Don’t feed the deer

Deer have always wandered into town from time to time, but clearly the situation has gotten out of hand.
They’ve been a bane to gardeners in the north end for years, although that’s no big surprise given the close proximity of the bush line to their homes. But deer now are being spotted in neighbourhoods they had never frequented before and in larger and larger groups, with reports of up to 14 congregating in one subdivision alone.
We all know the deer population has exploded across Northwestern Ontario, so it’s inevitable that more and more will find their way into town. Compounding the problem, however, is the fact that some residents actively feed the deer, either so they can watch the “cute” animals up close or perhaps out of concern for their well-being—particularly during a harsh winter like we had this year.
It’s a practice that must stop.
It isn’t just that the deer are wreaking havoc on people’s flowers, gardens, and shrubs. It’s also a safety issue as seen in the rise of vehicle/deer collisions in town, not to mention concerns over the possible spread of chronic-wasting disease and fears of attracting more wolves to residential areas in search of their prey.
True, deer may not be the most pressing problem facing the town these days, and we’ll never be able to keep every one out. But council took the right step in passing a bylaw back in January that banned feeding wildlife (except birds, squirrels, and chipmunk) within town limits, following the lead of other towns like Kenora and Dryden, in hopes of at least stemming the tide.
It’s up to all residents to obey the bylaw—and the town to strictly enforce it.