Deer Management Group Holds First Meeting, Plans a Path Forward

Thursday, October 13, 2022 – Earlier this year, council passed a motion to begin the process of finding solutions to the town’s overpopulation of deer. The motion laid out a plan to follow the Deer Management Strategy developed by the Town of Truro, to help address all issues related to deer in town. A key part of the strategy is to form a Deer Management Working Group, which was created over the summer. The group recently held their first meeting, and began to set a path forward to find solutions.

The meeting involved an introduction of members, the selection of a Chair, and a thorough review of the group’s terms of reference. The terms of reference outline the group’s purpose and objectives, and a step-by-step process to develop, communicate, and implement the management strategy. The group also reviewed and discussed Truro’s management plan and timeline, deer data collection, and a future public Information session. The meeting closed with a review of the process and timelines, and a healthy discussion on the many issues created by deer within town limits.

“It was a great first meeting that allowed us to become familiar with each other, as well as the issues at hand”, said group Chair and Town Councillor Gil Dares. “Developing an effective strategy is going to take time as there are many steps we need to follow. Deer management has become an important issue, and this group is ready to get to work.”

The group plans to meet monthly, and will engage the public and offer updates on a frequent basis.

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About the Deer Management Working Group

The group includes members of council, town staff, Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources and Renewables representatives, members of the community, and other experts. The current group members are (with more members to be added):

Elected Official Members

Councillor Gil Dares (Chair)
Councillor Wade Cleveland

Appointed Members At Large

Tracey Parker
Freeman Libby
Anne de Grosbois

Department of Natural Resources

Deanna Nauss (Area Manager, Yarmouth /Digby), Tricia Fleming (Human Wildlife Conflict Biologist), Sian Wilson (Regional Biologist) – on leave

Town of Yarmouth Staff

CAO, Jeff Gushue
Municipal Clerk / Executive Assistant, Lindsay MacKinnon
Communications Coordinator, Mike Carter