Richmond County seeks cull for rising deer population
Richmond County’s warden believes that an expanded fall hunting season could be the solution to the increasing local deer population, particularly on Isle Madame. The municipality recently voted to authorize staff to collaborate with private companies to gather data on the deer population in the county and on the north side of Isle Madame. Additionally, Richmond officials are exploring the possibility of partnering with Nova Scotia Community College students for a co-op work program to track deer numbers.
The decision to gather data comes as Nova Scotia’s Natural Resources Department confirms a rise in deer numbers across the province. The department has been making efforts to increase the number of deer eligible for the annual fall hunt in Richmond County. However, Richmond Warden Lois Landry is eager to have the figures compiled by spring in order to guide an expanded local hunt next fall. She emphasized the importance of obtaining information about the doe population and fawn population to make informed decisions for the hunt.
The Natural Resources Department recently issued bonus deer stamps and antlerless deer stamps as a measure to help reduce deer density in the area. Despite these efforts, Warden Landry remains concerned about the high deer population in north-side Isle Madame. She highlighted instances where visitors encounter up to 70 deer in a single drive and mentioned deer finding their way into residential areas without being prompted or fed by locals.
Richmond officials are also looking at the actions taken by other municipalities to support their case for an expanded deer hunt in southeastern Cape Breton. For example, the Municipality of Colchester County recently approved a safely managed urban deer bow/crossbow hunt in five districts. The Town of Truro and Millbrook First Nation have had similar hunts over the past three years, while the Town of Yarmouth has formed a working group to assess their deer numbers.
The warden’s push for an expanded fall hunting season in Richmond County is aimed at addressing the growing deer population and minimizing the impact on residents and the environment. By gathering data and collaborating with relevant stakeholders, the municipality hopes to implement effective measures to manage the deer population in the area.
