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Modoc Country WildlifeWildlife in rural northeastern California is neither unique nor exotic, but very plentiful. This page and following pages offer some information on both the harmless or sometimes just bothersome animals and on some dangerous critters found in Modoc County. Although not exotic, there are many different types of animals here in the country, and they are all interesting! Whether you enjoy watching the antics of the California quail or noting the many colors of small finches, you’re closer to them in the country. Whether your passion is fly-fishing for trout in a cold mountain stream or duck hunting on one of our marshes, wildlife is abundant here. I find that one of the most enjoyable parts of country living is being closer to nature and all of nature’s critters. Of course, that could also be the ole double-edged sword if a person is wary of wild animals. On another page of this site, I offer some questions to ask yourself before moving to the country to see if you’re ready for the challenges of country living. One of those questions asks whether you are you afraid of
wildlife.
If you are, my advice is to think again about moving to a rural or country environment!
Some animals can also be pests, such as the deer and rabbits that ravage your vegetables, flowers and shrubs, but they pose no outright danger to humans. When you live in the country, though, its smart to learn a little about the habits of any wildlife that is common to your area. Always remember that ANY wild animal will fight back if cornered or if it feels threatened. A cottontail bunny in its wild habitat is a real cute and peaceful animal, threatening only that expensive landscape ground cover in your yard. I guarantee you though, that if you somehow catch one and try to pick it up barehanded, the cute little bunny will shred your bare arms with its nails and teeth!
Here are some more of Modoc’s country critters. This list is probably not all-inclusive, these are just some that I have either seen myself or know that they are around. I’ve divided them into non-threatening to people and The Bad Guys lists. And before I start wading through angry letters from wild animal lovers and animal rights activist folks, let me clarify The Bad Guys list. I don’t consider these guys inherently bad animals. Bad Guys refers to their interaction with and threat to humans and domestic animals. I call them Bad Guys with reverence and much respect for their place in the food chain.
If the animal’s name is linked, follow that link to a page with some more details on that critter. Enjoy!
Non-Threatening Animals Deer Black Tailed Jackrabbit Opossum Raccoon Pronghorn Antelope Ground Squirrels Rats Mice Woodchuck Badger Ducks Canadian Geese Blue Jays Magpies Crows Hawks Bald Eagles Finches Hummingbirds Gopher Snakes Garden Snakes Gecko Lizards
The Bad Guys Mountain Lion Coyotes Bobcat Bear 
As you can tell, we have quite a few different species of wildlife here in Modoc Country, and they are plentiful. Sportsmen from all over the world target northeastern California as a favorite destination for hunting and fishing. One of the area’s greatest draws is deer hunting, duck hunting, upland game bird hunting and bass and trout fishing.
We have good guy animals that can co-exist with humans, and we also have bad guys. A few species of wildlife do not co-exist well with people, and those animals deserve more respect and a wide birth or a larger caliber firearm. Most of the animals in this area are also fairly common to other parts of the country. When people move away from settled metropolitan areas and into rural America, they move into the animals’ environment. So no matter what part of the country you live in, if your home is in the country, at least become familiar with the wildlife in your area. It’ll make your country living more enjoyable, and may even preserve your safety! We hope these pages on wildlife are helpful and informative for you. We would love to hear your thoughts and comments. Please visit often, as we are constantly updating content.
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Of course, keeping things in perspective is always helpful, especially when it comes to wild animals. There are only a few types of animals that can be dangerous to humans, and usually only if you confront them. These guys demand a bit more respect and caution. The rest of the animal kingdom that you will come across in the country are normally docile and generally don’t want anything to do with people.
