SAINT-PHILLIPPE, N.B.- Residents outside Moncton say deep snow is making it hard for deer in the area to get around and find food.
Paul Vautour says deer are often on his property to eat buds from his trees, but they are struggling through the snow.
“They have a hard job getting around,” he said. “They try the yard as much as they can because they have trails built around, but deep snow is a problem for them.”
Vautour’s neighbour Ralph Noseworthy has been feeding deer on his property for years. He says the heavy snowfall has been a problem for them, but the late winter has played in their favour.
“I think they’re alright this year because it was so late when they got the snow like they can go quite a while without good feed,” he said.
The province’s Department of Natural Resources says the next month could determine how deer fare in the province.
The department says the deep snow makes it harder for them to find food and escape predators. It can also force them into urban areas where it’s easier to move around on solid footing.
Despite the problematic snow, Vautour said it’s not all bad news.
“The weight of the snow on the branches brings the branches closer to the ground and they’re able to chew the buds from there,” he said.
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