(Medicine River Wildlife Centre/Facebook)

By Ashley Lavallee-Koenig

DEER PARK AND MOUNTVIEW

Concerns raised about Red Deer hares being shot with darts

May 16, 2025 | 11:03 AM

The Medicine River Wildlife Centre (MRWC) is raising concern over recent accounts of hares seen with darts lodged in their bodies within the city of Red Deer.

The centre was first made aware of the incidents around mid-April. So far, it’s received two accounts of affected hares and three reports of darts found in residents’ yards, all in the Deer Park and Mountview neighbourhoods.

Unfortunately, the solution isn’t as simple as catching them and removing the darts, comments MRWC Executive Director Carol Kelly.

“They don’t like to go into traps, so trying to trap a hare is difficult, almost impossible. And stressing them out is not something we want to do, so we don’t want to be chasing them, and netting them,” she says.

One hare has been pictured with a dart in its neck while the other has one lodged in its leg. Fortunately, the darts don’t appear to be causing the animals too much discomfort.

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“They’re roaming around. One lady showed me a video of the one hit in its leg and he’s running. There might be a hint of a limp, but only a hint,” says Kelly, adding the movement could naturally dislodge it.

The hare that was struck in the neck, however, was unfortunately found deceased in Deer Park on May 14 due to unrelated causes. Kelly believes it may have been struck by a vehicle, or potentially mauled by a dog, based on where it was found and its visible injuries.

Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services are aware of the situation, and say it’s been working with the MRWC to assess the animals and determine any next steps, if necessary.

Officials state, “We would like to remind the public that it is unlawful to hunt within city limits, according to the Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulation.”

Kelly is concerned, however, these incidents may be something darker than failed hunting attempts. She says she’s encountered darted animals before, but those had a straight edge, while the darts seen in people’s yards had a “v-shaped, jagged edge.”

Kelly asserts, “If you’re shooting things for fun, that’s not cool. You don’t shoot things for fun. If you’re shooting them because you’re annoyed with them, they’re causing a problem in your yard or something, call us. We can help you solve those problems.”

Fish and Wildlife asks those with any information on the incidents to report it through the Report a Poacher line at 1-800-642-3800 or online. Kelly adds the MRWC is also happy to accept reports and pass them on to authorities.