I have been following the letters that have been submitted dealing with Kimberley's deer problem. I would like to offer some of my thoughts on the debate. The problem is real and will only get worse if some form of action is not implemented.

Living in an area that is famous for wildlife is a real privilege and I really enjoy the animal diversity that we have. I do, however, have a problem with the resident deer herd. They are not wild animals anymore. They have lost their fear of humans and dogs, which is not normal.

When I go on my walks it is very scary to see young parents pushing a baby carriage with their dog tied to it. It is entirely possible that a doe defending her fawn or a buck in rut could see the dog as a threat and go after it. What then becomes the fate of the infant in the carriage?

The deer also stand on the roadways and will not run off when vehicles approach, resulting in deer with broken legs. It is a pathetic sight to see an animal dragging itself. In the wilderness the injured animals would be put out of its misery by a predator.

The deer are also feeding on garbage in the transfer station, which is disturbing. Residents who enjoy flowers and shrubs constantly have to outwit the deer. A lot of fences are eyesores and residents do not like them. The deer have created a huge market for manufacturers who claim to have deer-proof products.

The other factor in the debate is that deer are harmless. Everyone agrees that deer fawns are very cute, but so are bear cubs and cougar kittens and virtually every other newborn in the animal kingdom.

The problem is when the bear or cougar grow up we fear them, while the deer fawn grows up and can do no wrong. The cougar that was shot last year on the 'nurse's trail' in Kimberley last year was only doing what nature intended - it was killing deer to survive.

The thought of a cull is not politically correct, but it is probably the most effective. Kimberley Councillor Weston has stated that she is against a cull, but what does she offer as a solution? Why do people have no problem culling some animals, but deer get an exemption? Victoria even culled their exploding rabbit population, which I am sure was not very popular. We cull rats and mice because people dislike them, and they carry diseases, but so do deer. Sterilization will not work because it will be impossible to get all the deer.

A solution which might work would be to establish some fenced bait stations that would lure the deer in, and then they could be captured. Bait should be cheap, because they eat virtually everything.

People will argue that the deer will be stressed, but they relocated elk and bighorn sheep, and they survive. Cost is a major factor, and I think it is imperative that the provincial government addresses the problem. They will argue they have no money, but as we all witnessed in Vancouver with the Olympics and Paralympics, the government loves to spend money. The government says they are going to do a study and find a solution, but it will take months. Why? When the study is done, committees will be formed in various towns to deal with the situation and the deer will continue to be a problem. It looks like the issue will drag on forever.

Dale McBain

Kimberley