This year's aggressive raccoon rabies oral vaccination initiative has ended.

Jefferson County Public Health, however, is encouraging landowners to move any baits they find in the open to areas where there's heavier vegetation. The baits consist of fishmeal, a wax binder and fish oil.

"We do ask if they're out in the middle of their yard, to toss them under bushes or a fence line," said Donna R. Grant, Jefferson County supervising public health nurse.

People should wash their hands after handling them, she said.

The baits, which are geared for raccoons, foxes and skunks, won't hurt dogs or cats if they happen to eat them, she said.

The effort was held this past week in conjunction with neighboring counties, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and Cornell University, Ithaca.