Tips and Information about Local Wildlife

Urban Deer

The most common wildlife residents will encounter are deer. Although deer aren't typically considered dangerous, they may see people and dogs as a threat and can act aggressively to protect themselves or their fawns.

What Can I Do if I Experience an Aggressive Deer?
If you experience an aggressive deer incident, defined as “deer chasing, or kicking, at a person or pet resulting in damage or injury,” you should contact the Report-A-Poacher line immediately at 1-800-642-3800 and be able to report the location of the aggressive animal.  This line is monitored 24/7 and a wildlife officer will determine if further action is required.

Please Do Not Feed Deer
Feeding wildlife, especially deer, has become more common and problematic recently in some areas in Alberta. Okotoks has a significant population of deer in our area and could be subject to future problems if residents or visitors begin feeding them. Problems linked to feeding wildlife arise when animals pursue people and occasionally threaten public safety. To report illegal feeding of deer on public property, contact Municipal Enforcement.

Feeding deer could lead to:

• Overcrowding and increased incidence of disease in animal populations can be linked to feeding. Ticks can be passed to humans in close contact with infected animals.
• Butting or pawing of persons by over-anxious deer has occurred in other municipalities, resulting in human injury, particularly to small children.
• High populations of deer may attract predators, like cougars, into populated areas.

Please be a responsible resident and practice the following tips:

DO NOT feed or approach any wild animal
DO NOT leave pet food outside (may attract skunks & coyotes)
DO NOT distribute bird feed in parks or natural areas

DO slow down for wildlife
DO use deer-resistant bird feeders

Voles are small mouse-sized rodents with a shorter tail. Voles are outdoor year-round residents in Okotoks. They do not become a pest indoors, but rather will chew away at lawns and trees, especially in winter. Most lawn damage is cosmetic and quickly repairs itself once grass is actively growing, by about mid May. You may reduce damage from voles in the fall by adding tree guards, mowing grass short, and setting out bait stations. In the spring catch voles with mouse traps baited with peanut butter or apple slices. 

More formally called Richardson's ground squirrel; gophers are a burrowing rodent commonly associated with agricultural lands. Parks controls gophers where holes pose hazards to sports field users and in or adjacent to other mowed turf areas. You may report gopher activity on public lands to Parks. To control gophers on your property, contact a private pest control company.

Skunks and foxes are common in Okotoks. Skunks are omnivores, eating both insects and plants. In an urban environment skunks can be quite opportunistic, getting into pet food, garbage, and compost. Foxes mainly consume small rodents, birds, eggs and rabbits. To deter skunks and foxes on your property, ensure holes under decks and outbuildings are blocked. To have skunks or foxes trapped, contact a pest control company. 

While enjoying the many parks and natural areas in Okotoks, you may sight a coyote. Coyotes are common to this region and although their diets are mainly rodents and rabbits, they may attack pets. Coyote sightings need not to be reported, however, close encounters or coyote aggression should be reported to the local Fish and Wildlife district office.