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Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Wildlife battle rages for area farmer
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‘Worst year ever’ says Central Saanich’s Jack Mar on a losing battle to protect crops from wildlife Jim Zeeben News staff
Squirrels in the strawberries, rabbits in the bush beans and deer in the kale. Not to mention birds in the berries. Wildlife seems to be taking over at Central Saanich farmer Jack Mar’s property. It’s gotten so bad, the 75-year-old spent four nights camping out in his van to try and catch the crop thieves red-handed. “But I couldn’t spot them,” he says. “This is the worst year I’ve ever seen for birds, rabbits, deer and squirrels,” says Mar, who started his career as a farmer right after graduating 55 years ago. “I’ve never had all these varmints in one year like this,” Mar says. “I just hope it doesn’t continue over the summer.” Mar has filed an application with Central Saanich for an easement to allow a perimeter fence on municipal land. That would help with deer, which have had little problem getting past a fence Mar “I’ve never had all erected on the Martindale Road property he rents. On Monday morning, Mar said he had these varmints in one to chase away two large deer that were chewyear like this. I just ing their way through rows of kale. “They’ve just destroyed the plants,” Mar hope it doesn’t continue said. over the summer.” Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor is sympathetic to Mar’s plight and notes that a – Jack Mar number of farmers have asked for easements to try and keep wildlife away from crops. “We try and expedite (those requests) because we do realize the issue is time sensitive,” says Windsor, who toured Mar’s farm last week. Mar is also in the process of filling out paperwork for a firearms discharge permit to allow him to use a shotgun to protect his livelihood. However, it’s unclear if his property is large enough to meet municipal requirements. Windsor says he’s looking into whether there’s any room to reduce those requirements, which may be more stringent than provincial regulations. Mar, who co-chairs the Peninsula Agricultural Commission, says deer and geese are causing problems for many farmers in Central Saanich. Jim Zeeben/News staff
Please see: Farmer fighting off large population, page 4
Central Saanich farmer Jack Mar says strawberries are just one of the crops being devastated by wildlife this spring.