Deer Herd Reduction, Point Pelee National Park

Over decades, the white-tailed deer population at Point Pelee National Park has become hyperabundant due to the extirpation of large predators, mild winters, regional land-use changes, forest succession, and population ecology. To address ecological impacts associated with the augmented population, research was completed on the deer herd and vegetation communities. Based on the research, an Integrated Vegetation Management Plan (2012) and Hyperabundant Deer Management Plan (2014) were established with clear goals and objectives to reduce the herd size and monitor vegetation for the correlated improvements to the park's ecology. The herd reduction has been intermittently completed since 1991 in order to lower the population to the park's current carrying capacity (6-8 deer/km2). The management goal is to restore and maintain the park's ecological integrity, and protect the forest and savannah vegetation communities and Point Pelee's multiple species at risk. This project will be accomplished through an as needed annual deer herd reduction, and partnership with the Caldwell First Nation.

Latest update

July 14, 2025 - The assessment decision statement has been issued to the proponent.

Participate

Contacts

Point Pelee National Park
407 Monarch Lane, RR 1
Leamington, Ontario N8H 3V4
Telephone: 519-322-2365 or 1-888-773-8888
Email: pelee.info@pc.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Point Pelee National Park (Ontario)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Remediation and conservation

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2020-11-20

  • Proponent

    Parks Canada

  • Authorities

    • Parks Canada Agency

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    81162

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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