UWSS FAQs:

WHAT KIND OF DEER LIVE IN OAK BAY?
The only species of “urban” deer typically seen in Oak Bay and surrounding municipalities is the Columbian Black-tailed Deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus), a sub-species of the Mule Deer. The black-tailed deer are native to Vancouver Island, and have adapted to a variety of ecosystems across North America over thousands of years. Residential development, logging and grazing have reduced historical deer habitat. Some black-tailed deer, however, are managing to survive in these altered environments, including Oak Bay and surrounding municipalities.

HOW MANY DEER LIVE IN OAK BAY?

As reported in our UWSS 2019 Progress Report, at that time there were about 100 deer in all of Oak Bay. This was established using a combination of radio/GPS collars in conjunction with an array of motion-triggered wildlife cameras that allow us to calculate an accurate deer population size. This form of mark-recapture study allows us to capture photos of both tagged and untagged deer. If local governments want to know more about how many deer there are and where they live, they need to be able to track their movements. This is a standard approach to wildlife research used around the globe.

WHY ARE SOME DEER IN OAK BAY WEARING COLLARS?

Twenty does in Oak Bay were originally fitted with radio/GPS collars in 2018 in order to study their movement patterns and distribution. This has given us valuable insights into urban deer ecology. We replaced those collars in 2020 with unique tag/colour combinations so we know which deer have been treated with immuno-contraception (IC) or are part of our un-treated control group of deer. For more info check our blog.

DO THE COLLARS HURT THE DEER?

The 20 GPS collars we originally used weighed less than 1 pound, and did not impact collared deer in any significant negative way. Those collars have since been replaced with coloured collar/tag combinations that are even more lightweight. There is no evidence that collars cause any harm to the animal. However, we take all reports of collar-induced injury seriously and consult with our wildlife veterinarian immediately.

WHAT IS IMMUNO-CONTRACEPTION (IC)?
Immuno-contraception (IC) is a type of vaccine that induces the animal to produce antibodies that prevent fertilization and the formation of an embryo. As with other vaccines, some IC vaccines have to be administered repeatedly. However, we are hoping to initiate the development of a long-term IC vaccine that would last for the majority of a doe’s reproductive span.
WHY IMMUNO-CONTRACEPTION (IC) AND NOT A CULL OR TRANSLOCATION?

Experience in other jurisdictions has shown that translocation, i.e. trapping and moving animals to other areas, is not always effective (many animals move back to urban environments) and detrimental to the deer (poor survival statistics in an unaccustomed environment).

In a lethal cull, deer are caught in baited net traps, stunned with a bolt gun to the skull and the throat is slit until death from bleeding. Culls are not supported by the BCSPCA. Culls have also been shown to actually increase the local deer population. A program in Kelowna has demonstrated that after five years of culling, the deer population is now 36% higher than before their removal.

Once deer are removed from the population – through either culls or translocations – deer from neighbouring areas move into the now available habitat.

On the other hand, IC-vaccinated deer will maintain their home ranges, deterring inward migration. IC-vaccination may also reduce the number of “aggressive deer” because vaccinated does won’t have fawns to defend. And does that aren’t lactating eat less.

WHY DON'T WE STERILIZE BUCKS INSTEAD?

Each doe has the ability to produce one or two fawns each year. Sterilizing bucks isn’t a great solution because deer are not a monogamous species. If we miss sterilizing just one buck, that male could impregnate all of the does, having no impact on population growth. For each doe that we give contraception to, we’re decreasing the coming year’s fawn population by 1 or 2 animals. Thus females hold the key to population growth.

HOW ARE DEER CAPTURED AND TREATED WITH THE CONTRACEPTIVE VACCINE?

The most stress-free method (for deer!) to be immobilized is chemical immobilization, i.e. a form of anesthetic delivered by GPS dart by a licenced wildlife veterinarian. The wildlife veterinarian is supported by a field crew of biologists and trained volunteers who help stabilize the animal (this was the method used for successfully capturing and GPS collaring twenty does). The veterinarian will hand-inject the anesthetised doe with the contraceptive vaccine. Once vaccinated, the veterinarian will administer a reversal drug to wake her up. She will then be free to carry on with her life unencumbered.

WHEN WILL OAK BAY DEER BE TREATED WITH IMMUNO-CONTRACEPTIVE VACCINE?

The first immuno-contraception (IC) treatments took place in the early fall 2019.  Since then, and as a result of the culmination of all the reseach, the Province of BC has now approved IC as a new viable option for urban deer management as of Fall 2025!

