Yesterday (July 19) Okotoks town council passed a bylaw about wildlife feeding.

Bylaw 28-21 is intended to address Okotoks' urban deer population by regulating activities related to feeding deer and other wildlife, as well as leaving potential attractants out in the open.

Gordon White, the urban forest parks technician for the town, says feeding local wildlife creates problems.

"Essentially, we have a bylaw that prevents people from feeding wildlife on public spaces, and now we're trying to expand that to prevent people from intentionally or unintentionally feeding wildlife, specifically deer, that creates kind of the issues that we have where deer aren't afraid of people and such."

All substances that could attract wildlife on private property are to be stored, handled, and disposed of properly.

Such substances include, but aren't limited to lawn clippings, birdseed, residential garbage, pet food, livestock food, and regular food.

Locals are still permitted to have gardens for human consumption and flower beds.

Birdfeeders are also allowed as long as the contents are not available to deer or other wildlife.

"Feeding them (deer) really increases the chance of a negative encounter because sometimes they're coming to people looking for food when they've got a bucket in their hand and stuff like that, so this is to try and prevent people from intentionally feeding animals on private property."

While the town intends to focus on educated locals about the new bylaw, fines for non-compliance range from $250 to $1,000.

"Typically they start out with a warning and if people comply then good. If they ignore and go back to the behaviour they were told not to do, then that's where a fine might be imposed," says White.

 

Related: Town of Okotoks Approves Fencing Pilot Project to Deter Deer

 

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