Although many gardeners would argue with me, I think having deer living in the city of Nanaimo adds a magical charm. Heavily populated industrialized cities would love to have nature such as this in their back door.
Although smaller in stature than many of the mainland species, our Black-tailed Deer captivate people when they see them grazing by the roadsides. With the abundance of deer in our city, Island Veterinary Hospital will often receive calls about sick or injured deer. In the beginning of the year during the winter we see deer that are starving or hypothermic if we have a heavy snowfall. In June the new-born fawns are found by people thinking they are abandoned. Later in the summer the problem is usually with does and older fawns being hit by vehicles as they travel grazing together crossing roads.
Over the summer months the male bucks have been regrowing their antlers shed in fall in preparation for the rut. As can be seen in the photos of an adult buck in June and another photo taken a few days ago, the transformation as testosterone is surging through their veins can be amazing.
The worst time of year for deer injuries is usually November. During the rut, common sense and fear which normally keeps the bucks aloof and people wary is gone and all the bucks can think about is fighting with other males and breeding with the in-season females. With the bucks not using their common sense around cars at this time of year it is important to drive carefully and slow down or even stop if you see deer near the road to avoid a collision - it can save a deer and you!
