A hunter, or hunters, armed with a crossbow has targeted deer in urban areas of Greater Victoria during the last two fall seasons.

As deer rutting and hunting season get underway, Saanich police are putting out a call for eagle-eyed residents.

B次元官网网址淲e saw, over the past two years, a rash of incidents with regard to urban deer poaching and hunting. We would encourage everyone to keep an eye out; if they suspect some behaviour like that has happened, to really report it straight away,B次元官网网址� said Sgt. Dean Jantzen.

Some nine incidents occurred in fall 2010, where dead deer were found with arrow wounds, or with theirs heads or limbs cut off. There were also animals spotted walking around with arrows sticking out of their bodies. Another four arrow-related incidents were reported last fall.

Police say public safety is at risk due to at least one hunter firing a crossbow or bow and arrow in residential neighbourhoods.

B次元官网网址淲e know itB次元官网网址檚 happening out there and we expect that weB次元官网网址檒l likely see some incidents in Saanich,B次元官网网址� Jantzen said.

Things to look for include people dressed in head-to-toe camouflage gear or carrying unusual equipment or cases, particularly in urban areas.

kslavin@saanichnews.com