I wonder why that is, maybe something to do with the rutt in the fall, as it stays
warm here later into the fall, so maybe the rutt is later, what do you think.
I think you are indeed correct, the mild falls, and winters in BC would undoubtedly have a later rut. Although, our weird falls are starting to have a small affect on the Deer here now too.
I noticed this year, that we were literally 1 week behind the year before, when the rut went into full effect.
There is a group here wanting to cull the deer. Truly upsets me and obviously would upset Juan as well. We have lots of deer and lots of rabbits in and around our city. I love them all.
So do I, both as wildlife and as a meal, and that's not being said as a taunt, read on.
They cull the deer on our golf course, just the males, because the population does increase each year, so
they try to cut down on newborns, consequently the less males, the less pregnant does.
Here we have an over population problem too. So much so, that the MNR is quite worried about "Chronic wasting disease". We've been turning over the heads of the Deer we've harvested for research purposes, by the MNR. It won't be long, with more the 20 Deer per square km. before the MNR raises the quota. If Chronic wasting does infact raise its head in our stock, we run the risk of loosing not only the whole stock, but our hunting seasons as well. If that disease crosses over into domestic livestock, we'll end up with poison being dropped from planes, and a 5 year moratorium on hunting Deer in York. That means, unless we keep the numbers down and the stock healthy, we will face a complete kill off.
I often saw as many as 17 standing right in front of my house on a residential street within the city limits. The neighbour across the street was feeding them.
Public feeding of Deer is frowned upon and even I must say, is not always a wise idea. 1, it is oft done in the wrong area. Thus causing Deer to travel across heavily used roads. 2, it's often food stuffs that Deer like to eat, but shouldn't eat in great quantity. Carrots being one of the worst. Like kids, Deer will oft eat what they like, before they eat what they need. Although they will search out sources of minerals as their body craves them. But they will be drawn to and gorge themselves on a diet of sweet soft foods like carrots, beets and turnips until they have made themselves sick, literally. There are ways to feed Deer and appropriate places to do it, to maintain a healthy happy heard.
I may be a hunter, but I appreciate wildlife more then most. I tend a heard of Deer all year round, as part of my Deer management program. I feed them, a steady diet of corn, soy and course grain. I maintain mineral sources. I have actually developed my own mineral mixture, containing molasses, phosphorus, calcium, protein supplements and other essential vitamins, with the help of a student from the University of Illinois.
This management system is part of a program that ensures not only a bigger healthier Deer for me to hunt, but more importantly, ensures a stronger healthier stock that can survive other natural and unnatural circumstances. It is also conducted in a place that keeps Deer from crossing major roads, or becoming a nuisance in residential neighbourhoods.
Of course the vehicular slaughter in the area was astronomical.
Vehicular contact, is a terrible way for a Deer to die. As is predation and starvation.
