In 2001 there were 661 deer-car collisions. In 2002, there were more than two collisions per day.

Lanark County is Ottawa’s closest rival, with the rate of collisions rising from 97 in 1988 to 455 in 2000. In east central Ontario, be wary driving through Hastings County after dark. The Ministry of Transport recorded 66 collisions in 1988, and 234 in 2000. Peterborough lagged slightly behind with 220 collisions in 2000.

While we know of only one fatality, occurring in Ottawa last fall, property damage has been enormous. Over the 12-year period ending in 2000, Ontario had 90,349 collisions. In addition, thousands of acres of crops have been destroyed.

In Peterborough, Karen Bellamy, acting wildlife coordinator for the province, said "people have contributed big time to the problem. We keep pushing ourselves closer to the deer." People with an urban background are moving to rural areas in greater numbers, but they refuse to allow hunters on their properties. "Hunting is the main tool in controlling deer," she said.

Ottawa has another problem. The National Capital Commission (NCC) has a large tract of green space that has become "a huge deer reservoir" and won’t allow hunting on these properties, she said.

"There’s no magic bullet for getting rid of this problem," she says. Farmers are going to have to plant their crops with the view of where they are best protected from wildlife.

Under Canadian law deer, moose and elk have more privileges than other animals. Farmers need a deer harassment permit before they can chase a deer out.

The Ministry of Natural Resources is lobbying some municipalities to have appropriate bylaws in place. In some places shot guns only can be allowed for the deer hunt.

"Another answer is to link farmers with hunters," she says. "Assign permits for a particular location."