*with revised repellent list
Paul D. Curtis, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Milo E. Richmond, New York Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
Deer Feeding Habits and Food Requirements | Behavior and Social Organization | The Prognosis | Reducing Deer Damage to Ornamental and Garden Plots | Selected References |
The past 30 years has been a period of major change in the relationship of man to the white–tailed deer. From the animal's point of view, they have made a remarkable recovery since the early 1900's, when there were perhaps no more than 500,000 deer over their entire range in the United States. While virtually extirpated in many areas early in this century, whitetail numbers now exceed 15 million across the country. Some states including New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Florida, Ohio and Illinois, have seen dramatic population increases, particularly during the past 10 years. Every state east of the Rocky Mountains has experienced a large increase in herd size.
From man's point of view we often applaud this story of wildlife population recovery. However, many homeowners increasingly view the situation with mixed feelings. The downside of increased deer numbers is that damage to ornamental plants, gardens, and commercial crops has increased greatly over the past two decades. Serious damage and economic losses have been associated with: (1) increasing deer abundance, (2) human population shifts to rural and suburban homes, (3) the natural conversion of abandoned farm land to deer habitat, (4) landowner decisions to prevent deer hunting, (5) restrictions on the use of firearms in suburban regions and (6) enforcement of leash laws. These changes have been gradual, and even with foresight, it is unlikely that any government agency or organized group could have foreseen and altered the course of events that has brought this beautiful, adaptable species into direct confrontation with man.