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About the ODSA
The Ontario Deer Stewardship Association (ODSA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation and preservation of Ontario's deer population. Our mission is to promote sustainable deer management practices, protect deer habitats, and educate the public about the importance of deer stewardship. With a focus on community involvement and environmental stewardship, ODSA is committed to ensuring a thriving and healthy deer herd for future generations.
Our organization was formed out of necessity. Over the past 20 years, Ontario's deer management policy has increasingly focused on reducing deer herds, often to levels that have seriously deminished the recreational value deer provide. From deer culls across many provincial parks, to overzealous antlerless deer quotas, Ontario's deer management approach is one that has been shaped by many special interest groups. Notably absent from the voices influencing deer management has been a pro-deer organization. The ODSA brings together like-minded members of the public that want our province's deer management to reflect the value deer provide to Ontarians, ranging from a vital source of recreation and sustenance, to a significant source of economic value for rural communities and outdoors businesses. Currently, no organization is actively advocating for positive change, and this is why ODSA was formed.
Our Mission
At the Ontario Deer Stewardship Association (ODSA), we advocate for the responsible management of Ontario's deer herds. We are determined to see our province's deer management policy approach reflect and align with the immense value deer bring to Ontario's hunting community and nature enthusiasts as a whole.
The ODSA promotes deer harvest objectives that are based on sound science, and we also empower hunters and landowners to improve their herds despite any misalignment of objectives at the government level. We work collaboratively with hunters, communities and various conservation partners to achieve our goals. Through advocacy, research, and outreach, we aim to be a leading voice for re-building Ontario's deer herds.
Our Initiatives
As an advocate for responsible deer stewardship, ODSA is actively involved in various initiatives to support the well-being of Ontario's deer population:
Advocacy: Our efforts include advocacy work at the government level (Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario Parks) and with public landowners such Conservation Authorities and Counties. Advocacy ensures that a united voice for deer and deer hunting is heard by levels of government affecting the management of Ontario's deer herds.
Advise and Information for Government: As many will know, many government departments are resource-constrained. Despite good intentions, various departments responsible for deer management or influence over deer herds lack the resources to develop sound policy and regulations affecting deer. ODSA aims to be Ontario's primary source of reliable information to help government departments make evidence-based decisions affecting deer. Examples include advising on deer harvest quotas, land-use planning and regulation (e.g., deer wintering yards under threat from industrial and housing development), and ensuring that Ontario's hunting regulations promote real opportunities for deer hunters (hunter success and satisfaction).
Habitat Initiatives: Working with private landowners, including hunters, farmers, conservation trusts, and public land managers, we empower local communities and hunters to get involved in restoring and protecting critical deer habitats. Through the establishment of local ODSA branches, we can achieve on-the-ground changes that help secure the future of deer and deer hunting. ODSA can help local branches access funding to improve and create better deer habitat and connect local branches with the resources and knowledge needed to implement successful projects.