Couple wants deer fence to stay up

Sixth Street East residents Marie and Lynwood Anderson are asking the town that they be able to keep up a deer fence in their front yard because they say the ban on feeding deer is too late to keep the opportunistic animals away.
Earlier this spring, the Andersons received permission from the town to erect a temporary deer fence in their front yard to protect their property at 920 Sixth St. E. after deer had caused extensive damage to their trees, shrubs, and flowers.

But on May 11, the couple received a letter from the bylaw department stating there had been a concern raised over their fence, which is above the town’s height limit for front yard fences (1.2 metres, or four feet), and that they must adjust it to the correct height on or before June 1.
In a letter received by council Monday night, the Andersons said they would like special permission to keep up the fence, which is see-through and not an impediment to drivers, or for the town to amend its fencing regulations to allow deer fencing on properties.
“We are not the only citizens that have this problem. There are many residents who are very angry nothing is being done to address the deer problem,” they wrote.
“The bylaw to not feed the deer is too late,” they argued. “These animals have been habituated and either must be removed or euthanized.
“The population could double this month as they drop their fawns and the problem will continue to quantum leap.”
They later added the deer are permanent residents now and “we are the ones who bear the financial loss, as well as the pleasure that we have in enjoying our yard in the short growing season.”
In a second letter to council, Marie Anderson said she’s researched the issue and found the following information:
•the City of Dryden allows fencing anywhere on property up to a height of 8’4” as long as there is no visibility issue for cars;
•the City of Pinawa, Man. allows its citizens to erect fences to protect their property from deer, and help mitigate the need to clean up of deer droppings;
•the City of Kenora also has a deer problem, which is now drawing wolves into the city core; and
•the City of London, Ont. was named by the Attorney General of Ontario as being responsible for its deer problem, and the resulting damages, because the city owns Sifton Bog, where the deer are living.
“The reason people are angry about this deer problem is because the town and MNR will do nothing about it,” the second letter reads. “Our hands are tied behind our backs.
“I believe a reasonable compromise would be to allow property owners to protect their property with fencing,” it added. “If the bylaw is changed to one similar to Dryden, it would relieve a lot of contention about this issue.
“Also, by not allowing deer access to food (landscape cedars and trees and shrubs), they would have to go elsewhere to feed.
“The deer feeding ban is too late,” Anderson stressed. “The deer are opportunistic feeders and they will continue to feed where they have access.”
Anderson said she has tried many other suggested solutions to keep deer away—to no avail.
“This is the only thing that has worked to keep the deer out of my yard and effectively stop the deer damage,” she wrote. “I also have a right to protect and enjoy my property.
“We own our property and we pay taxes.”
Council agreed Monday night to refer the Andersons’ request to the Planning and Development executive committee for its recommendation.
However, since it does not meet next until June 1, council also agreed to defer the order that the fence be adjusted until after the committee had a chance to discuss the issue or make a recommendation.