“Deerly” Devoted:

Across the US, experts advise on Winter Deer Damage

BLAKESLEE, PA – “Don’t feed the deer.”

It’s hard to hear, isn’t it?  With their gentle demeanor, deer can create a pastoral setting in our yards as they meander through and nibble.  As winter bears its teeth, temptation increases to feed these gentle creatures. But homeowners invite a wealth of problems by attracting these animals close to communities:  two of the greatest being the risk to motorists and damage to landscaping, not to mention the ever-present risk of tick-carrying Lyme Disease.

Winter deer damage has many facets.

Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organizations around the country face difficulties this time of year as the incidence of injured animals increase, as well as complaints about increased presence of herds in neighborhoods.  What draws them?

Food.

This takes two forms: your ornamental shrubs or the treat your neighbor left out for Bambi and friends last night.  But the latter, an often- goodhearted kindness, is a recipe for disaster.

Automobiles collide with more than 1 million deer annually, mostly during the fall mating season. Each accident causes (on average) about $3,100 in damage to vehicles, according to insurer State Farm. Stated in their Annual Deer Collision Report, the incidence of accidents is up 7.7 percent in the last year.  Currently, the highest risk states are West Virginia, South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan and Pennsylvania.  By luring the animals into populated areas, the risk increases exponentially.

Different areas of the United States have similar problems – and similar suggested solutions.  The biggest challenge for wildlife rescue organizations and government agencies is preventing the problem before it starts – and that requires changing the behavior in humans.

“We look at it as a people problem, and not an animal problem.  Wild animals will be somewhat opportunistic feeders.  If someone is offering them a free meal, they can’t say no,” said Lynn Cuny, founder and president of Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation in San Antonio, Tx.

Deer don’t know the difference between the snacks you generously put out for them, and what they perceive as a natural treat – like your expensive landscaped bushes.

“Deer graze.  They don’t discern between plants that cost $1.99, and ornamental shrubs that cost $1,000.  A meal is a meal,” said Edward Abraham, President and CEO of The Liquid Fence Company. Manufacturing and selling natural deer repellent for over 15 years, Abraham’s company is a testimony to a continually growing deer problem. “Deer are not a new problem, but the problem is bigger than ever. Sales of our Deer & Rabbit Repellent have grown year after year. With a combination of education and repellent, the problem isn’t insurmountable.  People just don’t know there are options.  The most important thing is prevention,” Abraham added.

Prevention starts with humans.

Feeding the deer is not only dangerous, but completely unnecessary, according to Iowa’s State Deer Biologist, Tom Litchfield.  “They don’t need it.  [In Iowa] we have a healthy whitetail population.  They have more than enough [to eat in the wild].”  Litchfield noted initiatives have been developed to lower their population since 2006.  “We have turned back the clock almost three decades,” he said, adding that the current herd numbers range between 1985 and 1995 rates.

Iowa has also worked to discourage feeding through legislation.  “Twice in the last five years, we have prohibited feeding of wildlife less than 50 yards from an occupied residence.  That is primarily targeted at the deer,” he said.

Though fences offer a solution, Kathy Uhler, Director of the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Pennsylvania, notes that they aren’t an easy option.  “Fences are expensive, unsightly and need to be at least 8 feet high to keep the deer out.  Plus, you can’t see your beautiful roses!” Uhler suggests looking to your lawn and garden center for options.  “Lots of products, including Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent, work on odor.  Deer live by their big, wet noses.  Their noses are better than ours.  By creating a situation that is uncomfortable for them with tastes and smells they don’t like, it conditions them not to come back.”

For the Wildlife Rescue Center of Napa Valley, California, Autumn through Spring present a difficult period as people feed the deer, perceiving they need help.  Angela Zierenberg, the mammal rehabilitator for the Center, acknowledges concerns that by luring deer into populated areas, a number of risks befall them.  “They can get hit by a car or attacked by dogs.  Maybe you enjoy feeding them, but your neighbor may not be as nice,” she said.  “You’re also feeding them the wrong foods.  People feed them carrots and lettuce which are foods they don’t find naturally in the wild.  They need to eat foods natural to them.”

Zierenberg always discourages any kind of feeding of wildlife.  “You are habituating them.  But once that food source is taken away, that animal can starve to death.”  Urging that you think first about the safety and well-being of your wild friends, she added: “We understand you love them, and you want to see them up close.  It just doesn’t serve the animal. “

The Liquid Fence Company offers an eco-conscious line of insect and animal repellents, including its flagship product, Liquid Fence Deer & Rabbit Repellent, which is the number one product of its kind in America.  Through continuous research and dedication to consumer safety, they are expanding to even more areas of safe and effective repellent products.  To learn more, visit www.liquidfence.com.

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