the woods alone and just walk away.

The scenario is almost always the same. A person happens upon a fawn deer, a baby raccoon, a duckling or some other freshly hatched or newly born animal. They look around and don't see the mother nearby. They feel sorry for what they feel is an abandoned young animal. So they "rescue" it - in effect stealing it from its mother and its wild heritage.

"People think these small animals are abandoned, or that they would make a good pet. Sadly, in most cases these newborns are healthy wild animals with a parent nearby," said Kurt Cunningham, FWP outdoor education specialist.

"It is natural behavior for wild animals to cache their young for periods of time to protect them from predators," he said. "This strategy works for wildlife unless humans intervene and remove the young animal from its natural environment."

Young animals will typically lie still for hours as their mothers move off to feed themselves or to gather food for their youngsters. By keeping their distance, the hidden young are less vulnerable to predators who could easily spot their locations if the mothers stayed nearby.

Beyond letting the youngsters grow up in the wild, it's worth noting that Montana laws prohibit the capture, feeding, possession and harassment of wildlife - both game and nongame species - in part to curb the human tendency to "help" wildlife. These laws also protect Montana's wild animals from becoming "pets."

"Please remind friends and family to leave young wildlife in the wild this spring when they are out enjoying the outdoors - it is the best way to ensure that young wildlife is raised as nature intended in the wild," Cunningham said.

FWP's slogan for keeping young wildlife in the wild is simply this: "If you care, leave them there."

Wardens honored

Two Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks wardens have been singled out for honors because of the work they've done to protect our fish and wildlife resources.

FWP regional investigator Chad Murphy, of Whitehall, was recently recognized as the 2009 Montana Shikar-Safari Club International Wildlife Officer of the Year.

Murphy, a 20-year veteran, was honored for his extraordinary contributions to law enforcement, hunter access, landowner-sportsman relations, interagency cooperation and community service.

FWP game warden Lee Burroughs, of Lavina, received the 2009 Chief's Award, given each year to the game warden who best exemplifies integrity, professionalism and respect in dealing with landowners, sportsmen and others that come in contact with the department.

Burroughs' outstanding efforts included areas of professional growth, mentoring, spirit, investigations and work on broad resource issues in addition to his duties as a regional game warden.

Both award recipients were named by Jim Kropp, chief of law enforcement for FWP.

Hunting deadline

If you haven't applied already, take note quickly that the deadline to apply for FWP's special license drawings for elk, deer and antelope licenses and special permits is Monday.

Hunters can apply by going to the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov and clicking on Online Licensing. For those who don't own a computer, Internet access is available at Montana's 80 public libraries and 30 branch public libraries.

Special drawing paper applications are also available at most FWP offices and license providers. Paper applications must be postmarked by June 1, or submitted to any FWP regional office, or to FWP headquarters in Helena, by June 1 at 5 p.m.

Drawings are typically held in late July or early August with licenses put in the mail to recipients by mid-August.