The abundance of mule deer in the Quesnel, Williams Lake, and 100 Mile House corridor may be more of a matter of public perception than fact, according to Roger Stewart, Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) resource management director.
Stewart's comments follow a letter written in May by a Quesnel resident who complained about a "veritable plague of deer," noting he saw six of them in his backyard at one time.
The writer suggested deer not only destroy vegetation but also pose risks to the travelling public and could attract predators that pose a risk to children and pets.
"I understand the law prohibits ordinary citizens from taking any meaningful action to reduce or eradicate these pests, but surely something could be done," he wrote.
However, Stewart says that since 2006, the ministry has endeavoured to reduce the mule deer population by 30 per cent. At this time, he adds, the MFLNRO believes it has achieved its target.
The reduction was achieved through increasing hunting opportunities for antlerless deer and through two hard winters in three years, he says, adding harsh winters affect a deer's ability to survive, as well as impacts their productivity come the following spring.
Mule deer, he notes, are attracted to urban areas because of the lack of predators in addition to the abundance of food.
"We make communities safe havens for deer. We grow these wonderful nutritious crops for lawns and gardens and we tend to abhor predators, so we actively manage for bears, wolves, coyotes and cougars
"It's a safe, food-laden environment so they will focus there."
The same principle applies to roadway verges, he adds.
"Particularly this spring with there being so much snow so late and so cold with the green up on the shrubs and forage so late that those deer focused on areas where they were easy to see and people got the impression that there's lots of deer around.
"Well, the reverse is true. It's just that the deer are all concentrated in these localities, which is normal."
Robyn Chambers is a Williams Lake Tribune staff writer.