The next IC treatment of deer in the District of Oak Bay, BC, will be in Fall 2026 led by Dr. Adam Hering of HERD Wildlife Management and Consulting.

Fawns are typically born late May through June, although late-comers can be born throughout the summer. HERD will avoid the stress of handling any does and fawns during this critical period. However, IC needs to be administered before the rutting and mating season in November.

HOW QUICKLY WILL THE OAK BAY DEER POPULATION DECLINE AFTER IMMUNO-CONTRACEPTION?

That depends on what proportion of the deer population is treated. In 2019, we were able to administer immuno-contraception (IC) to 60 does in Oak Bay. Our 2019 permit allowed us to administer IC to up to 80 does in Oak Bay—but we could only find 60 to treat that were not part of our control group—since preliminary analysis estimates the number of deer at 97, we expect that represented nearly complete coverage. The 2020 permit allowed for the same number of does to be given IC.

Boosters were administered through to 2021.

HERD will be administering IC in Fall 2026 and we expect a similar decline in the fawning rate in Spring 2027 (as detailed in the final research reports to the Province).

WHAT ASSURANCES ARE THERE THAT DEER WILL BE TREATED HUMANELY?
The Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society adheres to the principles of Compassionate Conservation, valuing the welfare of individual animals as much as protection of species and habitat. In addition, our collaring and IC-vaccination project has passed rigorous animal care approvals set out by the Canadian Council on Animal Care, as well as those required by BC Fish and Wildlife. Our project, and our licenses to conduct this valuable research and management project would not have been approved without meeting those stringent requirements. We are ensuring that humane treatment is our utmost priority by having a licenced wildlife veterinarian and wildlife biologist oversee all field operations. We also have the support of the BC SPCA, the Victoria Humane Society, and cooperate with BC’s Provincial veterinarian who oversees all wildlife animal care for the entire province.
DOES THIS PROGRAM REQUIRE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT?
This research and immuno-contraception project is being co-funded by the province of British Columbia and the municipality of Oak Bay. We are operating under a provincial wildlife permit, which can only be granted if the project meets stringent animal care regulations and requirements.
WILL THIS PROGRAM GET RID OF DEER IN MY GARDEN?
Even with lower numbers, a deer can enter a yard and browse on flowers unless it is fenced. It’s important to remember that many residents enjoy and support the presence of deer in our community. No one is proposing that deer, which are native to this area, be eliminated from Oak Bay. The deer are here to stay. There are many proven non-lethal measures that residents and municipalities can take to co-exist with deer, such as fencing, scare devices, repellents, deer-resistant landscaping, and anti-feeding bylaws. This is where we will be asking local governments to recognize their responsibility for public education and mitigation measures. We are happy to provide them with the benefits of our expertise and experience.

HOW WILL THIS PROGRAM PROTECT US FROM AGGRESSIVE DEER?
Deer are only “aggressive” to people and/or dogs when they’re feeling threatened, especially when protecting fawns. As the immuno-contraceptive program progresses there will be fewer fawns for the does to defend. In addition, a sustained public education campaign will help people better understand deer behaviour and how to avoid conflict. A deer that stands alert facing you or starts approaching you and your dog, is usually a doe with a fawn – which may not be visible but hidden near-by. It’s a good idea to keep dogs (dangerous predators from the point of view of a mother doe) on leash, give the deer space by backing slowly away and finding an alternate route. It helps to avoid looking directly at a defensive deer while keeping it in sight out of the corners of your eyes—predators “stare” at potential prey, so deer interpret a direct stare as potentially dangerous.
HOW WILL THIS PROGRAM HELP REDUCE VEHICLE-DEER COLLISIONS?
Our data will help to identify the specific locations where, when and why deer cross roads. In these areas we suggest that roadside vegetation be removed or pruned to increase visibility, parking be restricted, lighting be improved, and warning signs be erected. We hope the Oak Bay municipality will work with us to lower and enforce speed limits along roads where there have been a high number of vehicle-deer collisions. But the greatest reduction in collisions will be achieved through educating drivers about the importance of reducing speed, being alert, and understanding deer travel patterns. In Ottawa, the driver education program Speeding Will Cost You Deerly has reduced collisions by 40 per cent.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE UWSS?

We invite anyone who believes in the importance of a non-lethal approach to wildlife stewardship to join our campaign.

Please visit our “Ways you can help” pages or contact us.