Description: These twig ends looked ragged or broken, rather
than cleanly clipped as by rabbits. Photo Credits: Dallas Virchow
Buck
rubs. Description: Can break tree leader branches and kill or deform
young trees. Photo Credits: Dallas Virchow
Reducing Deer Damage to Home Gardensand Landscape Plantings
22 Pages. 8.5x5.5 paperback
Authored by Paul D. Curtis et. al. experts in the management of deer damage.
Fencing--excluding deer with high or electrified fences;
Description: Polytape
electrified fencing for deer. Photo
by Dallas Virchow.
Fence
panels and nettings
can be used to exclude deer, elk and
pronghorn from stacked hay. Multiple stacks can be kept in "yards" by
similar perimeter fencing.
Protect tree growth by using Vexar and Tubex tree shelters, which are more expensive,
but also will be much more effective. See our vendors. Additional information can be found in the publications section below.
Change plantings: choose plants that are lower on a deer's
preference list. Visit Deer
Resistant Plants
Predator Urines--Coyote and other predator
urines may be sold as deer repellents. Buyer beware. Research with
these products is limited. (if you have research please let us know
svantassel2@unl.edu)
Non-Chemical Repellents--frighten deer by pyrotechnics,
exploders; or guard dogs.
Chemical repellents-- can be helpful in reducing damage.
However, they are rarely 100% effective and require reapplication.
Dominant Buck Urine: There is no evidence that urine from large, old, bucks will keep bucks away from trees so as to prevent their being scraped or fed upon. Deer are not very territorial. In fact, they are quite social. So spraying deer urine could actually encourage deer, particularly females, to visit your area.
Description: Most common formulations involve whole or
putrescent eggs, capsaicin (hot pepper), garlic, nicotine, or ammoniacal
soaps. Photo Credits: Dallas Virchow
Trapping
Trapping often used by researchers. Rarely used as a population
control method.
Clover Trap
Shooting
Shooting can be a very effective method in controlling deer
populations in rural and semi-rural areas.
Shooting--shotgun or rifle.
Traditional hunting season or "special season" using
volunteers who own proper permits.
Sharp shooter-usually paid
Bow Hunting--can be particularly useful in more urbanized areas
where firearms are inadvisable.
Toxicants--none available
Birth Control
Researchers are working on techniques to control deer populations
through contraceptive means. They remain expensive and often only
applicable in selective areas which are geographically isolated, such as
islands and fenced areas.
Deer have been implicated in carrying ticks that cause Lyme disease.
Deer cause millions of dollars of damage to motor vehicles every year, including human deaths.
Deer Strike Description: shows deer soon after collision with vehicle
Photo Credits: Kevin Clark
Rabies: although rare, deer have been known to contract the disease. One was found in Stamford, CT in the Summer of 2005. Source--Connecticut Wildlife
Sept/Oct. 2006. p. 17.
These links are comprised of pages dedicated to providing more information on the biology and control of deer. Before initiating any deer control measures be sure to check with appropriate federal and state agencies. Links to those agencies can be found in the navigation bar above.
Scientific Name:
Odocoileus virginianus "White-tailed Deer"
fencing. 
Univ. of Nebraska-Lincoln