According to statistics from the city’s deer counts, including the most recent, the population of deer has leveled out.
In 2007, 131 deer were counted, in 2008 there were 156, 2009 saw 205 deer, 2010 saw 174, last year saw 179 while this year, 154 deer were counted within the City of Grand Forks.
But while there was a decrease from last year and this year, it isn’t reason to relax attitudes towards feeding ungulates and wildlife for that matter.
Local residents, including members of the environment and deer committees, have expressed dismay about residents feeding deer.
Besides being a nuisance for gardeners, deer are also hazardous to motorists coming through the area, accidents are something members of the deer committee say account partially for the stabilization of the deer population in the city.
Deer have been seen crossing Central Avenue and Highway 3 not only during the night and twilight hours but in broad daylight and also in other streets in the city, whether it be a well-travelled road or a side street.
There have been numerous reports about major accidents involving vehicle-deer collisions and in some cases, the deer have to be put down because of the injuries.
People should deer-proof their gardens with fencing to ensure that deer don’t get in.
It’s possible that the number of deer could increase by the time next year’s deer count is conducted and that would bring up ways to control the herd.
The issue of a deer cull in the city isn’t being discussed at the moment but there could be more urgency if there were to be a deer population boom and that can be avoided in part if people stop feeding deer and deer proof properties – let them feed naturally, as what people feed them might do more harm than good.
A deer cull isn’t a pleasant thought for anyone, residents, drivers, gardeners or otherwise but could be a necessity if the city is over-run with deer again.
The first step to avoiding that is by people not feeding deer.
– Grand Forks Gazette
