Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Corey Fischer

Wildlife Expert Says Vernon Needs ‘Deer Education’

Dec 12, 2017 | 2:30 PM

The provincial coordinator of Wildsafe BC is urging the City of Vernon to start educating residents on the perils of feeding urban deer.

Frank Ritcey says the more you feed them, the more the populations will grow.

“Just the sheer number of deer isn’t the issue. The issue is when the deer become aggressive or that they are starting to make life unlivable for you, in terms of keeping a garden or landscaping,” Ritcey told Vernon council.

Neither Ritcey, or any member of council, spoke in favour of a cull to reduce the deer population at this point, as some other BC communities have done.

Ritcey says they’ve had 700 calls about human-wildlife conflicts in Vernon this year, most involving black bears getting into garbage.

Mechanical Issues
Opening of Lavington Outdoor Pool delayed, again
6h ago
Commonage Crash
Motorcyclist hospitalized in crash near Vernon
9h ago
Two Deaths in May
Fatal drug poisonings recorded locally in May, yearly totals still down
12h ago

Ritcey says 209 of the calls were for bears — 38 more than all of last year.

“65 percent of your bear calls when an attractant was noted, had to do with garbage, so it’s really important that we continue to work on getting a good handle on solid waste management in the city.”

Ritcey says they will be approaching the regional district to see if RDNO would like to join the program in 2018, allowing for residents around the area to be educated about how to avoid human-wildlife conflicts.

by Corey Fischer

Other Matters

Mechanical Issues
Opening of Lavington Outdoor Pool delayed, again
Once again, people looking to cool off from the summer heat face a delay in accessing a local amenity.The District of Coldstream said the Lavington Outdoor Pool opening had to be pushed back again.The pool was expected to open June 27, but mechanical issues were uncovered that forced its opening to first be pushed back...
6h ago
Read More
Commonage Crash
Motorcyclist hospitalized in crash near Vernon
A motorcycle rider was taken hospital after a crash on Commonage Road south of Vernon.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said officers were called out to the scene near the intersection of Bailey Road around 7:50 a.m. Thursday for reports of a crash.Investigators found that a passenger vehicle had slowed to pull over to the si...
9h ago
Read More
Don't Move a Mussel
New boat launch signage installed to prevent invasive mussel spread
The Okanagan Basin Water Board has taken a new approach to try to prevent invasive mussels from entering the local waterways.As part of the 'Don't Move a Mussel' campaign, first-of-its kind boat launch stencils with messaging urging boaters to clean, drain and dry their vessels have been painted at select spots in West...
10h ago
Read More
Two Deaths in May
Fatal drug poisonings recorded locally in May, yearly totals still down
Two people lost their lives to illicit substances in Greater Vernon in May.The preliminary figures from the B.C. Coroners Service indicated there had just been six fatal overdoses in the North Okanagan community in 2026. Those included the two in May, one in March, and three in January.In Kelowna, there were three drug...
12h ago
Read More
Whistleblower
West Kelowna launches confidential whistleblower reporting service
The City of West Kelowna has launched a confidential third-party whistleblower service for employees, volunteers, contractors and consultants to report suspected wrongdoing involving the municipality.The service is operated by independent investigators with Southern Law LLP and is designed to provide a confidential pro...
12h ago
Read More
Sudden Death
Kelowna RCMP: Death near Mill Creek not suspicious
A death reported near Mill Creek is not considered suspicious according to Kelowna RCMP and is not believed to be related to a drowning.Police responded Wednesday afternoon to the 2600 block of Enterprise Way following a report of a sudden death.RCMP said investigators have determined there is no indication of criminal...
12h ago
Read More
Severe Dry Conditions
Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for third week
The Okanagan has again been ranked at Drought Level 4.The ranking, which was given for the third week in a row July 9, is the second-highest drought rating and indicates severe conditions.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the streams in the region had high water temperatures and declining flows. The agency specifical...
13h ago
Read More
Wildfire, Extreme Heat Preparedness
Special workshop to prepare older adults for emergency situations
A special workshop will be held to ensure people are prepared for emergency situations that arise with another hot, dry summer on the horizon.NexusBC Community Centre in Vernon will host its Emergency Preparedness Workshop for Older Adults July 22.The workshop will teach people how to prepare for emergencies that are c...
18h ago
Read More
Locals Honoured
Two Okanagan industry leaders named to BC Restaurant Hall of Fame
Two prominent names with ties to the Okanagan food and hospitality industry will be recognized this fall with induction into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame.Kelowna's Christina Ferreira and Okanagan-born chef Ned Bell are among 24 people selected for the 2026 class by the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association. The ...
Jul 08, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Mechanical Issues
Opening of Lavington Outdoor Pool delayed, again
6h ago
Commonage Crash
Motorcyclist hospitalized in crash near Vernon
9h ago
Two Deaths in May
Fatal drug poisonings recorded locally in May, yearly totals still down
12h ago
Severe Dry Conditions
Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for third week
13h ago
Wildfire, Extreme Heat Preparedness
Special workshop to prepare older adults for emergency situations
18h ago