Deer management strategy for Truro expected in a few months

Progress is being made when it comes to addressing the deer population in Truro, says a Truro town councillor.

“Absolutely,” Coun. Bill Thomas recently told The Colchester Wire.

“We had the plebiscite in the fall election ... and we are moving to come up with a strategy with goals and objectives and a plan - and that plan will be implemented.”

Town council recently endorsed the mandate of the Truro Deer Management Working Group.

Thomas, who is one of about 14 people in the working group, says they will meet every two weeks and “hope to have a strategy before council sometime this summer.”

The working group consists of members of town staff and council, Nova Scotia Department of Lands & Forestry,

Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers & Hunters and Women That Hunt, as well as community members who offer “both technical expertise and real-life experience” to contribute to the deer management strategy, said Thomas.

Part of the group’s responsibility is to outline its purpose and its goal, said Thomas, is to “have the deer population at a level where the human population can tolerate” it.

“The idea is to have a balanced, informed resource working group from a technical (point) and from within the town and citizens. Everybody’s concerns are being considered,” he said.

Thomas reiterated both views are being respected: those who want the deer population controlled and those who want it to remain as is.

Thomas said he personally believes the deer population “needs to be controlled to a socially acceptable level. Right now, the deer population is considerably higher … 2.5 times higher in town than in the surrounding area/natural habitat and it’s growing. You could never eliminate the deer, and why would you?”

Thomas said the working group will be discussing various issues pertinent to the issue, including actions that can be taken by the public, such as not feeding deer, and landscaping alternatives (deer resistant plants, fencing options on personal property to discourage the deer’s presence). Population reduction will be discussed as well, said Thomas.

“The group will be exploring different methods,” he said, adding “communication will be put out every couple of weeks; we want to hear from people — this is a town problem. We have to find a solution that works for everybody.”

Updates can be found on the Town of Truro website, said Thomas and feedback is encouraged.