FOR-57 MANAGING WHITE-TAILED DEER PROBLEMS IN = KENTUCKY

From: Subject: FOR-57 MANAGING WHITE-TAILED DEER PROBLEMS IN KENTUCKY Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2010 14:29:25 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/for/for57/for57.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5931 FOR-57 MANAGING WHITE-TAILED DEER PROBLEMS IN = KENTUCKY FOR-57
MANAGING WHITE-TAILED DEER PROBLEMS IN KENTUCKY=20
ISSUED: 10-93
REVISED:
Thomas G. Barnes
Extension = Wildlife=20 Specialist=20

Deer are a valuable natural = resource in=20 Kentucky, providing many hours of enjoyment for the public. The = white-tailed=20 deer (Odocoileus virginianus) is the most sought after big game = animal in=20 North America. Whitetails were abundant in our country when European = settlers=20 first arrived. By 1900, however, uncontrolled hunting had reduced the = U.S.=20 white-tailed deer population to around 300,000. The deer population has = since=20 rebounded as a result of strict hunting laws, intensive reestablishment = and=20 restoration efforts, and changing habitat to favor deer. Today, it is = hard to=20 imagine white-tailed deer populations not being abundant.
In fact, in many circumstances, we have too many = deer in the=20 wrong place at the wrong time. Occasionally, the approximately 450,000 = deer in=20 Kentucky may cause unacceptable economic losses to farmers and orchard = owners.=20 High deer populations in rural areas may result in damage to orchard = trees,=20 soybean or corn fields, and vegetable crops. Deer may also hamper forest = regeneration and interfere with small-scale Christmas tree production. = High deer=20 populations also contribute to the many deer/vehicle collisions on our = highways.=20 In our urban and suburban areas, high deer populations may result in = damage to=20 ornamental trees, gardens, and parks or greenways.
While most of us enjoy seeing deer, sometimes it is = necessary=20 to manage the herd in an effort to reduce the damage they can cause. = Unlike=20 chipmunks, moles, starlings, pigeons, or other nuisance wildlife, deer = cannot be=20 casually eliminated when they come into conflict with a landowner's = intended=20 land use. Thus, deer damage management becomes a social and political = problem as=20 well as a biological and logistical problem.=20

Animal Facts and Biology
The easily=20 recognized white-tailed deer is the only native ungulate (hoofed mammal) = remaining in Kentucky. Most people are familiar with the reddish brown = summer=20 coat and grayish brown fall and winter coat of the adult whitetail. = Likewise,=20 most people are familiar with the rust-colored fawn that is dotted with = white=20 spots. By three to four months of age, the fawn replaces this coat with = a=20 fall/winter coat. The underparts of the tail, belly, chin, and throat = are white.=20
It is easy to tell the = difference=20 between male and female whitetails because bucks grow antlers from April = through=20 August. The growing antlers are nourished by a soft exterior tissue = called=20 "velvet." Once the antlers have reached their maximum size, the dried = velvet is=20 rubbed off and the antlers are polished during the fall breeding season. = Antler=20 size depends on the deer's age, genetics, and nutrition. White-tailed = deer lack=20 upper incisors which results in a distinctive feeding pattern that looks = like=20 the plant was torn. Rabbits and rodents, on the other hand, make a = sharp, clean,=20 knife-like cut on plants.
Whitetails=20 breed from October through January. Peak breeding activity in Kentucky = usually=20 occurs in mid-November. Females cycle every 28 days and will remain in = heat for=20 24 hours. One buck may mate with a number of does and no pair bonds are = formed.=20 Most deer breed their second fall, although about 40% of fawns may breed = the=20 first fall. After a gestation period of about 200 days, adult does will=20 typically bear twins in June. Fawns will usually bear a single fawn. The = reproductive potential of white-tailed deer is greatly influenced by the = amount=20 and quality of food present the preceding year. Once the fawns are born, = they=20 gain weight quickly and reach an adult weight that varies from 180 to = 250 lbs.=20
Deer are browsing animals = and over 650=20 different plant items have been identified in their diets. Broadleaved = "weeds"=20 or forbs are preferred food items and are eaten whenever available in = the spring=20 and summer. Most of the time deer eat the leaves, stems, and buds of = woody=20 plants because they are available year round. During the fall, acorns,=20 beechnuts, hickory nuts, persimmon fruits, and other nuts or berries are = favorite food items.
Deer = can be=20 selective feeders eating only certain plants or plant parts. However, = when too=20 many deer live in an area they will consume almost every piece of = vegetation=20 within reach to survive. Grasses are relatively unimportant in a deer's = diet,=20 although they will eat agricultural grain crops and fruit trees if these = are=20 available. The soybean plant is a highly preferred food for white-tailed = deer.=20 They also relish other agricultural crops such as corn, grain sorghum, = milo, and=20 alfalfa.
Deer are most = active early in=20 the morning and late in the evening. In most areas of Kentucky, deer = will roam=20 about 640 acres. In the mountainous east, the home range size may be as = large as=20 1,000 acres or more. Under conditions of suitable habitat, an area of = 1,000=20 acres may support 40 or more deer; however, the deer will travel on and = off that=20 amount of land at different times of the year looking for the best food = and=20 cover available.
Deer are = habitat=20 generalists and prefer the forest edge over dense, old-growth forests. = They do=20 exceptionally well in most parts of Kentucky because agricultural lands = are=20 mixed with timbered stream drainages and woodlots or small forested = tracts. They=20 favor brushy areas because these areas provide large amounts of cover = and food.=20

