Township of North Stormont

Helping Farmers Reduce Deer Damage

The Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) would like to thank both the farmers and hunters of Eastern Ontario for taking advantage of the expanded hunting opportunities that have been provided over the past few years. Last fall's hunt data has been summarized and the results are encouraging. There was an estimated harvest of 21,700 deer in Kemptville District, an increase of 1,200 deer from 2003. There was also a reduction in the number of deer seen by hunters on a daily basis in Lanark County. This is a standard index that is used to monitor population trends, and the results are very promising.

Over the past 5 years, MNR has expanded hunting seasons and introduced a number of new deer harvest tools. These tools can only be effective in reducing deer numbers if both farmers and hunters take full advantage of them. Over 3,500 more additional seals were bought by hunters responding to the new opportunities in Kemptville District in 2004. As well, many landowners also allowed new groups of deer hunters on their property, and benefited financially for granting this access. Farmers are encouraged to allow hunters access during the legal hunting seasons to maximize the harvest of deer on the farm property and help decrease or prevent future crop damage.

Making the Connection Program

The Lanark County Stewardship Council can help landowners find responsible hunters. Landowners are provided a list of hunters registered with the program who are looking for land to access. Landowners can then peruse the list, contact hunters, and set their own conditions Hunters can provide a variety of benefits for the landowner over-and-above helping to reduce the landowner's local deer numbers. Many hunters are willing to provide financial payment, assistance with work, sharing their meat, policing the property and trading expertise. For more information contact Jeff Ward at (613) 267-4200 ext. 153.

Although hunting has proven to be the most effective way to reduce deer populations over broad areas, there are times when additional help is needed. MNR provides the following options.

Deer Harassment/Removal Authorizations

Harassment authorizations can be used as a preventative measure to disperse deer from farm fields before crops are damaged. Deer removal authorizations (DRAs) are available when other practical alternatives have failed or are not available, to remove deer on individual properties when damage is occurring. Although most DRAs are intended to react to deer damage that is occurring, under special circumstances a DRA can be issued prior to damage occurring to an existing crop. Authorizations are:

• Available to farmers throughout Ontario from MNR offices
• Free of charge
• For authorization holder and approved agents only
• For specific lands and times included on authorization
• Limited to removal of antlered deer only between May 15th and August 15th to prevent potential orphaning of fawns
• NOT available during an open gun season for deer

MNR has recently revised the process to make these authorizations more effective for farmers. Please contact Christie Curley (613) 258-8267 or Eric Robertson (613) 258-8500 for additional information or applications.

Site-Specific Additional Seals

These can be used during regular deer hunting seasons to manage deer in small geographic areas such as individual properties or in cooperatives. Available throughout Eastern Ontario, they are ideal in areas where the availability of current or additional seals may be limited, such as in Prescott-Russell or Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry counties. Applications are available to farmers from MNR Kemptville's Office. Site-Specific Additional Seals are:

• For antlerless deer only
• For use by licensed hunters only
• Based on deer crop damage needs
• Valid during all deer hunting seasons
• Valid ONLY on permittee's lands
• Issued to the licensed hunters identified by the farmer
• Cost $35 each

More Hunting Opportunities

2004

In 2004, a new one week muzzle-loader and archery season was introduced to all of Eastern Ontario, starting the first Monday after November 28. Uptake in 2004 was excellent and it is expected there will be another increase in participation in 2005. Multiple additional seals were also introduced, allowing hunters to purchase up to 6 additional seals.

2005

There is a proposal to convert the existing one week shotgun/muzzle-loader/archery season in WMU 65 to a two week season. WMU 65 includes Prescott-Russell, Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Counties as well as the east half of the City of Ottawa.

Farmer's Deer Licence

Available at a reduced cost of $21.00, farmers must complete an “Application for a Farmer's Licence to Hunt Deer” form available from MNR and some licence issuers. You must possess a valid hunting version Outdoors Card, and the tag is valid only in the county in which you reside. Farmers who purchase a deer licence may also apply for an antlerless deer validation tag. This application, which is received when a farmer's licence is purchased, must be submitted by August 2, 2005.