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Uplands resident weighs in on deer issue

Overpopulation due to lack of predators will worsen in Greater Victoria, reader writes

We live in the Uplands and have for years managed the deer issue in a pragmatic way with fencing and planting supposedly deer-resistant shrubs, etc.

The last couple of years however, have seen a bumper crop of fawns. In two or three years, I think the numbers are going to alarm even conservation-minded citizens.

We’ve all heard of problems that go beyond gardens being destroyed: car accidents; aggressive does or bucks charging pets and people; health issues resulting from ticks and deer feces, and significant crop losses from area farms.

Going forward, it will get much worse. To those who would say we are encroaching on the natural habitat of deer, I would invite them to ask any 80- or 90-year-old resident if there were deer in the city 30 or 40 years ago. The answer is no, there were not.

The simple fact is that living in the wild with their natural predators produces a sustainable balance. We have created a lush salad bar for them to feed on and chased away all the natural predators. Who can blame the deer?

I believe that an initial cull, followed by a sensible management plan is the only realistic option. In regard to any such cull, with people citing concerns about Bambi meeting a horrible end with bolt guns and cages, etc., would it not make sense to use some sort of tranquilizer dart and then retrieve the sleeping deer for relocation, butchering, euthanizing or whatever plan has been agreed upon?

It certainly would be safer and offer much less drama.

Tom Pink

Oak Bay