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Fence is not a real solution for deer problem

Oak Bay council approved an expenditure of money to assist the funding of an eight-foot tall fence around the garden

I read with much frustration “Hungry deer eating away at native plant garden” (News, June 5).

It reports again the further damage and destruction to the plants in our community caused by the uncontrolled overpopulation of deer in Greater Victoria.

You reported that Oak Bay council approved an expenditure of money to assist the funding of an eight-foot tall fence around the garden to protect it from the onslaught of deer.

You reported that a garden volunteer described the proposed fence as an eyesore.

You quoted Mayor Jensen as saying that: “It (the fence) is the only way to protect what are very rare plantings.”

With respect, building an expensive, unsightly fence around the garden with our tax money is not the only way to protect it from deer damage and destruction.

Part of the problem is the uncontrolled overpopulation of urban deer in Greater Victoria. That part of the problem in my view would be remedied by a reduction of the deer population.

The other part of the problem, in my view, is our regional district politicians’ long overdue failure to implement a deer population reduction program, and that, with respect, needs to be fixed too.

Bruce Filan

Oak Bay