Preventing and Controlling Deer Damage
There are no easy answers, quick fixes, or = inexpensive control=20 methods for managing deer damage problems. Each situation is different = and=20 requires a different solution. Often, a combination of techniques may = produce=20 the best results. In one Oregon study, the best protection for = large-scale=20 conifer production was to use a chemical repellent in combination with = plastic=20 flagging. Like many agricultural ventures, deer damage management must = be viewed=20 as a long-term commitment and possible investment. For consistent = control, a=20 five- to ten-year damage management program is advisable.
Urban control methods differ drastically from rural = control=20 methods because deer cannot be harvested by the general public in urban = areas.=20 In addition, urban homeowners have smaller acreages and neighbors may = not=20 tolerate unsightly fences. One way to reduce deer damage to ornamental = trees is=20 to select plants that deer do not like to eat. For more information on = which=20 plants are unpalatable to deer contact the Cornell Cooperative Extension = Service, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, and ask for a copy of the = fact=20 sheet "Resistance of Woody Ornamental Plants to Deer Damage." =
Deer that live in urban parks and = greenways present=20 a difficult social and political problem that will not be discussed in = this=20 publication. Contact the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife = Resources for=20 assistance with these problems. Information on managing deer problems in = Christmas tree plantations is available from the Kentucky Cooperative = Extension=20 Service. Ask your county Extension agent for publication=20 number FOR-27, "Pest Control: Animals."=20

Harvesting Schemes
Significant deer=20 damage usually means the area has too many deer. The proper time to take = care of=20 this problem is during the fall hunting season before the next = growing=20 season. Even if you get a permit to destroy problem deer during the = summer,=20 doing so will not help that year's soybean crop because yield-reducing = damage=20 occurs in the first 7 weeks of plant growth.
You should be aware that any agricultural field of = soybeans,=20 corn, or alfalfa that is smaller than 15 acres and located next to = wooded or=20 brushy habitats is just like a food plot to attract deer. In these cases = entire=20 fields can be destroyed. Deer present less of a problem in large soybean = fields.=20 Most damage is concentrated within 30 feet of field edges, and less than = 2% of=20 the plants will be damaged to the point where their yield will be = reduced.=20 Soybeans can withstand a removal of up to two-thirds of their leaves = without=20 affecting bean production. In some cases when the plants are less than = 3-weeks=20 old, deer browsing actually increases yield. If you can protect your = soybeans=20 until they are 4- to 7-weeks old, you will substantially reduce any = potential=20 yield losses.
Landowners = should consider=20 the following options for reducing or preventing deer damage to their = crops:=20 (1) obtain a permit from the Kentucky Department of Fish and = Wildlife=20 Resources Conservation Officer or District Wildlife Biologist to harvest = antlerless deer; (2) plant a crop that is not palatable to deer;=20 (3) plant the soybean crop early in spring so if the beans are = browsed=20 they will have time to recover (late-seeded beans may have reduced = yields=20 because they have not had time to recover from browsing); (4) = plant a=20 variety of soybeans that may have some resistance to deer browsing; = (5)=20 erect a temporary or permanent electric fence; or (6) use a = chemical=20 repellent to deter the animals.
A permit=20 may allow you to harvest deer at times other than during the legal = hunting=20 season. Another permit may allow you to harvest extra does during the = legal=20 hunting season. When using special permits, contact local hunters in the = community and assist their help. Many eager hunters would gladly harvest = the=20 extra deer and possibly pay for that privilege during the hunting = season.=20 Information on lease hunting is available from your county Extension = office.=20 This method helps you solve your damage problem, provides extra farm = income, and=20 creates good landowner-hunter relationships. The most effective, = long-term,=20 and practical solution to managing large-scale deer problems is fall=20 hunting.=20

