GORE BAY—A Zhiibaahaasing First Nation band councillor and resident has proposed what he feels may be a simple solution to the problem of how to curtail a current over population of deer in the Town of Gore Bay.
“I read last week’s story in the paper about how many Gore Bay residents are upset with the number of deer in town,” said Kevin Mossip, of Zhiibaahaasing, last week. “I feel there might be a simple solution to this deer problem.”
Mr. Mossip explained, “First Nations in this treaty area have the right to harvest deer all year on Crown land. On private land we require the landowner’s consent. With a landowner consent form we (First Nations) could harvest the nuisance deer and donate all the meat to local Island food banks so everyone can benefit. We can even grind up the meat to give to the Island foodbanks.”
Mr. Mossip noted that while the Town of Gore Bay has a bylaw in place that bans the discharge of firearms in town, the town would have to put this aside for a short period of time for a controlled hunt to take place.
“It’s an idea, and we welcome that Mr. Mossip has come forward with this,” said Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane. “This whole issue of deer management has been talked about for over 15 years in Gore Bay, but we can’t have an open season on deer in town. The offer was well meaning but I don’t know how it would be possible.”
“We can’t have a hunt of deer in town,” Mayor Lane reiterated. “Farmers outside of town can still get deer removal authority permit tags from the province.”
Mayor Lane said again that he appreciates Mr. Mossip coming forward with his idea, but noted that this type of proposal and others was considered by the town about 15 years ago, and after extensive research, the idea of any type of controlled hunt in Gore Bay was not plausible.
However, Mayor Lane said council remains open to all suggestions on a solution to the deer problem. “If people come forward with suggestions we will definitely put them on the table for consideration.”
As reported in last week’s edition of the Recorder, local resident Joyce Foster will be meeting with town council at a meeting October 10 to discuss the problem with the overabundance of deer in town, and is encouraging other residents in town to attend the meeting and provide their input on the issue.
