The deer population is down in the Weyburn area this year compared to past years, but will be seen inside the city as more snow is received. Lindsey Leko, a conservation officer in Weyburn, said/ the number of deer are down for one main reason.
The deer population is down in the Weyburn area this year compared to past years, but will be seen inside the city as more snow is received. Lindsey Leko, a conservation officer in Weyburn, said/ the number of deer are down for one main reason.
"We have provided depredation tags for hunters to harvest deer in the northwest of the city of Weyburn. This is where the majority of the deer are right now," Leko explained.
The deer in the Weyburn area are having a very hard time finding food this winter because of the heavy amount of snowfall the area has received so far this season.
"With the increased amount of snowfall and freezing rain earlier in December, a crust was formed, making it hard on the deer," Leko said.
Because of the heavy amount of snowfall the Weyburn area has received, the deer are likely to begin wandering into the city looking for food in the form of shrubs as well as looking for cover in yards of residents.
"We see the larger numbers in and around Souris Valley and down at River Park," Leko said, explaining where the deer like to gather the most in Weyburn. "We do not see many deer wandering around the northeast area of the city but we do have deer from time-to-time enter the downtown area, especially around the courthouse area."
Deer have been very destructive in past years, "eating stored feed such as alfalfa, eating shrubs and fruit trees in yards, and, of course the ever-present problem of being involved in motor vehicle accidents."
Leko said that because the conservation officers no longer look after deer damage complaints as they relate to stored feed and hay, the overall number of complaints made by Weyburn and area residents pertaining to damage done by deer is down. However, the officers still look after complaints regarding damage to trees and property in the city and in rural areas around Weyburn.
"Overall, the number of complaints are down due to the (lower) number of deer and the fact that residents take preventative measures to protect their yards," Leko said.
"If you have deer in your area the best thing you can do is be pro-active," Leko said, explained how to stop deer from entering your yard and destroying your property. "Deer like the soft needle shrubs such as junipers, cedars, white spruce, Scotch pine, mugo pine and fruit trees. Preventative measures such as wrapping your trees with burlap or cloth will make the deer go elsewhere to feed. You can hang aluminum pie plates from your tree because it creates reflection and noise which the deer do not like."
"We have to remember that deer are wild animals and should be treated as such," Leko advised. "Do not get into the habit of feeding them because you think they are starving - they are not. If you feed the deer it will only create problems for you and your neighbours."