Frightening Devices
You = can use a=20 propane exploder to discourage deer from using the fields before you = construct=20 fencing. Propane cannons can be set to detonate at regular, timed = intervals. It=20 is important to set the cannons out when the plants appear above ground = and=20 continue for 4 to 7 weeks. Move the cannons every few days and alter the = time=20 when they detonate to prevent deer from becoming accustomed to the = sound.=20
You can also use a = shellcracker to=20 frighten deer away from crops. Shellcrackers are special 12-gauge = shotgun shells=20 that use a firecracker in place of lead or steel shot. When you fire = these=20 shells, they travel 75 to 150 yards and explode in the air with a loud = bang.=20 Remember: Frightening devices will only temporarily alleviate the = problem=20 until you decide on a more permanent solution.=20

Fencing
If hunting is not = a viable=20 option, fencing is the other valuable tool that will keep deer away from = cropland. Fencing can provide consistent and effective deer damage = control.=20 Historically, farmers used the 8-foot woven wire=20 fence (figure 2) to = control=20 deer damage. This is an extremely expensive option and may be too costly = for=20 most agricultural use. It still remains a viable option under the right=20 circumstances. One easy way to create a mesh wire fence is to join two = 4-ft x=20 8-ft hog panels together supported by a 12-foot post. This fence can be = slanted=20 at a 45-degree angle (figure = 3). The=20 high end of the fence should be 6 feet from the ground and slanted so = deer can=20 walk under the fence without being able to jump over it.
An excellent alternative is to use low-cost electric = fence=20 designs. Current prices for these fences vary from 10 to 25 cents per = running=20 foot based on design and materials used. The most expensive component = will be=20 the charger. Electric fences act as a barrier and are based on the idea = that=20 deer have a tendency to go through an obstacle even though they could = easily=20 jump over or crawl under it. Upon contact with the fence, the deer = receives a=20 shock and is deterred.
While = it may=20 appear the initial cost of constructing an electric fence is high, when = you=20 prorate the cost over a number of years, it can pay for itself in = increased=20 yields. Electric fences can be either permanent or temporary. Be aware = electric=20 fences require more maintenance and are not effective when not = electrified.=20 These fences must be inspected regularly and the vegetation must be = controlled=20 to prevent grounding of the charged wires. In addition, the following = guidelines=20 will increase the effectiveness of electric fences:
=95Build the fence before deer damage begins. It is = easier to=20 prevent a feeding pattern than it is to break one.
=95Attach additional strands to the fence if deer = pressure=20 justifies the cost.
=95Use a = voltmeter to=20 ensure the charge is a minimum of 3,000 volts.
=95Use a New Zealand style energizer to supply high = voltage while=20 resisting grounding by vegetation.
=95Control all vegetation under the fence. =
=95Do not place the fence directly adjacent to old = woven wire=20 fences, woody fence rows, or brushy cover that deer might normally have = to jump=20 over.
=95Clear a 6- to = 8-foot open strip=20 outside the perimeter of the fence.=20

