The City of Kimberley is participating in an Urban Deer Translocation Trial project starting in mid-February and running through to mid-March.

The translocation trial project will be conducted by VAST Resource Solutions and B.C. government biologists and veterinarians. Female deer (does) will be captured by tranquilizer darts or in non-collapsible clover traps. The mule deer will be transported to winter ranges in the East Kootenay where mule deer populations are in decline.

The city has contributed $10,000 towards the East Kootenay Urban Deer Translocation Trial Project, partnering with the District of Elkford, District of Invermere, and the City of Cranbrook, Upper Kootenay Ecosystem Enhancement Program, BC Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resources, Animal Alliance of Canada, and local wildlife clubs who have also contributed funding.

Of the mule deer captured, 28 does will be fitted with GPS collars between the four communities. The GPS collars will report the does’ location twice per day, and the study will determine mortality rates, distance travelled, and home ranges.

“The issues associated with urban deer are not going to go away,” stated Mayor Don McCormick. “Municipalities have limited options for dealing with these issues, and translocation seems to be one option that is supported by all interest groups. If successful, translocation will offer far more flexibility than a cull and be a welcome addition to our toolkit.”

The City of Kimberley has taken many innovative steps towards controlling the urban deer population. A bylaw prohibiting the feeding of deer has been instituted, and increased fence heights are allowed for back yards. The bylaw officer has also been deploying warning signage to areas where doe and fawns are spotted, and the city and Urban Deer Advisory Committee has been providing education to elementary age school children on avoiding conflict with deer.

In May of 2013, the City of Kimberley conducted a one-day aversive conditioning trial utilizing border collies to herd deer out of the city. The latest count shows that the number of deer within the city are on the decline.

Sites selected for darting are larger green spaces away from private property. The public may discover temporary bait stations with hay intended to attract deer to these areas. The city asks you to avoid these areas if you come across them, especially while walking dogs. The public can expect to see field crews with low-velocity dart guns in these areas while capture work is in progress. In order to reduce the stress on the captured deer, the city requests that the public avoid altogether the deer and the translocation crew.

City of Kimberley

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