Wildlife officer records low numbers

With hunting season right around the corner, hunters heading out this year may notice a fewer number of wildlife  species through their gun sights.

    Lionel Veldkamp, District Fish and Wildlife Officer out of Vegreville said currently the deer population is down from previous years.

    “This year saw the largest deer die off in this area in more than 10 years.

    “The deer made it through the winter without problem. But when the grass sprouts in spring, the bacteria in the stomach of the deer has to change in order for the animal to break down the food, much like cattle. It’s during this time frame of about seven to ten days that the weaker animals die from illnesses brought on by starvation.”

For more see the Oct. 16/12 issue of the Viking Weekly Review