ML Deer Committee prepares for March 28 seminar

At its Feb. 11 meeting, the Medical Lake Citizens Deer Advisory Committee worked out some of the details of their education and public outreach efforts.

The committee set March 28 as the tentative date for its education seminar at City Hall.

Candace Bennett, Wildlife Conflict Specialist with Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), said the master gardeners from Washington State University would be available for a 45-minute session on what types of plants keep deer away, as well answer questions for residents. Committee chair Russ Brown said he would like to contact KXLY to bring in Phyllis Stephens, who hosts “The Lawn and Garden Show” on KXLY 920AM, to the seminar as a keynote speaker.

The seminar will also have tables with information from groups and merchants about the type of non-lethal repellents and methods residents can use to keep deer away from their property. Brown said the committee would finalize everything at its March 4 meeting.

“We should also have someone from the city to talk about local ordinances,” Brown said.

The committee suggested that Bennett give her presentations at the schools in March, right around the time when fawns are born. They also suggested she talk about safety and keeping away from the deer.

“Kids are drawn to animals and you have to remind them and adults to give them space,” Lahnie Henderson said.

Bennett said her presentations at the schools would be similar to the one she gave at the first meeting, only simpler.

“My experience with kids is that simpler workers better,” Bennett said.

Brown said he would contact the school administration to help set up the time when Bennett would go to the school.

As for public outreach, the committee looked at drafts of posters that advise residents not to feed wild animals. Brown said the committee could hang them at various locations throughout the city.

They also looked at drafts of pamphlets that every Medical Lake resident will receive in the mail. The pamphlets contain a brief history about the feeding ordinance the city adopted in late 2014, as well as information about the harm of intentionally giving wild animals food. Brown said he still needed to talk to Mayor John Higgins about mailing the pamphlets.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].