Editors note: This letter is in response to Len Burkitts letter in The Pioneers

September 27th issue.

Dear Editor:

Most residents understand it is possible to live peacefully with deer and have an attractive yard with shrubs, trees and flowers. There are as many ways to protect your plants as there are deer-resistant species. If you walk through town, youll see district-planted trees with effective, inexpensive stem protection. The district planted unpalatable shrubs around the pothole, which show no sign of browsing. The downtown flowers were resplendent all summer.

In Invermere, there are thriving, productive vegetable gardens with safe, effective exclusion fencing. Some border plants need protection for the first few years and other plants need seasonal protection from antlered bucks. Information is available online, in books and garden shops, and some landscapers have local expertise and advice.

Mr. Burkitt previously complained of cleaning 67 pellet piles in 2012 and another 67 piles in 2013. In May 2011, he predicted a deer population growth to 800 in 2012 and 1,600 this year. Hes written of his refusal to fence, and wrote about the loss of lilacs in June 2011 and again in 2013 along with his stated refusal to protect plants.

Not only does he write that climate change is a myth (The Pioneer, July 15th, 2011) but he believes long-legged rats spread Lyme disease, that residents should advertise free venison and that poaching is simply people protecting their property.

In his poaching letter, he also said the powers that be will not or cannot provide protection for property owners. But sadly, the District of Invermere did listen and decided to kill deer in order to silence complaints like his.

Did they reassure him that killing deer on district property in Athalmer will save his unprotected plants? Or perhaps they told him that even though they protect plants on district property, there is no need for him to accept responsibility for his property? Or better yet, perhaps they promised to kill the repeat offenders that left those piles?

With deer numbers in decline and diseases on the horizon, he may need to find a new target for his disdain.

Kathy Wilson

Invermere / Regina