Last spring, Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park in West Kelowna closed during fawning season for public safety. Located next to Okanagan Lake, the popular dog walking park had made unwelcome headlines in 2023 when an aggressive deer fatally attacked an on-leash dog. The park didn’t want more dangerous encounters.
Every spring across Kelowna, community Facebook pages include posts about deer behaving badly, from stalking walkers and hikers on roads and trails, to charging at barking dogs in back alleys. Problems are so common, B.C.’s wildlife hotline gets more than 4,000 deer-related calls annually, second only to black bears.
With fawning season kicking off in April, Kelowna residents and visitors should take steps to reduce deer-human encounters, says WildSafeBC, an organization focused on reducing conflict with wildlife through education and community solutions.
“Give deer a wide berth, and keep dogs on leash and under control,” says Cora Skaien, a support provider with WildSafeBC. “If a deer indicates it might attack (by laying its ears back and lowering its head), we recommend avoiding eye contact, speaking softly, and backing away slowly.”
In Kelowna, where many neighbourhoods border parkland, deer move in for easy food, says Skaien. They snack on cedar hedges, fallen fruit, and bird seed from feeders. (Skaien says people should never intentionally feed deer, as food-conditioning can lead to health problems and make them more aggressive.)
Deer also seek shelter in communities because they’re safe from predators, especially when giving birth. It’s not uncommon for a doe to stash her fawn in tall grasses in a yard—or even on someone’s front porch—while she goes off grazing.
“In communities where deer are getting used to being around people, they’re losing their fear of humans,” says Skaien. “Any animal that’s habituated becomes more of a safety concern.”
At the same time, more people are hiking, jogging, and mountain biking in “interface” areas where neighbourhoods abut natural areas, increasing the likelihood of startling a protective doe. “So we are seeing an increase in negative encounters,” says Skaien.
In addition to leashing dogs and giving deer space, homeowners can make their yards less appealing by removing excess vegetation, picking up fallen fruit, or even planting unappetizing species like lavender or barberry. They can also fence yards to keep deer out, or consider motion-activated lights or sprinklers to spook them away.
“Enjoy them from a distance,” says Skaien. “Help them stay wild.”
Need to report a wildlife problem? Call B.C.’s conservation hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
Related Story Is it okay to feed wildlife? Here’s when to jump in and when to step back
Related Story A British Columbian paddleboarder is facing a $2,500 fine for getting too close to wild killer whales
Related Story B.C. deer spotted wearing hi-vis jacket makes international news