Fencing at the Vernon Regional Airport (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Higher Fences, Better Cameras

Wildlife control at Vernon airport, raises concerns about fences

Feb 13, 2026 | 6:00 AM

The City of Vernon is investing in new wildlife control measures at the airport, raising a long-standing issue from one councillor.

City staff proposed allocating up to $80,000 from the Airport Reserve to increase the height of the airport perimetre fence at key locations, and enhance security cameras so they could automatically detect wildlife. The estimated costs for the fencing was $60,000, while the camera enhancements was estimated to be $20,000.

The staff report stated the Vernon Airport maintains an active wildlife monitoring program, and reviews its existing mitigation strategies when there are notable shifts in wildlife activity.

“Recent wildlife monitoring has identified a trend of increased number of deer gaining access to airport property,” the report read.

“Large mammals such as deer pose a high risk due to their size and weight, creating a significant hazard in the event of a collision with an aircraft. While this increase in deer activity is not unique to the airport, the associated risk to aviation users must be addressed. Current mitigation strategies, that include staff patrols and a variety of scare tactics are effective when personnel are on site but do not resolve the root cause of the issue.”

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Vernon City Council was presented with the plan to enhance wildlife control measures at the airport during the regular meeting Monday, Feb. 9, where it was unanimously supported.

However, one councillor raised a long-standing concern about fencing during the meeting.

“I just want to make a point that when [the City] needs a fence on Okanagan Landing Road [the airport], but when the residents need a fence to protect what they have from the deer, we don’t let them because you can only go [to a height of] four feet,” Councillor Brian Quiring stated.

“So please, let’s work on that Fence Bylaw because the deer cross the road and jump over the fence and eat people’s gardens.

“If it’s good for the goose it’s got to be good for the gander, so let’s just remember this fence issue when we’re redoing our Fence Bylaw, which hopefully is happening still this term.”

Mayor Victor Cumming disagreed with Quiring’s point, saying “safety on the runway is a whole other level and it’s critical,” and alluding to how wildlife is more dangerous to airport traffic than it is to vehicle traffic.

Staff did not reply during the meeting about when regulations about residential fencing would be reconsidered or when a new Fence Bylaw would be brought forward.