cdn-redneck
01-22-2004, 04:13 AM
I read this while I was out trampin' around on another site. It was apparently from the Calgary Herald
Deer invasion overwhelms town: Magrath targets 'large rats'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A huge herd of white-tailed deer has descended upon a southern Alberta town, setting up shop in backyards, casually meandering down main street, eating
everything in sight and regularly jumping in front of moving vehicles.
With more than 500 of the animals in and around town, many of Magrath's 2,000 residents are watching helplessly as the "large rats" eat their trees, shrubs,
lawns and gardens.
That freedom, however, is coming to an end as the town has decided to do something about it. For the first time in the area's history, hunters are allowed to
shoot the animals out of season.
It is believed the deer have moved into the community for several reasons, including a prolonged drought in the area immediately north of the Montana border
that has left everything but the yards in town dead and brown.
As well, irrigated fields of hay, stores of grain and an abundance of cover for the deer has attracted the animals.
"There is a certain outdoorsy feel to having them in town, but for most people, it's gone beyond that -- they've become a nuisance and a safety concern on
the roads," said town administrator Ron Williams, whose wife hit a deer with their car.
Motor vehicle accidents have skyrocketed, along with the deer population -- up 500 per cent in the past decade -- with police responding to an average of one
or two car-animal collisions a day.
One local family has hit five deer on five occasions. One time, the family came to a complete stop on the highway after spotting a group of the animals, only
to have a deer jump into the side of their van.
Another local driver hit two in one week, town officials said.
In response to the complaints, Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials have taken the rare step of allowing hunters to bag the animals out of season this month
in an attempt to cull the herd.
Two hundred tags went on sale in early January, selling out in 30 minutes with a maximum of two per person.
Hunters started lining up at
3 a.m. for the chance to shoot a deer in the surprise season that runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays this month only.
But not everyone is happy with the arrangement, questioning its necessity and how effective it will be.
"Like everything, there are pros and cons to it," said John Bourne, president of the Magrath Rod and Gun Club.
"Some people are dead against it, they want to know where the killing will end and ask us how much meat a person can really eat."
About 190 members belong to the club, which also manages an 80-acre game preserve south of town where Bourne put up a dozen or so new "no hunting" signs
after the announcement.
"It's like religion in these parts. You can't take sides on it, and with this deer hunt, I'm neutral," he added.
Several town hall meetings were held before Christmas to gauge the public's appetite for the herd's downsizing and, according to wildlife officer Lyle
Lester, no one spoke out against the idea.
"We took a lot of factors into consideration when putting the hunt together. It is very controlled and consistent," said Lester.
"Quota hunts are not entered into lightly -- this is the only one I've been involved with and I have 30 years of experience."
Months of research went into determining if it should happen at all.
The department considered the number of animals that can adequately feed from the land before authorizing the plan, as well as the number of deer and humans
sharing the same region of the Rocky Mountain foothills.
Lester hopes the process will drive a lot of the animals out of town and away from the highways, although hunting isn't allowed within town limits.
The usual deer season for hunters using guns in southern Alberta begins and ends in November.
Deer invasion overwhelms town: Magrath targets 'large rats'
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A huge herd of white-tailed deer has descended upon a southern Alberta town, setting up shop in backyards, casually meandering down main street, eating
everything in sight and regularly jumping in front of moving vehicles.
With more than 500 of the animals in and around town, many of Magrath's 2,000 residents are watching helplessly as the "large rats" eat their trees, shrubs,
lawns and gardens.
That freedom, however, is coming to an end as the town has decided to do something about it. For the first time in the area's history, hunters are allowed to
shoot the animals out of season.
It is believed the deer have moved into the community for several reasons, including a prolonged drought in the area immediately north of the Montana border
that has left everything but the yards in town dead and brown.
As well, irrigated fields of hay, stores of grain and an abundance of cover for the deer has attracted the animals.
"There is a certain outdoorsy feel to having them in town, but for most people, it's gone beyond that -- they've become a nuisance and a safety concern on
the roads," said town administrator Ron Williams, whose wife hit a deer with their car.
Motor vehicle accidents have skyrocketed, along with the deer population -- up 500 per cent in the past decade -- with police responding to an average of one
or two car-animal collisions a day.
One local family has hit five deer on five occasions. One time, the family came to a complete stop on the highway after spotting a group of the animals, only
to have a deer jump into the side of their van.
Another local driver hit two in one week, town officials said.
In response to the complaints, Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials have taken the rare step of allowing hunters to bag the animals out of season this month
in an attempt to cull the herd.
Two hundred tags went on sale in early January, selling out in 30 minutes with a maximum of two per person.
Hunters started lining up at
3 a.m. for the chance to shoot a deer in the surprise season that runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays this month only.
But not everyone is happy with the arrangement, questioning its necessity and how effective it will be.
"Like everything, there are pros and cons to it," said John Bourne, president of the Magrath Rod and Gun Club.
"Some people are dead against it, they want to know where the killing will end and ask us how much meat a person can really eat."
About 190 members belong to the club, which also manages an 80-acre game preserve south of town where Bourne put up a dozen or so new "no hunting" signs
after the announcement.
"It's like religion in these parts. You can't take sides on it, and with this deer hunt, I'm neutral," he added.
Several town hall meetings were held before Christmas to gauge the public's appetite for the herd's downsizing and, according to wildlife officer Lyle
Lester, no one spoke out against the idea.
"We took a lot of factors into consideration when putting the hunt together. It is very controlled and consistent," said Lester.
"Quota hunts are not entered into lightly -- this is the only one I've been involved with and I have 30 years of experience."
Months of research went into determining if it should happen at all.
The department considered the number of animals that can adequately feed from the land before authorizing the plan, as well as the number of deer and humans
sharing the same region of the Rocky Mountain foothills.
Lester hopes the process will drive a lot of the animals out of town and away from the highways, although hunting isn't allowed within town limits.
The usual deer season for hunters using guns in southern Alberta begins and ends in November.