The summer and wildfire season is here, so now is the time to prepare for the "what ifs" of a wildfire in Sisters.
We’d like to remind all PMV owners/tenants that the City of Sisters passed Ordinance 457 (identification code 6.12.105) in March 2015 that prohibits feeding the deer. It reads:
A person, who knowingly places, deposits, distributes, stores or scatters food, garbage or any other attractant as to constitute a lure, attraction or enticement for deer, may be issued a written notification by an agent of the City of Sisters requiring the person to remove the food, garbage or other attractant within two days of notification.
The City Council passed the ordinance in response to concerns for the safety of both people and pets and the unintended consequence of inviting prey (coyotes and cougars) into our neighborhoods.
The ordinance does indicate it is a Class B violation, which carries a $250 fine. The City first sends a notification to someone and attempts to get voluntary compliance prior to citing them.
A district wildlife biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's Deschutes Wildlife District said, "We are pleased with the passage of the ordinance; feeding deer causes damage problems for neighbors, and creates human/dog safety issues by fostering "aggressive' deer. Feeding unnaturally concentrates deer, making disease transmission easier, and it can focus predators in areas of unnatural deer concentrations."
