My family and I have lived in Oak Bay for 21 years and we personally feel blessed to live in an area that still has some connection with nature. A family of deer frequents our street, but we have learned to accept them, despite the fact that we are avid gardeners.
This year we had to heighten our backyard fence to keep them out. They still come to the front yard and enjoy my flowers, but that is part of life. The birds take their share of greens in the spring, but things always grow. Rarely do the deer eat everything; rather they seem to graze and never have I witnessed any aggressive behaviour from them.
It seems our behaviour is more aggressive. We are always trying to control our environment, rather than live in harmony with it. First we culled rabbits and now we are talking about culling deer.
There simply has to be a better approach. Perhaps we need to change our perspective on these animals; try to see them as a part of the natural order of life rather than as pests. Enjoy the beauty around us because once gone, it may be gone for good.
Marilyn Lapointe
Oak Bay