question about deer in Toronto

[dawnofthewolf]

I am interested in knowing if deer range or if anybody has seen(especially recent sightings) deer in the following areas in Toronto:
Mimico Creek
Black Creek
Etobicoke Creek(between Dundas and Lakeshore)
Leslie Spit
High Park
Upper branches of the Don River(north of Wilson/York Mills)
Colonel Samuel Smith Park

[mike]

I used to live @ 4000 Yonge st. on the ground floor with a forest right off my balcony. There was one time I saw 2 deer in there. They came through the golf course underneath the bridge on Wilson just west of Yonge. They walked around to the front of the building maybe 200ft. from Yonge St! That was 2 years ago though. I'm sure they still do though. Just look for tracks in the mud on either side of the bridge. I've also seen Pileated in there as well as a Wood Thrush last spring waking the building up around 5am every morning for a few weeks (beautiful song). Also a couple beaver in the creek on the golf course there. There was also a pair of Red Tails in there, not sure if they're still around.

[frozenice7885]

two weeks ago i was biking in the leslie street spit and i know from my own eyes that there are coyotes there but as for deer i thought there wasnt. but as i was biking i saw my first deer tracks beside the large road that cars can go on. and i thought that was neat and the only way i could think of that they got there was swimming from the center islands as ive herd of deer there before so to answer your question i dont no how much luck you'll have but there are now deer on the spit.now this could be only at night and once the sun comes up they swim back over but there has definetly been deer at the spit

[Hobbes]

I did see deer droppings on ebmankment D at the Spit, this was about 2 weeks ago.

[cloaca]

You'd be hard-pressed to find a patch of green in the Toronto area without evidence of deer.

[Joe]

Saw one near the Humber Marshes (Humber river near Queensway) last year.  Ted from 'Paddle the Humber.com' said he sees them all the time.

Joe

[McNally]

I lucked out and saw one from the subway as it passed over the Humber earlier this summer.  I can't imagine seeing one at Col. Sam Smith though - has anyone ever heard of that?

[worth]

I've seen deer a number of times in the Upper Don River area between Finch & Steeles and Bayview & Leslie.
Dave

[birddog]

I have been told there are two deer on Centre Island presently, a doe and a fawn. On the shore next to the island ferries on the city side I watched a weasel run along the edge of the water.

[Anonymous]

For numbers of deer, I would suggest heading to the fields behind Humber College - North Campus located at Hwy. 27 and Humberview.  There is a resident herd of approximately 7-8 deer in the valley and they love to eat the grass first thing in the am through the fall and winter.  There are also occasional transient coyotes that pass through, but as I mentioned they only appear occasionally.

Other areas of the City that I've seen deer in include the Rouge Valley at both the Glen Rouge Campground on the north side of Hwy. 2, east of Port Union road or the massive hiking areas around the old Glen Rouge Ski Hill.  This area is also home to several coyote families and one can often see and hear them in the evening as they search for dinner.  Be aware, as well, that in the spring this area has also been known to have the occasional black bear pass through as they follow the river flows south to look for food such as berries.  This is a rare phenomenon, but it does occur from time to time.  

The Scarborough Bluffs also have a small population that spend time in the thick foliage on the hills that are at the foot of the Eastern portion of the Bluffs.  Once again, there is the occasional coyote that will transit through this area.  Foxes are numerous in this area as well, so keep your eyes peeled.  One must exercise caution if departing the lower bluffs area at both twilight and night as there are usually animals found either bouding accross or beside the road which is the sole access point to the Scarborough Bluffs.

There is also a herd in the Kortright Conservation area, along with a family of coyotes.  They are tough to find during the day, but if you spend some time in the deep forests you'll often catch glimpses of them as they flee.  The best time to see any deer is usually the very early morning or in the evening, which doesn't fit well with Kortright as their hours don't encompass those times.

There are also occasional sightings of deer in the Don River Valley as far south as Eglinton Ave, and I believe someone here posted photos of them on this forum, just unsure of their location.  The ones that are normally seen over on the Toronto Islands and Leslie St. Spit are ones that have usually swam over while wandering the waterfront through Eastern Toronto in the areas I mentioned above or swimming down the Humber River and over from there.

[dawnofthewolf]

Thanks for all the responses.

I lucked out and saw one from the subway as it passed over the Humber earlier this summer.

That is very lucky.  I saw a pair of deer twice south of Bloor St. on the east bank of the Humber River several years ago and a dead deer being devoured by maggots last year in the same area.

I can't imagine seeing one at Col. Sam Smith though - has anyone ever heard of that?

I read about it in the Guardian.  They are most likely transients.

For numbers of deer, I would suggest heading to the fields behind Humber College - North Campus located at Hwy. 27 and Humberview. There is a resident herd of approximately 7-8 deer in the valley  

I think there is a much larger population of deer in the upper Humber inside Toronto than 7-8 deer.  I counted at least 8 deer bounding off behind Humber College a few years back.  I read in the Guardian several months ago that there are around 300 deer in the upper Humber!(which I think is an over-estimate) and that they are a nuisance to gardeners.

In Toronto, I think that the Rouge, Humber and Don river valleys have the largest population of deer with other areas having smaller populations.

The ones that are normally seen over on the Toronto Islands and Leslie St. Spit are ones that have usually swam over while wandering the waterfront through Eastern Toronto in the areas I mentioned above or swimming down the Humber River and over from there.

That is the most likely explanation.

I propose an interactive map for this website where one can bookmark interesting animal sightings such as deer and coyotes.

[Dr. John]

I've seen deer intermittently in the Don Valley, but none this year so far. I've seen a dead one as far south as Rosedale Valley Road and others have seen one in Riverdale park.

-John

[Anonymous]

Perhaps I should have been more clear.

There are definitely larger numbers than I outlined above in the area mentioned.  The herd that I was referring to is actually on the Humber College property and they spend the entire year there, hence making spotting and tracking easy as they rarely wander outside of that location.

The number 300 isn't an over estimate...if anything, it is actually an underestimate of the population.  Deer recognize that urban areas are safe zones where hunters are not a threat, and as such they congregate in these areas.

Rouge valley numbers are way down due to poaching in the area.  Don River Valley has a big population but I do need to ask by what area you are specifically talking about?  While there are some transients that do wander down to the City most prefer to stay in areas where they can find peace and quiet.

[dawnofthewolf]

The number 300 isn't an over estimate...if anything, it is actually an underestimate of the population. Deer recognize that urban areas are safe zones where hunters are not a threat, and as such they congregate in these areas.

The article, which I read several months ago in the Guardian said there was approximately 300 deer in the upper Humber.  I don't know whether it meant inside the boundaries of Toronto or further north, but I highly doubt there is 300 deer inside Toronto, let alone the upper branches of the Humber inside Toronto.

Don River Valley has a big population but I do need to ask by what area you are specifically talking about? While there are some transients that do wander down to the City most prefer to stay in areas where they can find peace and quiet.

I meant the whole part of Don River inside Toronto such as the East Don, West Don, Charles Sauriol Park, Taylor Creek, etc, not just the areas adjacent to the DVP.