Twice in just a couple of days over Christmas, Squamish's Wolfgang Wittenburg spotted deer in the Garibaldi Highlands.
But are they supposed to be out and about in winter?
Vanessa Isnardy, WildSafeBC provincial program manager, says it is quite normal to see deer lower in valley bottoms as they try to avoid deep snow, "which hampers their movements, causes them to expend more energy and makes them more susceptible to predation by cougars and wolves."
While people may be tempted to feed deer, especially when it gets cold, Isnardy warns that it is a bad idea.
"Deer that spend more time in communities are more likely to be involved in wildlife-vehicle collisions, which puts both deer and humans at risk of injury or death," she said.
Also, rich foods can harm or potentially kill the animal.
"They have evolved over thousands of years to adapt to winter climates, and it is best not to interfere but enjoy them from a distance," she said.
If deer start damaging your shrubs, you can wrap them in burlap. Also, keep bird feeders out of reach!
One way to help deer is for dog owners to prevent their pets from chasing after them.
Being chased causes them to use the critical energy deer need to survive the harsh winter.
"Also, every year, many dogs are injured or even killed by deer defending themselves or their young fawns."
For more information on deer, go to WildsafeBC's website.
There are also tips for ethical wildlife photography.
