Deer Attracting Predators Near City in North Idaho

DALTON GARDENS, Idaho (AP) — Residents of Dalton Gardens have long been accustomed to deer nosing around the community north of Coeur d'Alene.

Complaints about deer devouring gardens, tearing down fences and creating traffic hazards are familiar, but residents told the city council last week there's a new problem.

There are so many whitetails they are attracting predators — coyotes and cougars.

Residents have seen coyotes scavenging deer carcasses. Tom Dickerson said he spotted a cougar twice over the summer.

Fish and Game regional conservation officer Craig Walker tells The Spokesman-Review (http://bit.ly/1p8HCPH ) predators have always been hanging around the edges of the Dalton Gardens deer.