(CHAT News file photo)

By Brendan Miller

Senior wildlife biologist hopeful council adopts deer feeding bylaw

Jul 19, 2023 | 2:08 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – An official from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas says city officials need to take action to reduce the number of human interactions with deer in city limits.

Senior wildlife biologist Joel Nicholson told council Monday that the only time fish and wildlife officers will respond to any wildlife complaints within Medicine Hat city limits is when they pose a risk to public safety.

The city currently has no clear policy to deal with wildlife complaints. Nicholson said a proposed Urban Wildlife Management Bylaw will provide the city with more tools to reduce confrontations between humans and deer.

“From an agency standpoint our wildlife law based on the Wildlife Act and accompanying wildlife regulation is more provincial in scope,” said Nicholson. “It is not the right tool to use to deal with deer in a municipality or urban type environment like this.”

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As well as reducing confrontations between neighbours when deer are attracted to residential properties, Nicholson said the bylaw will benefit the health of deer.

He said it’s common for mule deer to contract Chronic Wasting Disease, which is transferred among them when deer congregate at a food source.

“Perhaps two animals eating at the same food source, one is ill, one is not, the other one gets the disease from the saliva,” explained Nicholson.

Nicholson encouraged council to adopt the Urban Wildlife Management Bylaw to help reduce those human interactions with deer.

“What we want to do is reduce the level of habituation of wildlife which means they are not acting like wild animals anymore because they are being fed, because they are basically spending their whole life in town,” said Nicholson.

Feeding of feral cats, rabbits and birds is not included in the proposed bylaw. However, bird feeders should be placed in an area inaccessible to other wildlife.

Any landscaping materials including fruit-bearing plants, trees or shrubs on private property are also exempt from the bylaw.

Fines for first offences range from $500-$2,500.

Feeding or attempting to feed wildlife on public lands, leaving food for consumption or leaving food unattended on public lands could lead to a fine of $500.

Killing or injuring wildlife as well as harbouring or trapping wildlife could lead to a fine of up to $2,500.

Council is expected to vote on the bylaw at a future meeting.

Provincial officials are also working with the Town of Redcliff to draft a similar bylaw.