Urban Deer

Deer are wild animals and as such can be dangerous. Do not approach deer or their fawns. Does (female deer) can be aggressive during their fawning season from May through June each year.

Mule deer bucks can be aggressive during the rut (breeding season) from November through December. If your presence creates a response from a deer, like a change in stance, ear position or physical movement, you are too close. Give the deer plenty of space – 15 to 20 metres – to either move or exit the area. Do not walk closer to the deer.

Council adopted a bylaw to prohibit feeding deer. The bylaw states you cannot provide deer with food by intentionally leaving food, food waste or other attractive edible material intended for the sole purpose of feeding deer.

For example, leaving out a bale of hay, bag of apples or other compostable food scraps on a residential lot or property where these items are not consistently being grown or produced for human consumption would be seen as an infraction of the bylaw.

There are a few techniques that can be used to protect your property from deer. A combination of landscaping with deer-resistant plants, frightening and hazing techniques and deer repellants can reduce deer damage to your yard and property.

However, adequate fencing is the most certain method to preventing damage from deer in your yard. Talk to your landscape professional or visit a local nursery to find out more about repellants and deer-resistant plants for your area.

Tips

• NO welcome mats – make your yard feel unsafe for deer. Clear brush away from the perimeter to reduce ‘cover’ and discourage bedding down areas.
• NO loitering – discourage deer from hanging around on your property. Make them feel vulnerable so they move on. Try a loud shaker can.

For more information about reducing conflict with deer, visit wildsafebc.com.

The mule deer’s key spring and winter foods include:

• Shrubs: sagebrush, bitterbrush, Douglas maple and Saskatoon
• Grasses and herbs: Douglas fir trees, balsamroot, clover and fireweed

Deer-related complaints should be directed to the Provincial Conservation Office at 1-877-952-7277.

To contact the City
Phone: 250-490-2400
Email: urbandeer@penticton.ca