Re: “Aggressive deer reported in Oak Bay” in the June 24 Oak Bay News.
Let me get this straight, I have just finished paying my property taxes so that I cannot garden as I wish, I’m supposed to buy deer-resistant plants or not plant or put up deer fencing (at my own expense).
I cannot safely go for a walk in my neighbourhood without carrying a large stick to create space around myself or I must change my routes to avoid aggressive deer and I am to give deer a wide berth.
Excuse me, but I thought I lived in an urban area where humans came first. I have lived in Oak Bay for over 30 years and the deer problem was not an issue for the majority of that time.
Do the math – a doe used to have one fawn, now she is having two and sometimes three with no known natural enemy present.
The elected Oak Bay council will have to address this issue and stop passing the buck to the province. Is there any effective way to apply pressure to solve this problem? Maybe cast a different vote next municipal election and or possibly stop paying property taxes.
PS. Deer contraception will not decrease the current number of deer damaging our gardens.
D.M. Ward
Oak Bay