Conservation officers have been successful in removing an arrow from the head of a deer in the Maple Bay area on June 8.
The deer was spotted by residents several days ago and officers have been looking for it in an attempt to remove the arrow since then.
Officer Scott Norris said they tranquilized the animal and had the arrow removed within 20 minutes.
“The arrow hit the roof of the mouth and stuck out the back of the deer’s neck,” he said.
“It didn’t seem to to have done much damage, and we hope the deer fully recovers. She was back on her feet shortly after we finished removing the arrow.”
Resident Heather Bertrand, who lives in the Stoney Hill area, said she spotted the deer with the arrow in its head near her yard on the afternoon of June 6 and called conservation officers.
Bertrand said she’s familiar with the deer as she and her family have spotted it near their residence many times.
“We’ve been here a long time and we’ve never seen anything like this happen before,” she said.
”We know none of our neighbours have done this so it must have been someone coming from outside the area.”
Norris said it’s known that deer has a newly born fawn, but the fawn was not with her when she was tranquilized.
“Mother deer often leave their fawns for as long as a whole day to feed or protect them, so we believe the fawn is nearby and safe,” he said.
Norris said he’s only been called once before to a similar situation around five years ago when a deer in Nanaimo was also shot in the head with an arrow.
“We were successful in removing the arrow there as well and the deer survived,” Norris said.
“This is an illegal act and we’re asking the public to give us any tips they may have. It’s not hunting season for deer and there was no hunting tip on the arrow. Penalties can be in the thousands of dollars if charges are laid.”
Anyone with any information on this or any other wildlife incidents can call 1-877-952-7277.