Keep your distance
The goal of all wildlife watchers should be to observe nature without disturbing or altering it. The most common mistake people make is trying to get too close to wildlife. It's a natural urge, but remember, under certain conditions, a single disturbance may lead to an animal's death. A spooked animal might become injured or killed trying to flee, or it may abandon a nest or quit feeding during a time of critical energy need

Let it be
Chasing an animal may lead directly to its death, such as causing it to run onto a highway or jump into a river. Chasing also has an indirect impact too. When an animal is forced to flee, it uses up energy that it needs to survive. Don't stare directly at large animals such as moose elk, or bears. They may interpret this as a threat, causing unpredictable results. Pets and wildlife do not mix. If given the chance, domestic animals will almost always chase or harass wildlife, and may also spread or receive diseases from wildlife. Pets are best left at home, but if you do bring one along, be sure you keep it on a leash and under control--especially during the spring and summer nesting season.

You're not my mother
It is fairly common to see young or "baby" animals by themselves during spring. Although they may appear to be orphaned or abandoned, this is rarely the case. Too often, well-meaning people remove young animals from the wild, thinking they are saving them, when in fact the parents of the young were standing by, just out of sight. Even if an animal is an orphan, you should leave it alone. Many animals will defend themselves by scratching or biting. Also, your scent on a young animal may hamper efforts to return it to the wild. Report orphaned animals to the site manager.

Do unto others...
If you arrive at a site that already has other people watching wildlife, be considerate as you approach. Shutting your car doors, talking too loudly, or moving too quickly might frighten the wildlife and ruin the experience for everyone.

Get permission
Private land in Michigan is protected by law and you must have permission from the landowner before you can enter legally. When visiting public lands, be aware of and respect all property boundaries.

Stay on the trails (where appropriate)
At some wildlife viewing sites, visitors are encouraged to hike wherever they please. However, other sites may contain rare plants or fragile ecosystems where access must be limited to protect the resource from trampling, soil compaction, or erosion. Obey all site regulations and report violations to the site manager.

Leave it better than you found it
Few things can spoil the atmosphere of an adventure in the great outdoors faster than the sight of an old soda can or broken bottle. It goes without saying that you should always pack out your trash or dispose of it properly. Many wildlife watchers go one step further by carrying a small trash sack with them and picking up litter that senseless people have left behind. You can also help by reporting littering and vandalism to the site manager.