Deer Problem?

In the last few years Victoria has had an increasing number of sightings of deer in its neighborhoods. Deer on Vancouver Island tend to be of a smaller stature than those of the rest of the province of British Columbia. Nonetheless, deer are becoming a city-wide problem.

We have all seen them in the neighborhood. They are more prolific in the outlying areas of Victoria, such as the Saanich Peninsula, Colwood, Langford, Bear Mountain, the Highlands, and on up island. We live in Cordova Bay which is a community within the municipality of Saanich.

The pictures were taken yesterday in our own garden. You can likely see that the daffodils have not been touched. They apparently are distasteful to the deer. The pictures show you deer eating grass. Yes, they eat other things too, but if you visit a couple of websites, you can quickly find out what to plant in your garden that most deer will avoid. We are fortunate enough to have a 6 foot fence in our backyard that is a non-see-through fence. Deer are reluctant to jump over fences when they cannot see what is on the other side.

We also have Tessa, our Australian Shepherd. She is a great guardian of the backyard. We have been in our house for almost two years. The backyard fence was built the second day after we moved in. Because of the fence and Tessa, we have never seen a deer in our backyard. The neighbors have said that in years past, not only were the deer in the backyard, but that they actually birthed their young under our big willow tree in the back corner of the yard.

We have learned what to plant in our front yard garden so as to discourage deer from eating our expensive nursery stock. For example, one of my favorite plants is the rhododendron. Deer will leave rhodos untouched. There is a multitude of websites that tell you what to plant and what not to plant when you have deer in your neighborhood. Google "deer resistant plants".

I like to see deer in our front yard. I take pictures of them and talk to them and they don't run away. They are beautiful creatures and are becoming more tame. Some would say, "That's the problem. People like you are making them tame."

I was at a meeting last evening in my community where citizens are concerned and are asking the municipality to do something about the "problem." Frankly, I don't agree. I think we should leave them alone.

My wife and I have traveled to Europe on numerous occasions and marvel at the way animals are part of the English culture. Dogs are taken everywhere and are allowed in stores and pubs. Fields with cows, sheep and goats often grant access to the public through the existence ancient walkways. You can come up alongside these animals and almost pet them. I think this is healthy. In Austria and Germany, for example, barns are built attached to the houses so that farmers can be close to their animals.

As far as I know, deer do not pose a health risk. That is to say, they don't carry diseases. They do occasionally get hit by cars on our roadways, which is unavoidable. Cats and dogs get hit by cars as well. Deer are larger than cats and dogs, so damage caused by a collision can be more costly to repair, I agree.

It would be interesting to read some comments on this issue. If I need some educating about the problems with deer, well please educate! Feel free to state your opinion.