Oh, deer: Riverview resident fears backyard squatters will attract coyotes, spread disease

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This article was published 26/03/2025 (253 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A RIVERVIEW resident who watched as nine deer settled in her backyard last weekend wasn’t exactly fawning over the close encounter with wildlife.

Eileen Metz, who has lived at her Churchill Drive residence for nearly 50 years, said the deer population has never been as high as it has been recently, and she’s worried it’s attracting coyotes and things such as Lyme disease into the area.

“They’re beautiful, but if they carry disease, if they’re attracting coyotes … they need to be moved out into the forest area,” she said. “It’s a problem. One day, one is going to get killed (by a car). They just run back and forth through the neighbourhood.”

Metz captured photos of two bucks locking antlers last November and a coyote lurking in a nearby park last month. Concerned, she contacted Manitoba Conservation and even visited Premier Wab Kinew’s constituency office Tuesday to voice her concerns.

The conservation officer she spoke with informed her that the deer would not be removed and suggested a homemade water and cayenne pepper solution to keep them away from her plants.

“As far as I’m concerned, that’s not a satisfactory answer,” she said.

But it’s the only answer, according to the province.

“Relocating deer outside of Winnipeg does not address the underlying reasons why deer are in the city and is not an effective long-term strategy,” a government spokesperson said.

The animals are attracted to the city for its abundant food and reduced predation.

Relocation efforts are also not cost-efficient; it is a very expensive process both in terms of financial and human resources needed.

“Relocations often result in high mortality rates for the deer being moved and can also increase the risk of disease transmission when the deer are moved into new areas for release,” the spokesperson said.

Data from the province’s Natural Resources and Indigenous Futures Department shows that there are more than 6,000 known deer-vehicle collisions each year, including about 600 in Winnipeg.

The department also warns against feeding deer, suggesting that supplemental feeding practices are no longer considered sound wildlife management because of associated risks, including transmission of disease and parasites, worsening habitat conditions, increased deer density and an associated rise in predation.

Deer accustomed to humans and attracted to supplemental food sources can cause damage to surrounding vegetation.

Rising urban population has the potential to increase deer reproduction and survival rates, leading to artificially increased numbers that a habitat may not be able to sustain, resulting in long-term damage for both deer and other wildlife.

Wildlife experts, however, say deer and other animals taking up residence in urban areas are a natural occurrence and something city residents must learn to live with.

“Deer herding up like that is extremely common in the wintertime,” said Chris Benson, program and events co-ordinator with the Manitoba Wildlife Federation. “Nine deer isn’t a large number. And the reason why they’re in the city is there’s food.”

Deer are drawn to bird seed left out in the winter and salt used to melt ice on sidewalks and driveways.

Benson said Winnipeg’s Red and Assiniboine rivers serve as natural corridors for deer, allowing them to venture deep into the city, including areas such as Churchill Drive, which winds along the Red.

“And when you have those prey species (deer), it naturally attracts predators (coyotes),” he said.

Soon, fawns will be born, which is what coyotes will be after in a month or two.

“It’s the natural prey-predator cycle,” Benson said, adding people must remember that cities and towns are shared territories on land that was once untouched habitat for deer.

A few doors down from Metz, Peter Scheppit can’t get enough of the wildlife. He said he’s had several deer camping out in his backyard on and off for years.

He’s lived in his home for 25 years and has seen generations of young deer grow.

“It’s nice to have the wildlife; it’s not a problem at all,” he said.

Another nearby neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said the wildlife comes with the territory.

“It would be sad if they were removed,” he said, though he has noticed an uptick in the deer population in recent years.

While his wife, an avid gardener, finds it frustrating at times, they’ve adapted by being mindful of what and where they plant.

“I can see that pissing someone off,” he said. “But honestly, they’re really pretty. They’re beautiful.”

His concerns are mainly with the deer getting too comfortable, and he worries that one may get hit by a car.

“I’m surprised there haven’t been more,” he said.

The province said deer populations are stable, although they fluctuate from year to year. Deer appear to be benefiting from an average Manitoba winter.

Residents can take measures to reduce the risk of property damage, including fencing, repellents and scaring devices such as motion-activated lights, water sprayers, noise-makers, radios and scarecrows — although effectiveness can be short-lived, the government spokesperson said.

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca