Some thoughts from a concerned citizen
To the Expositor:
I understand that Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) is opening old roadways with a bulldozer to make easier access to trees that the deer population can feed on. That is one step in the right direction, but that does not put feed in the deer’s mouth. These old bush roads over the years have already been eaten off as high as the deer can reach. Something that may help would be to give the deer access to trees a little further off the roadways that haven’t already been eaten off in previous years.
MNRF is also saying there is not enough money to buy deer feed. In previous years, hunters were licenced to hunt deer in bow season starting in early October, followed by a week in November for rifle season and then a week after that, another week of hunting in black powder season. Why would any hunter need that many licences to hunt deer? I am not in favour of eight or nine weeks of deer hunting! This is way too much stress on the deer population! That is only common sense!
Most people might think they should go and buy a bag of corn and give them lots to eat. That is a “no no!” Deer have very sensitive digestive systems, so if they have their diet changed it has to be done gradually. If they have been feeding mainly on cedar browse you will have to add different food like deer mix (which is half oats and half corn). Some people think feeding them hay is good for them, but only if you feed it to them in small amounts. I have found the pure whole corn will give them diarrhea. When changing their diet it is important to do it gradually over seven or eight days. I am not in full agreement with feeding deer but feel we have to do something to help them instead of letting them starve to death.
The deer here in South Baymouth have lived by standing on top of the snowbanks reaching up to the higher branches for feed. They have now run out of those branches. Some of them have now gone across the bay which is 1/3 km across the ice from our house. With the deep snow over there we can see them feeding along the shoreline. They cannot feed on old trees that are seven or eight feet above ground. From South Baymouth to Big Bay and around Michael’s Bay there is no cedar they can reach for food. A big concern of mine is that if we lose a lot of deer this winter that will make the deer population a lot smaller for next year.
The recovery for a deer herd is a slow process that could take years.
Sincerely,
A concerned citizen,
Reg Leeson
South Baymouth
EDITOR’S NOTE: The MNRF and Deer Save Manitoulin do not support feeding deer other than their natural browse. Please see the story on Page 1 of this newspaper for a full report on why it can be dangerous to supplement the feed of the Island deer population and the editorial for this paper’s position on the issue.
