As problems with deer continue in the City of Weyburn and area, the city and conservation officers are attempting to feed local deer north of the city to try and draw them out of populated areas.

Another business, the third in the last couple weeks, had a window broken by a deer, this time on Saturday evening around 10 p.m. at the back of Investors Group on Third Street.

Const. Russ Chartrand said the deer broke through the glass door in the back, made a hole in a wall and some mess in the business before escaping. The deer was gone when he appeared on the scene, and the damaged door was fixed the same night.

Two deer also had to be put down near the Soo Line Museum after being hit by a vehicle, said Inspector Rod Horsman.

The conservation officers with Saskatchewan Environment Resource Management (SERM) have been working with the city to provide alternative food sources outside of the city area.

The city has cleared snow away in an area north of the Souris Valley grounds, and set up some round bales for the deer to feed on.

The city also asked SERM to allow bow-hunting on the Souris Valley grounds, as it has been in Radville for the past number of years, but SERM officials decided against it for now.

"There were many obstacles that would have to be overcome in order to make this work. The ultimate goal here was public safety. In this case, it would be difficult to ensure due to the large number of users to Souris Valley. Cross-country skiers, joggers, naturalists, children and visitors to the centre would all be affected," said conservation officer Lindsey Leko.

In Radville, meanwhile, SERM has issued 38 depredation tags to bow hunters so far this year. These hunters are only allowed to hunt deer in the area of the gravel pits on the northeast end of town. Leko estimates the deer population in and around the town ranges from 100 to 200.

"Their problems are much the same as Weyburn's, in that there is no other cover in that area other than the town of Radville. Deer will travel a long way to seek such cover," he said.

Coyotes have also become a problem in the area, although SERM officials feel they can be controlled better as they can be shot as long as it is safe to do so, and there is a bounty for the fur.

"If a rancher has a problem with coyotes attacking livestock, they should contact us so we can start a file, and hopefully get them some assistance with a trapper or use a coyote caller," said Leko.

The deer seen in Weyburn are here mostly for the security and food found in the city, said Leko, plus bucks are here because of the does that reside in the area.

Many deer have made the Souris Valley area their permanent home, he said, adding most of the deer he's seen are healthy with a good layer of winter fat on them.

For residents who are having problems with deer eating the bark off trees or shrubs, Leko suggests spraying a solution of TKO detergent, as this soap is citrus-based that is biodegradable and repels deer with its taste and smell.