An assessment of effects of urban land development on the Winnipeg deer herd

Abstract

The response of the Winnipeg deer herd to increased land development was assessed. This included analysis of habitat loss, optimal population size, supplementary feeding, and deer related damage. Management techniques used in other North American cities were documented. There is 3490 ha of potentially manageable habitat within the study area, 2242 ha of which lie within the Perimeter Highway. Through Plan Winnipeg policy provides for development of 737 ha, or 33% of deer wintering habitat within the Perimeter by the year 2001, only 103 ha are expected to be lost. This is comprised of 87 ha of residentially zoned land and 16 ha of industrial land. The remaining 634 ha is zoned for industrial use. Tripling of the Winnipeg deer population since 1975 has resulted in an increase of deer depredation and deer vehicle accidents. If deer are to be maintained as a beneficial resource, a long term management plan needs to be developed for the Winnipeg herd. To assure that urban values are reflected in such a plan, public input is essential. From this information it may be possible to design a sociological carrying capacity for the deer herd specific to Winnipeg's situation. Habitat maintenance via leases or grants, regulation of deer numbers through continuation of the relocation program, and intercept feeding programs on manageable habitat, are recommended. To insure that individual residents do not bear the entire impacts of the deer population, damage prevention and compensation programs need to be implemented.