Deer

ABOUT DEEr

• Within urban areas, deer have enough habitat to provide them with cover for safety and trees and shrubs to browse for food.
• Deer have few natural predators within urban areas.

Did you know? Deer are normally timid and quick to flee when people come near, but can become surprisingly aggressive in protecting themselves and their young.

Threat to people

• Always keep your distance from any wildlife. If it appears that the deer will not run away as you approach, walk around the deer – giving it a lot of space – or bac away and find another route to your destination.
• Never approach fawns that have been temporarily left alone by their mothers. Their mothers will return, and if they see that you are too close to the fawn, they may attack.

What to do about deer on your property

• If a deer has found its way into your backyard, it can find its way out. Bring your children and pets into the house to minimize the stress on the visiting deer and wait for it to leave.
• Do not let your dog bark at or antagonize the deer. This can further stress the deer and lead to aggressive, self-defensive behaviours.
• Never feed deer. Deer can feed themselves, and leaving out salt blocks to attract deer may also attract the larger carnivores that prey on deer.
• Remove all food sources that may attract a deer, such as fallen apples and bird seed spilled from bird feeders.
• Vegetable gardens and fruit trees may need to be protected with suitable fencing