It's the fall season in Tucson and that means cooler temperatures and colorful trees in the Catalinas.
But it's also the season for pumpkins to sit on doorsteps, potentially attracting javelinas.
The Arizona Game and Fish Department is currently reminding Tucsonans that Halloween pumpkins and other fall decorations, such as squash and gourds, can attract wildlife when used as outdoor decorations. Â
The department recommends displaying the decorations indoors instead, such as on a window sill where they can still be seen from outside.Â
"Javelina, coyotes, deer and even bears eat some of the vegetables that are part of traditional holiday displays," Regional Supervisor Raul Vega said in a press release. "When displayed outdoors, they may attract wildlife to homes, potentially creating conflicts with people."
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"Habituating wildlife to a human food source inevitably leads to conflicts with people and can result in serious harm in some cases," Urban Wildlife Specialist Locana de Souza said in the release. "Furthermore, unintentional or intentional feeding can cause problems for wildlife, such as obesity and malnutrition, and promote the spread of disease."
Under Arizona law, it's illegal to feed wildlife in Pima, Maricopa and Pinal counties, with the exception of birds and tree squirrels, the department said. The maximum penalty is a $300 fine.Â
Related gallery: 53 photos that prove javelinas are the cuties of the desert
53 photos that prove javelinas are the cuties of the desert
Javelina
Updated
Feb 14, 2022
A baby javelina hangs out with their mom in Ruth Russell’s backyard on July 23, 2019.
Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Javelina yawn
Updated
Apr 17, 2018
Javelina yawn
By ROB BOONE
Southern Arizona Wildlife Babies
Updated
May 2, 2018
Baby Javelina with mom
By Mark Wolfson
Javelina visit
Updated
Apr 17, 2018
Javelinas walking through backyard
By lori nitido
Shady Characters On the Prowl
Updated
Dec 14, 2017
3 of a dozen javelinas sighted across from our house this morning at 7AM
By Laurie Finzer
Smile for the camera!
Updated
Dec 14, 2017
Javelina in our arroyo-"hamming it up"!
By William Polkinghorn
Javelina in Benson
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
In my parents backyard looking for food.
By Sara Brown
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted this javelina photo.
Javelinda Doughty Kneifel
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Mark Sadler posted this javelina family photo.
Mark Sadler
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader John Smith posted this Javelina photo.
John Smith
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Santanya Santa Cruz posted a photo of this poolside javelina.
Santanya Santa Cruz
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Curtis J Kaufman posted this nighttime javelina photo. He wrote, "Had to build a three foot high planter to keep them out of the flowers and vegetables."
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted a photo of javelinas snuggling.
Javelinda Doughty Kneifel
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Rick Beck posted this photo of javelinas frolicking in Green Valley.
Rick Beck
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted this javelina photo.
Javelinda Doughty Kneifel
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted this javelina photo.
Javelinda Doughty Kneifel
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted this family photo. She wrote, "It's fascinating watching the families in the wash. From behind a brick wall."
Javelinda Doughty Kneifel
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Eunice Gregory-Richard posted this photo taken just outside her back door. "One night they were fighting right by my back door and even bumping up against the door. Scared me to death LOL"
Eunice Gregory-Richard
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted photo. She wrote, "Don't worry, there was a high and sturdy brick wall between us! Big yawn!"
Javelinda Doughty Kneifel
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader John Puertas posted this photo of street-crossing javelinas.
John Puertas
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Javelinda Doughty Kneifel posted this photo of a javelina with "pretty eyelashes."
Javelinda Doughty Kneifel
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Mark Sadler posted this photo of a javelina rooting through a bag.
Mark Sadler
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Tré Navarrette posted this photo of thirsty javelinas who turned on the hose for a drink.
Tré Navarrette
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Marsha Conner McGaughy used a zoom lens to take this heard photo.
Marsha Conner McGaughy
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader John Smith posted this sleeping baby javelina photo.
John Smith
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Robbi Justice captured this encounter between a dog and javelina. "Glad there's a fence there!"
