The Fort Frances Airport has been experiencing problems due to the increasing deer population, and is inviting the public to a meeting regardig the matter on Wednesday, March 31.
Airport superintendent Bill Caul said the purpose of the meeting is to discuss the current situation and methods of control, as well as to get public input as to any other options to improve safety against deer problems at the airport.

“We’ve noticed quite an increase in the number of deer coming out,” noted Caul.
“Airplanes are hitting deer.”
Caul noted one private aircraft hit a deer in late fall while it was landing, and it did “a fair amount of damage to the airplane.”
In a second incident, a Bearskin airplane hit a deer with its landing gear while it was taking off.
There was no damage to the airplane.
“What we ended up doing last year to assist with the problem was we ended up getting a deer removal permit from the MNR,” said Caul.
“And one of their requirements is we have to hold a public meeting, so that’s why we’re in the process of doing it,” he explained, adding they’ve not had to shoot any deer yet.
Caul said the town has applied for funding from Transport Canada to get perimeter fencing put up and keep the deer away from airport property.
“If we don’t get that this year, then we’re going to have to look at alternatives, and another cull permit is probably going to be one of the things we’re going to have to do,” he remarked.
The meeting will take place at 1 p.m. upstairs in the maintenance garage at the airport.