As you study the deer situation in Kimberley I'd like you to consider the following:

I live in Townsite on a corner lot. A few years ago, as the deer numbers in Townsite grew and their activities became more and more destructive, I erected a 6 foot high fence. It goes from the front corner of my house to the side road, down to the back property line, along the back property line and back up to the far side of the house. That seems to have kept the deer out of the yard and away from my gardens in those areas.

I have also gone to great lengths and expense to deer-proof the front of the house. I want to have gardens in the summer; they are an attractive part of an urban environment. So my garden plants have all been replaced with plants which, according to legend, the deer do not eat. I've found that not to be the case. Deer are eating everything!!! It appears that the deer are not reading the same literature as I am. The deer are also trying to strip off chicken wire that I've wrapped around my shrubs even though they are sprayed with a repellent as well.

On the afternoon of New Years Eve, I was working behind the house with the front gate open. In very little time, a young buck, a doe and 2 fawns were inside the fenced area. They began to chow down on my cedars and junipers. Shouting at them, moving toward them and clapping my hands didn't faze them. I had to pick up a shovel to chase them, shovel overhead. Even then, they only moved a minimal amount. I had to chase each one off my lot. Less than ½ an hour later, they were back and I went through the same exercise.

Later that evening, we went out. Judging by the fresh deer feces when we returned, the deer had been back a third time, and frequently in the 10 days since. Last night (10th Jan) we were awakened by deer on the front porch, eating our junipers. This morning I tried to chase them off again, but they stood there looking as if they were expecting to be fed. Again, they had to be threatened and chased with a shovel. Rest assured, I do not feed the deer!

I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say I feel under siege! I have buckets full of deer feces around my house. I chase the deer away & they return. They threaten my family and dog at my own home. Also, there's no doubt in my mind that these deer are being fed, probably by hand. Their reaction indicates this.

Incubation areas: I take exception to any suggestion that we have to worry about so called "incubation areas". These deer are urban residents. They are living, feeding (or being fed), breeding and giving birth here in town. The evidence is there. Also, in my forays into the bush, whether it's Lois Creek, Mark Creek, the Nature Park, the X-country ski trails or elsewhere, deer sightings are few if any. The term "incubation areas" appears to me to be a red herring.

Predators: Deer have natural predators: wolves, coyotes, cougars and man. But in town we've taken all the predators out of the equation and given deer a protected environment. We're suffering as a result. Pets have been injured, people have reportedly been chased and injured and residents have suffered many thousands of dollars of property damage.

Cominco fences: In recent years Teck has erected high fences around the Mark Creek valley. These appear too high for the deer to jump and could possibly be restricting their movements into and out of this area.

If the population is not drastically reduced or relocated, Kimberley will have serious problems. It may be more injuries to property, pets and people or it may be in the form of more predators in town as we've seen recently. Because the numbers will only increase if action isn't taken soon.

One final question:

Why is it all right to kill all "problem" bears, but it takes consultation and hand-wringing to kill 4 aggressive deer? To my knowledge, no-one has ever been threatened or injured by a bear here in town, but there have been many animal injuries from the deer.

Ian Ferrie

Jeannie MacDonald

601 Tadanac Blvd

250 427-0044