Conservation officers are searching for a deer with an arrow in its torso seen wandering around Saanich.
The B.C. Conservation Service has received several reports of a deer in it around Greater Victoria.
In a statement, the service said the deer is mobile, but they are actively looking for the animal.
“CO’s will assess the deer and attempt to intervene and remove the arrow if they are able to safely do so,” statement continued.
A photo posted to social media shows the deer near McKenzie Avenue and Blenkinsop Road on October 29, standing on the side of the road with an arrow in its torso and what appears to be a significant wound.
Why?
Reported to conservation pic.twitter.com/ZyGm2Fw70C
— Leo Spalteholz (@LeoSpalteholz) October 29, 2023
“Right now we aren’t actually sure where this deer came from, whether the arrow was shot in it in Saanich or not,” Sgt. Damian Kowalewich, Saanich Police, said.
Saanich Police is working with conservation, CRD Animal Services and Saanich bylaw to find the deer.
Saanich bylaws allow arrows to be fired from a bow only for recreational archery purposes.
It’s prohibit to use a crossbow within urban areas, with some exceptions that do not include hunting.
“While there are legal areas of bow hunting along the Saanich Peninsula, CO’s are investigating whether the deer was legally hunted,” the conservation service said.
Residents are asked to report any sightings of this deer, or other suspected wildlife conflicts, to the RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) Hotline at 1-877-952-7277 or rapp.bc.ca.
Mackenzie Read
