Deer Hunting in the Dundas Valley Conservation Area

Steve Miazga, CAO of the Hamilton Conservation Authority, spoke of the deer hunt in the Dundas Valley Conservation area and the relationship between the conservation authority and the Haudenosaunee of the First Nations. He talked about a deer management study completed in 2009 at Iroquoia Heights and the Dundas conservation area. The Ministry of Natural Resources suggest a deer population in Southern Ontario should be around 0.12 deer per hectare. Dundas Valley has 0.35 and Iroquoia Heights has 1.21. Both these numbers suggest a significant overpopulation of deer in each area.

A Deer Management committee between the conservation authority and the Haudenosaunee negotiated a general protocol in 2001 on how best to manage the First Nation treaty rights and the conservation authority's  public safety issue regarding hunting. The protocol agreed to where to hunt, the time to hunt and the number of deer that could be taken. The hunt is underway at this time, having started on November 14 and finishing on December 21. The public has been advised that the hunt takes place on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday during this time period.

Steve spoke of the problems the authority is experiencing with individual's whose property borders on conservation land who insist on feeding deer. This just reinforces the population growth in the region because of the easy food supply. With over 500 deer in an area that should support around 200 the issue of damage to property and vehicles is ongoing. Steve also indicated he is working with the City of Hamilton to include wildlife linkages between open areas to allow for animals to move freely and safely between the various open spaces enclosed by development.