The Town of Truro's annual Controlled Urban Deer Hunt program is now underway and will run until mid-December. The hunt program is part of the Town's larger Deer Management Strategy to reduce deer population numbers in Truro.
The Town's Controlled Urban Hunt is now in its fifth year. Since its inception, over 100 deer have been harvested through the program. The program is designed to balance ecological needs and community safety and is executed under the strict guidance and permitting of the NS Department of Natural Resources.
The program includes partnerships with Millbrook First Nation, Dalhousie University, Feed Nova Scotia, and the NS Department of Natural Resources. Each year, deer harvested through the Town's program are donated to Feed Nova Scotia to be distributed to food banks throughout Nova Scotia. Additional deer harvested through Millbrook First Nation is donated to the Millbrook community members.
The program operates on as little waste as possible. As part of the program, all hides are also donated to Millbrook First Nation. Other parts of the animal are also used for Provincial and National research purposes, both through the NS Department of Natural Resources and Dalhousie University.
The purpose of the Town’s Deer Management Strategy is to reduce the deer population numbers within the Town of Truro for the benefit of natural ecosystems, citizen landscapes, reducing Deer Vehicle Collisions (DVC’s), public health concerns, the possible presence of deer predators, and an overall reduction of deer human conflict. While residents need to learn to live with deer long-term, there are several measures that people can take to assist with deer management efforts in Truro and help to bring the urban deer population within a manageable number. The most important management tool for residents is to stop the feeding of deer within and around the Town.
The Town of Truro wishes to thank all partners involved in the program. More information can be found at https://truro.ca/urban-deer-management.html
