Parker Cove

Please Stop Feeding Deer — and Never Feed Any Wildlife

Parker Cove has seen increased deer congregating in yards and roadways due to residents leaving out human foods and garden vegetables — including direct feeding. This “safe space” conditioning creates serious safety risks for people and animals. We have already experienced an incident in which a bear tackled and devoured a deer within the community. When deer are concentrated in residential areas, predators can follow.

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Why feeding deer is dangerous

• Predator attraction: Deer are prey. Concentrating them near homes and roads draws predators into the same areas.

• Habituation: Deer learn that people and homes mean food, leading to bold behaviour, road hazards, property damage, and aggression during the rut.

• Disease risk: Feeding concentrates animals, increasing contact and contamination at shared sites. BC has confirmed Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is present in the province, and guidance emphasizes avoiding unnatural congregation.

• Animal outcomes: Food-conditioned wildlife are more likely to enter conflict situations and may be relocated or destroyed when issues repeat.

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Ducks, geese, and waterfowl — don’t feed them either

Feeding waterfowl (bread, seed, kitchen scraps, grain, etc.) causes unnatural congregation, loss of caution around people, and sometimes aggressive behavior, while increasing droppings and sanitation issues. Food left out for birds can also attract other wildlife (including bears). Enjoy wildlife from a distance and keep food secured and cleaned up promptly.

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Remove attractants

Please remove or secure:

• Human food scraps, bread, garden vegetables, fruit piles, bird feed and seeds

• Fallen fruit left on the ground

• Unsecured garbage/organics/food waste or compost containing food scraps

• Dirty BBQs and grease trays

• Pet food left outdoors

Even small amounts can train wildlife to return.

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BC Wildlife Act reminder (legal standards)

Under British Columbia’s Wildlife Act, it is an offence to intentionally feed dangerous wildlife (including bear, cougar, coyote, or wolf), and it is also an offence to provide, leave, or place attractants in a way that could attract dangerous wildlife to areas where people are (or are likely to be). Even if food is left “for deer” or “for birds,” it can still act as an attractant for bears or other dangerous wildlife.

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Fines and penalties (British Columbia)

BC maintains ticket fine schedules for certain wildlife offences, and many wildlife-related ticket fine amounts were increased in 2024 (amounts vary depending on the offence). Wildlife Act offences can also be prosecuted in court, where significantly higher penalties may apply.

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Parker Cove community enforcement

Regardless of whether external enforcement attends on reserve lands, feeding wildlife and leaving attractants is a serious community safety issue. Where this behaviour creates risk to residents, staff, visitors, or animals, it may be treated as a breach of community policy and/or Sublease obligations. Residents may be directed to remove attractants and stop the behaviour. If corrective action is required by PCPLP staff, cost recovery will apply where depicted within the Sublease.

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What we’re reminding every resident to do

• Do not feed deer (no vegetables, fruit, bread, scraps, or “treats”).

• Do not feed wildlife of any kind — ever (including ducks and geese).

• Secure garbage/organics and keep compost wildlife-safe.

• Pick up fallen fruit promptly.

• Keep BBQs clean and store pet food indoors.

• Give wildlife space — do not approach.

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Do understand that although an animal such as deer and geese may be injured, they are treated as part of the natural course of nature, and left to live, as they will more often than not, heal or adapt.

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If informing our offices of items of infraction, please provide enough detail for us to act fairly and respond accordingly.

This would include date/time, exact location, what was observed (brief facts), photo/video if safely obtainable, and any witness contact info. Reports without clear details may limit our ability to follow up, and we may contact you for clarification.

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*Important*: Do not approach wildlife or attempt to intervene directly. If there is an immediate threat, prioritize safety first and remove yourselves from the immediate area.