Province funds deer cull

Photo: Castanet File Photo

The provincial government has approved grants totalling more than $55,000 to assist four communities with deer cull programs.

Grand Forks, Elkford, Invermere and Cranbrook were all granted funding under the province's
Urban Deer cost-share program.

Grand Forks will receive $16,000 to cull 80 deer in the community.

Invermere has been approved for $10,200 to cull 51 deer and Elkford's application for $10,000 to cull 50 deer has also been approved.

Cranbrook will receive a $19,900 grant to study the feasibility of relocating problem deer that have taken up residence in urban environments.

Cranbrook's study will build upon research that Elkford started last year, which involved urban deer in Cranbrook, Elkford, Invermere and Kimberley.

The program offers matching funds, and support varies for each region. Interior culls are eligible for $200 deer, while on the Coast, the rate is $300 per deer.

Interior deer are less expensive to cull because winters are cold in the Interior, there is less food available and deer are more willing to come to baits.

Cranbrook was the first city in the province to conduct a deer cull back in 2010.