Robbi Justice
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Jul 26, 2017
Facebook reader Odette Lee Solberg posted this photo by Steve Maushardt. She wrote, "This photo was taken by Steve Maushardt when I first moved away from Tucson and I was homesick! RIP Steve!"
Steve Maushardt
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader Kelley Peters posted a photo of these nighttime visitors.
Kelley Peters
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader SJ Schmidt posted this javelina photo. He wrote, "One of those bad boys near Canyon Ranch."
SJ Schmidt
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader Patricia Canady posted this family javelina photo.
Patricia Canady
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Kelley Peters took this photo on the way home from the gym in Rancho Sahuarita.
Kelley Peters
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader Harold Ebner posted a photo of the three javelinas.
Harold Ebner
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader Marlene Leer posted a photo of a herd of javelinas.
Marlene Leer
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Melissa Shafer spotted this mom-and-child team while taking her baby to daycare one morning.
Melissa Shafer
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader Sandy Shiloh posted a photo of a javelina waking up from a nap.
Sandy Shiloh
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader Veronica Ayala posted this late-night javelina photo. She wrote, "When my son was a month old, they were up for a midnight feeding also."
Veronica Ayala
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader Santanya Santa Cruz posted a photo of this twosome.
Santanya Santa Cruz
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader Art Aldama posted a photo of javelinas caught in the act.
Art Aldama
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader Doris Doug Evans posted this javelina photo taken in her yard on Tucson's west side.
Doris Doug Evans
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader Kathy Erickson posted this javelina yard sale photo.
Kathy Erickson
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Facebook reader Bea Herron posted this yawning javelina photo.
Bea Herron
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Linda Wallace-Gray took this photo at her home in the Tucson Mountains. "This female javelina had twins although only one is in this picture. If you look closely this baby was just born as it still has its cord. She is a very attentive and caring mother. The herd comes by regularly and are very fun to watch." Submitted by Linda Wallace-Gray. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com , or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Linda Wallace-Gray
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Helen Horton took this photo of javelina and their babies from her backyard (in The Preserve in Dove Mountain) looking into the desert. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com , or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Helen Horton
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
A cute one of 5 Javelina hanging out in the bushes near the riparian area in Tohono Chul Park Wednesday June 26, 2013, in Tucson, Arizona. There were 3 adults and 2 baby's. Photo by Benjie Sanders/Arizona Daily Star. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com , or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Benjie Sanders/Arizona Daily Sta
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
A Javelina asking "what's this?" A herd of Javelina trying to keep warm under a large palo verde tree. Photo by John and Sandy Rees. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com , or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
John and Sandy Rees
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
This family of javelinas came to visit on the back patio of a residence on E. Stillwater Drive in Tucson, after one of their "family members" discovered the pleasantries of the property earlier that afternoon. Photo courtesy of Meitie Wilson. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com , or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Meitie Wilson
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Mama javelina and her two babies in a wash after a rain near her home. 2007. Photo Joyce Williams. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com , or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Joyce Williams
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
Taken by Emily Sherman on June 20, 2008 near Saguaro National Park, East, of Javelina piglings feeding with their mother. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com , or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Emily Sherman
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
I took this in my front yard today. I think it's a great reminder that javelinas are still wild animals and should be given plenty of space. I took this through my kitchen window. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com , or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
John Smith via Facebook
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
It may look like these three javelina are playing soccer with a pumpkin snatched from a neighborhood porch, but having fresh pumpkins on the porch can be dangerous to wildlife, pets and people. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com , or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
John Rademaker 2007
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
From the Arizona Daily Star's reader gallery. Send us your javelina photos to eds@tucson.com , or post it to the Star's Facebook page at facebook.com/arizonadailystar
Uploaded by: Charlotte C. (quail place)
Javelinas in Southern Arizona
Updated
Dec 6, 2017
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY PATTY ZUCCO
Contact reporter Gloria Knott at gknott@tucson.com or 573-4235. On Twitter: @gloriaeknott