Oak Bay seeks access to residential properties for deer contraception

The District of Oak Bay is seeking access to the region’s residential properties in an effort to control the deer population. 

To control the number of deer, the District is partnering with HERD Wildlife Management and Consulting, who will be administering immuno-contraceptive (IC) to female deer throughout Oak Bay this fall.

The District is asking Oak Bay property owners to grant HERD Wildlife veterinarians access to their private property in order to maximize the number of deer affected. 

“Since deer frequently travel through residential areas, having access to private properties provides more opportunities to safely vaccinate female deer,” wrote the District in a media release.

HERD Wildlife expects to begin administering the immuno-contraceptive to female deer beginning in early September, and will work through the end of October. 

During this timeframe, veterinarians will be searching for deer during daylight hours—typically between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.—on public and private land. 

The District says all property access will be conducted by trained staff who will follow animal welfare and safety protocols.

In order to access private property, the District is asking willing property owners to grant HERD Wildlife professionals access by filling out a consent form.

Property owners who had previously filled out the consent form who wish to continue to provide access must submit another consent form for access in 2026.

According to Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society’s last estimate, there are around 100 deer in Oak Bay at any given time.