What You Won't See on the CRD's Minutes for the First CAG Meeting

The first meeting of the CRD deer management Citizen's Advisory Group was videotaped. Not present: Lisa Kadonaga and Philip Tom

Sol Kinnis introduced herself and stated that she represents young people in the city who are growing their own food. She sees the deer as "a food source that are eating our other food source."

Richard Christiansen introduced himself and stated that he brings a pro-hunt slant to the group. He asked if it was possible to join the CAG meetings by teleconference as he anticipates he will be travelling and was told by Jeff Weightman that he could.

Jeff Weightman stated early in the meeting that "there is no long-term sustained budget for 'this.'”

Jeff Weightman stated “Fertility control is limited and very much in the experimental phase in BC and Canada with not much long-term research on that type of population control and there is (sic) quite a number of facts that back up our position.” (This "position" was not expanded upon).

Jocelyn Skrlac (voted chair of CAG) stated that Lyme disease is prevalent in Philidelphia, where her daughter lives. She wants to know if there is more deer/human conflict now that deer are 2^nd and 3^rd generation.

Kerri Ward asked for data on development in the CRD, maps and (human) population numbers. Jeff Weightman asked if she wanted development or population data and she replied “both.” Jeff Weightman admitted that the CRD only started collecting data on deer in 2010. Marg Evans stated, “We tried to get statistics and we work now with what we have.”

Terry Mitchell claimed height restriction on fences. He said deer are having more twins. (Kerri Ward informed him that deer always have twins). He blames deer population on “less predators and less hunting.”

Robin Bassett asked if there are economic studies of agricultural losses rather that anecdotal evidence. Jeff said an analysis of deer impact on agriculture will be researched.

A sub-committee re urban deer being “carved off” was discussed, as it was identified that the rural deer issue was the focus of the ERWG and CAG.

Findings to be finalised by late June and submitted to the Planning, Transportation and Protective Services Committee early July.