December 3, 2009 Hamilton Spectator
A big stakeholders meeting is being called by the Hamilton Conservation Authority to decide what to do with the overflowing deer population in an Ancaster park.
The Six Nations Confederacy has approached the conservation authority about hunting in the Iroquoia Heights Conservation Area, and other areas, to help control the deer population, but board members decided tonight to consult a multitude of agencies and residents for a solution.
The Confederacy, which might have hunting rights in the Old Mohawk Road park due to a 1701 treaty with the British Crown, will be extended “a very warm welcome to join us at the table,” board chair Chris Firth-Eagland said.
Board members were told there is a serious problem with too many deer in Iroquoia Heights. There should, at most, be 20 deer in the park, based on the rate of one deer per seven hectares. Authority staff said there is an estimated 168 to 182 deer there.
Ecologist Shari Faulkenham said a cull or a controlled hunt should be held to control the population and Six Nations could be approached for help.
The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is set to release a report next month on the deer situation, and it was suggested it be at the centre of the stakeholders’ meeting.
“We’re going to tackle this problem in a very positive and conclusive manner,” said Firth-Eagland.