Temporary Electric Fence Designs
These fences are relatively inexpensive to construct = because=20 they do not have rigid corner assemblies and can be made of whatever = materials=20 are around the farm. These are low-profile fences and usually have 1 or = 2=20 strands of wire. Fence lines are strung with 50 lbs of tension. If = possible, use=20 2 x 2 insul timbers (self-insulating posts made of eucalyptus wood) as = corner=20 posts to reduce the cost and increase the effectiveness of these fences. =
The peanut butter baited = fence design is=20 made of a single 17-gauge smooth wire strung 30 inches above the ground = (figure = 4). The=20 wire is connected to insulators attached to 4-foot stakes. The stakes = are placed=20 at 50-foot intervals. Attach 3-inch x 4-inch strips of aluminum foil = with cloth=20 adhesive tape at 3-foot intervals. Apply a 1:1 mixture of peanut=20 butter:vegetable oil to the tape strips. Connect the single wire to the = positive=20 post of the energizer. The idea is to attract deer to sniff the wire = with its=20 muzzle and receive a shock that acts as a deterrent.
Another design is to use bright yellow or orange = electric=20 polytape (figure=20 5). Polytape is a 1/2-inch wide plastic strip that contains 5 = interwoven=20 thin wires. This design can be made more effective by coating the tape = with=20 peanut butter. The polytape should be strung 36 inches above the ground. = Use a=20 fiberglass "T" post at each corner and secure the tape to these posts = using a=20 square knot or half hitch. Set 4-foot fiberglass rods along the fence at = 60-foot=20 intervals. Attach the polytape to insulators on the rods and connect it = to the=20 positive post on the charger.=20

Permanent High-Tensile Electric Fence Designs
These electric fence designs should be used with = pressure-=20 treated posts that have a life-expectancy of 35 to 40 years. = High-tensile=20 electric fences are useful in protecting orchards, vegetable crops, = nurseries,=20 and other high dollar crops. These fences are powered by high = voltage, low=20 impedance chargers (New Zealand style) capable of charging 5,000 = feet of=20 fence with reduced susceptibility of grounding by vegetation. These = fences use=20 high-tensile smooth wire (200,000 psi, 12 1/2 gauge) and special=20 accessories help to maintain a 150 to 250-lb tension so the fence = can=20 absorb the impact of running deer and spring back to its original = position.=20
These components eliminate = many of the=20 problems associated with traditional electric fence designs, including:=20
=95The wire absorbs the = impact without=20 stretching or breaking.
=95A = single wire=20 is used to determine proper wire tension.
=95Inline wire strainers are used to tighten the wire.=20
=95Crimping sleeves are used = to splice=20 wire or fasten the ends.
=95Tube=20 insulators insulate the wire from line posts, provide strength, and = allow the=20 wire to slip through during impact.
=95Wrap-around insulators fasten the wires at the ends = and allow=20 for continuous wire stringing outside the posts at the corners.=20

The 6-wire vertical = high-tensile electric=20 fence design is a modification of the Penn State 5-wire design (figure = 6). The=20 lowest wire should be 8 inches above the ground and the remaining wires = are=20 spaced at 10-inch intervals. The bottom wire is "hot" and the remaining = wires=20 are alternating ground and hot. Rigid corner assemblies (figure) must be = installed. Fiberglass battens are placed at 30-foot intervals along the = fence to=20 maintain wire spacing. Eight-foot line posts are placed every 60 feet = for=20 structural support. For specific instructions on how to assemble this = fence,=20 contact the West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service, West Virginia=20 University, Morgantown, WV 26506. Ask for publication number 814, "Deer = and=20 Agriculture in West Virginia: 6-Wire Vertical High-Tensile Electric = Anti-Deer=20 Fence."
A modification of = this design is=20 the 7-wire slanted fence. The wires are spaced 12 inches apart; the = bottom wire=20 is located 10 inches from the ground. The wires are strung along a = 7-foot rail=20 slanted up and away from the crop (figure = 7). Set=20 angle braces at 30-foot intervals. Apply 150 lbs of tension to the = wires. All=20 seven wires should be connected to the positive post on the charger and = the=20 second, fourth, and sixth wires are connected to the ground.=20

