Falling into the rut
by Jen BlytheIt’s that time of year! While we’ve all enjoyed the brisk, sunny transition to fall, the shorter, darker, days are here, and so is the rain. A reminder to not let the fall weather bring the ‘perfect storm’ for deer or you!Some strategies for reducing...
Cats on the prowl
Have you heard more about cougars on Vancouver Island over the last few weeks? Farmers in the province have reported losing dozens of lambs in the past two months. Our lead researcher on the deer project, Dr. Jason Fisher was interviewed on CBC Radio's "All Points...
Abnormal antler growth
Photo from Vancouver Island Free Daily: Oak Bay resident Doug Clarke posted a photo of a male deer with a growth at the bottom of its left antler, taken on May 22 in the Rockland neighbourhood. (Courtesy of Doug Clarke/Facebook) Friends on the Oak Bay Local Facebook...
Are those collars too tight?
A big thank you to Dr. Adam Hering and team of volunteers who have just finished a month of collar and welfare checks for the does in the Oak Bay Urban Deer Research Project. Through the winter we sometimes hear from concerned community members about collars on does...
Black-tailed deer about town
Are you interested in the latest results of the Oak Bay Deer project? Lead researcher Dr. Jason T. Fisher and wildlife veterinarian Dr. Adam Hering recently presented the results of the project to the Botstiber Institute for Wildlife Fertility Control. You can view...
Love is in the Air: Hormones drive bachelor bucks to distraction
Buck behaviour during rutting season can seem unusual, but they’re really just single-minded as they follow the scent toward a doe. Jen Blyth / Black Press Media photo (article and photo reproduced with permission)You’re likely accustomed to seeing does strolling the...
Farewell to long-time supporter Marion Cumming
It is with sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Marion Cumming. Marion was one of the founding members of the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society, creating our logo, providing us with artwork that many of you have seen on our cards, and always encouraging and...
Keep your eyes peeled!
Starting this Monday, you'll be seeing our team out in Oak Bay doing collar checks. We want to make sure that as some of the deer have grown, their collars aren't too snug. We'll be making sure that collars fit snugly enough that there is room for two or three fingers...
The partnership continues!
We are happy to confirm that another year of provincial and municipal funding has been approved for this multi-year research project on urban deer and the impact of immuno-contraception (IC) as a deer population management tool. The Provincial Urban Deer Cost Share...
The results are in once more!
Expanding on the 2019 findings of where deer can be found in Oak Bay, we have been able to identify that deer hone in on areas with lush green vegetation and large-sized residential lots (as well as parks, green spaces, and golf courses). Results of our research to...
Did the COVID-19 lockdowns impact wildlife?
The COVID-19 lockdown impacted nature in many different ways, including giving us the opportunity to watch wildlife in our backyards. Our lead scientist on the Oak Bay and Esquimalt deer projects, Jason T. Fisher, and his lab also had the opportunity to see how...
When love is in the air
When love is in the air, bucks tend to be a bit single-minded. This piece found in Saanich News & Oak Bay News reminds us to be more aware of what bucks are doing, to avoid any unwanted interactions.