The Town of Okotoks has worked towards establishing baseline population data on the deer in town.

The count was performed over the course of about an hour back on Sept. 15. A total of 51 deer were found in town as well as 15 just outside of the boundary.

Christa Michailuck, parks manager, says the numbers didn't come as a surpise, but says it's important to note this is just from a snapshot in time.

"We all know that we see deer in various locations throughout the town at any given time of day," she says. "This was just an hour of time on one day of the year so it's not necessarily representative of how many deer are always in town at any other moment or where deer can be found in town."

Michailuck says the deer count was suggested as a result from a previous initiative.

"Earlier this spring the Town had surveyed residents on their feelings towards deer and the bottom line with that is most people felt like we share the town with the deer and we have to make some compromises to get along with them."

Michailuck says 10% of respondents to the town's deer survey earlier in the year said they had concerns in regards to their safety with the deer.

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