Other Exclusion Devices for Orchard, Ornamental, or Nursery Trees =
Homeowners and small orchard owners may = decide to=20 protect individual high value trees using a plastic tree guard tube or = mesh=20 netting (plastic or 1/2-inch hardware cloth). Each tree is covered or = enclosed=20 by a device designed to prevent deer from browsing on the young = seedlings (figure = 8).=20
Sometimes deer damage = valuable orchard=20 or ornamental trees by rubbing their antlers against the tree trunk to = scrape=20 off the velvet. The Europeans have cleverly designed a physical = deterrent to=20 prevent deer from rubbing antlers on tree trunks. The structure is made = from a=20 3- to 4-foot length of steel rebar. Weld numerous 12- to 18-inch pieces = of rebar=20 in a spiral arrangement to the original rod (figure = 9).=20 Drive the completed structure into the ground next to the trunk of a = small tree.=20 The cross pieces discourage deer from rubbing their antlers on the tree = trunks.=20

Chemical Repellents
A = repellent is a=20 distasteful or foul-smelling chemical that an animal avoids. There are = two types=20 of repellents: area and contact. Area repellents are applied next to = plants and=20 repel by smell. Contact repellents are applied directly to the plant and = repel=20 because the animal dislikes their taste. The effectiveness of repellents = depends=20 on a number of factors including the deer's appetite, weather = conditions, and=20 thoroughness of application. Many repellents do not weather well and = must be=20 reapplied after a heavy dew or rain, or on new plant growth, to be = effective.=20 The amount of preferred food available also influences a repellent's=20 effectiveness. If the deer population is high and under food stress, = repellents=20 will be less effective. Not every repellent will be effective in every=20 situation.
The success of a = repellent is=20 measured by how much damage it reduces. The effectiveness of different=20 repellents has been shown to vary from a 15% to 80% reduction in damage. = You=20 must decide if this amount is acceptable. Commercial repellents are more = effective than home remedies such as human hair, soap, feces, or animal = remains.=20 These home remedies have been concocted in hopes of keeping deer out of = crops,=20 but they realistically offer little relief from the problem.
Always follow the manufacturer's = directions and=20 label instructions before applying a chemical repellent. Never apply = repellents=20 to any portion of a plant likely to be eaten by humans unless the label = permits=20 it.=20

Contact or Taste Repellents
Repellents containing 37% putrescent whole egg = solids as an=20 active ingredient are available as sprays or ready-to-apply powders. = They are=20 used on fruit trees prior to flowering and ornamental trees during the = dormant=20 season. These repellents should be applied to new growth and are claimed = to be=20 effective for two to six months.
Thiram=20 is a fungicide that acts as a taste repellent. The amount of active = ingredient=20 varies from 5% to 42% depending on brand name. Thiram is used on dormant = trees=20 and shrubs, including fruit and nut trees, nursery stock, seedlings, and = conifers. It can be sprayed or brushed on trees. You can make your own=20 thiram-based repellent by combining 2 quarts of 42% thiram, 1 gallon = water, and=20 2 quarts Rhoplex AC-33 as a sticking agent.
There is a chemical repellent registered for use on = edible=20 crops. The active ingredient is 15% ammonium soaps of higher fatty = acids. It can=20 be applied as a spray to fruit trees, vegetables, field crops, = ornamentals,=20 nursery stock, and forage or grain crops. In large agricultural fields, = apply=20 the repellent over an 8- to 15-foot strip around the perimeter of the = field. You=20 will have to reapply after a rain and every 2 to 4 weeks after initial=20 application.
There are other = commercially available repellents including those with an active = ingredient of=20 97.5% bone tar oil, 2.5% capsaicin, and benzyldiethyl ammonium. Several = research=20 studies have shown these chemicals reduced damage by less than 35%. = Before you=20 decide to use repellents, conduct a cost/benefit analysis of all = possible=20 solutions. If you are having repeated heavy deer damage problems, it may = be more=20 cost effective to build a fence than to continually apply repellents.=20
Deer damage complaints and = conflicts=20 will likely continue as long as we have healthy deer populations. = Perhaps the=20 best way for a grower to co-exist with deer is to consider the benefits = of the=20 deer resource and treat deer as another crop (economic assest) of the = land. By=20 allowing regulated hunting you provide people with access to a public = resource=20 while at the same time reducing deer damage problems and reaping = economic=20 rewards. Contact your county agent for more information on lease = hunting.=20