So you think you have a deer problem? No you don't!

[NSBound]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC8TeIDwBzI&feature=share"]This video[/ame] was shot near Kemptown, Nova Scotia earlier this year, where there is a logging operation going on. It's quite the flock and I'm glad they're there and not near me!

 

[creekbend]

That video showed quite a large number of deer in that herd. Does Nova Scotia have any natural predators, such as wolves, coyotes, bobcats, or mountain lions? Is the large population due to lack of hunting pressure, or just a large variety and amount of food available? Whatever the reasons, the video revealed a healthy deer herd. Definitely a surplus in anyone's book.

 

[George2615]

I was lucky to see two deer this year. One is now in the freezer. That was quite a herd. They are a curious bunch though. We usually see a few deer before season when we are working in the woods also. They come to watch the machinery and see what we are cutting up with the saws.

 

[Kyle241]

That video showed quite a large number of deer in that herd. Does Nova Scotia have any natural predators, such as wolves, coyotes, bobcats, or mountain lions? Is the large population due to lack of hunting pressure, or just a large variety and amount of food available? Whatever the reasons, the video revealed a healthy deer herd. Definitely a surplus in anyone's book.

There are coyotes especially up in the Cape Breton Highlands and I'm sure they range further South.

 

[Chilly807]

That's quite the video, Ian. I've never seen that many here, or anything even close to that. Lunenburg county is over-run with them too, and has been for years. We were allowed either *** here (zone 107) again this year.

Sean

 

[NSBound]

I've never seen a herd like that near me, thankfully, although it would be fun to see. And yes, there are coyotes all through northern Nova Scotia. There's a trapper setting traps in the woods down my road right now, he was warning neighbours to not let their dog run in the woods for a few weeks.

 

[brewdog]

I didn't see a buck in the bunch. Maybe I missed a few.

 

[GregbkH]

I didn't see a buck in the bunch. Maybe I missed a few.

That's what I was thinking.

 

[brewdog]

That's what I was thinking.

It might of been spring time after the deer were yarding from a long winter.

 

[rockinmywaypa]

i agree with Brewdog. They have probably been yarding for the winter. I have a yard behind my place and I've seen close to a hundred early in the spring when the snow begins to melt off the field at the edge of the bush, just before they disperse for the year. I have yet to ever see one during the one week rifle hunting season though.

 

[easygo]

Not surprised they yarded up like that. Look at the snow it's up to the belly for some of them. Logging operations provide an easy way to get around (machines push down the snow) and a constant easy food supply. A few years ago the State here cut the woods back along the freeway by about 40-50ft on each side. It was a semi-hard winter but the deer still lined the freeway eating the yummy cedar tops. I counted 130+ on a 70 mile trip.

 

[mroldstyle]

Yep deer love a clearcut! does seem like a somewhat unhealthy number though.

 

[dusty3030]

As Troy Landry would say:
"Choot em! Choooot em!"

 

[jimmyj]

Wow, I've never seen anything like that. Thanks for posting.

 

[TripleR]

Wow, never saw anything close to that; the most I have ever seen in person was on our farm and I counted at least thirteen.

 

[dirtydan]

A couple of years ago we were driving and came across a herd in a picked cornfield. This was getting late winter maybe March don't remember for sure but several ran off as we came up on the field. I still counted 110 left on the field. If someone told me that there was 200 I would not have bet against it. I have not seen a group like that before or since. This was a couple of miles from my place so needless to say there are many deer here. Hunters have the whole area bought up, at least 4000 acres with very little hunting pressure so they are multiplying quickly. The land that was next to mine was owned by Jay Gregory who has a hunting show on the outdoor channel I think it is called The Wild Outdoors, and the Drury's own across the road from me. Jay sold his land to a man who has his own jet so I guess he is not hurting for money. My wife said she saw a small jet circle over the other day and then took off. Guessing it was him.
Dan