Aggressive deer causing grief in gated Vernon community
Published 5:30 am Thursday, July 23, 2026
Where the deer and their babies play is unsettling to at least one Vernon neighbourhood community.
The strata council at the Sandpiper development on East Hill have written to the city asking that a permit be acquired to remove three female adult mule deer and their babies, which residents have numbered at five.
It’s the second year in a row Sandpiper’s strata has written to the city. They said they received no answer in 2025.
“These deer have become habitual dwellers in our 55-plus community turning it into a nursery,” wrote the strata. “Several of our 140 senior residents own small dogs and throughout the fawning season, May and June, continue to have frightening confrontations with protective does.”
Sandpiper shared a number of instances from its residents over confrontations with the deer in the development.
“I was startled and looking to where Poppy (dog) was, I lost my balance and fell in my driveway,” wrote one resident. “The deer danced around me looking for the dog which I had pulled into my arm for protection. In the meantime, I was kicking at the doe to keep her away. Because I have no power in my knees to get up off the driveway without assistance I laid there kicking at the doe as she repeatedly lunged.
“All the while I was screaming. The prolonged kicking injured my leg so that it was painful to walk for some months. I still have recurring leg pain.”
And, wrote another: “There was the deer again coming at me. This time I threw my walking stick at the deer which made it move away and I grabbed my dog and ran in the house.”
In its petition to the city, Sandpiper’s strata council said it’s their opinion that “seniors and particularly those with leashed dogs, should be free to walk safely within our fenced and gated community.”
“The Regional District of North Okanagan has methods and employees to deal with aggressive and dangerous dog encounters,” wrote the council. “We find that our situation should be treated no different.”
And this isn’t the only neighbourhood dealing with aggressive deer. The Morning Star has been contacted by several other residents sharing their startling encounters.
City director of intergovernmental and protective services, Kevin Poole, told council that staff has reached out to the province.
“We’ve asked specialists and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to have discussions on this, and then help out Sandpiper on this issue,” said Poole.
The Morning Star reached out in June to a representative of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service about the situation. In an email response the same day, Conservation said during spring fawning season, does can become particularly aggressive toward people and pets as they try to protect their young.
“This means dear may bluff charge or follow you to move you away from the fawn,” said Conservation. “Small dogs can also be easily hurt by deer, as dogs can be perceived as predators.”
At the time of the email, Conservation said there had been no reports to their office of any injuries.
What people can do is take precautions, such as:
* Keeping your dog on a leash: this can help prevent unintended encounters with deer
* Leaving fawns alone: If you see a fawn, leave the area as the doe is likely nearby
* Never approach deer – give deer and all wildlife space to help prevent an encounter
* Be aware of your surroundings and watch out for deer.
For more tips and resources, visit WildSafeBC.com.
Aggressive deer can be reported to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.