UWSS Signs Model for Other Communities
With a change in traffic patterns over the last few years, more frequent vehicle-deer accidents are beginning to occur on some roads in Maple Ridge. As a result, the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society’s “Caution – Expect Deer” signs are being recommended as a...
Information on Rutting Season
Black tailed deer only breed once a year, in the late fall. As the days shorten, hormone levels increase in buck deer, causing them to start rubbing their antlers on trees and bushes. They begin to fight with other male deer, pushing and shoving with their antlers to...
Deer Count in Oak Bay
If you happen to be out in the misty early dawn or dusk hours over the next few days and see a vehicle or two being driven slowly and methodically throughout Oak Bay, you're likely watching a deer count underway. As the final step in the CRD involvement in the Oak Bay...
False Cougar Sighting
A reported cougar sighting in Oak Bay last Friday, October 16, has turned out to be false. As reported in the Times Colonist, a young girl “cropped a photo of a cougar that was shot and killed in Edmonton last year”, saying it was a photo of a cougar taken near...
Wildlife Biologist Speaks Up
In a recent letter to the editor in the Times Colonist, retired wildlife biologist John Thornton is a scientific voice of reason as calls for a cull in Oak Bay due to cougar sightings begin to escalate. While residents should be careful to keep cats indoors, dogs on...
Happy Ending for James Bay Cougar
As reported in the Times Colonist article, a young cougar nabbed in James Bay is off to the wilderness. Thank you to the conservation officer for tranquilizing the cougar and relocating it. Most cougars that wander inadvertently into urban areas are young and...
Cougar Sighting: Use Caution When Out Walking
There has been a cougar sighting in Oak Bay, and residents should use caution when out walking, particularly with pets and small children. Cougars wander into the CRD every year from west of Goldstream - they have no idea whether there are deer in Oak Bay, Saanich or...
Times Colonist Editorial Calls on Science and Research for Deer Management!
A recent editorial in the Times Colonist, Province should lead on deer issue, calls on science and research for deer management. Editorial: Province should lead on deer issue Editorial: Province should lead on deer issue The Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society is happy...
Workshop on Successfully Living with Urban Deer
On September 30, come learn about deer natural history, past and current management strategies, and solutions to successfully co-existing with urban deer. Presenters will be: Heather Schmitt, Wild ARC Assistant Manager Bryan Gates, President Urban Wildlife Stewardship...
Dog Safety
The UWSS was saddened to learn today that a small dog was killed by a deer in someone’s back yard, near the Oak Bay border. We are waiting to learn the details and hope that such a sad ending won’t happen again. Many of us on the board of the UWSS have dogs and...
Two Upcoming Presentations
The UWSS has two upcoming presentations. On Saturday, September 12, Oak Bay Councillor Eric Zhelka will be hosting his regular “Community Roundtable” and has invited the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society President Bryan Gates to speak about deer. Bryan is a former...
Update on Request for Funding from the CRD
TWO STEPS FORWARD, ONE STEP BACK On Sept. 2, the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society presented a quick synopsis of our objectives to the Capital Regional District’s Finance Committee as part of an application to the CRD for a grant of $35,000 for our pilot project....