Dear editor:
I’ve lived next to Eighth Street for more than 12 years and have witnessed the deer using the same trails out of the bush and into the yards, including mine, eating my plants, licking clean the bird feeders (also in the winter), and enjoying the apples.
The deer not only come out of the bush because we feed them, the wolves drive them out and the bugs do in the summer.
If there’s such a fuss over some of the residents feeding them during the bitter cold and when the snow is deep, the rest of the town should maybe take a look at the other three seasons when they still come into our yards to feed on the gardens, bird feed, and apple and cedar trees (which are year-round food for them).
Is this only a winter problem? There’s a bigger problem of these beautiful creatures being hit on the highways than in our town limits.
I know of many residents, young and old, who like to feed the deer and enjoy watching them. If you’re wondering if I was one of them, the answer is “yes,” and I guess I’m also guilty of feeding them the rest of the seasons with my numerous gardens, seed in my feeders, and the other wildlife that do grace my yard.
The sets of mallard ducks that come into my yard in the spring also are fed corn. Will I also be charged and fined if I’m caught doing this?
To me, this “no feeding” bylaw just doesn’t make much sense when we provide food for them the other seasons right in our backyards. How are we guilty of this?
Maybe the motorists should slow down during dusk and dawn, as asked to do so often, and keep off the cellphones while driving!
Signed,
Susann Boivin
Fort Frances, Ont.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
