Deer Conflict Management and Coexistence

Coexisting with Deer from the Humane Society of the United States: 

Mating season (or “rut”) begins in November in the northern parts of their range and in January or February in the southern parts of their range. This rutting behavior, combined with the onset of hunting season, means deer are on the move, resulting in increased roadway crossings at this time of year.

Deer live in matrifocal family groups consisting of the doe and her female offspring from this and previous years. Bucks may aggregate at some times of the year in small groups, but during the mating season are more solitary. In places like Canada and the northern U.S. (which have long winters with high snow cover), deer may “yard up” temporarily in large groups to limit exposure to weather. A deer's home range is usually less than a square mile, sometimes considerably less for does living in suburbs.

Deer prefer “edge“ habitat, the boundary between forest and field, where abundant browse is accessible. Because suburban landscapes mimic this desired type of habitat, providing food, water, and safe bedding sites close together, it’s no wonder deer exist at high densities in suburbs.

DEER-VEHICLE COLLISIONS

It is estimated that each year there are roughly 1.8 million deer/vehicle collisions on U.S. roadways*. Many factors contribute to deer-vehicle collisions, such as traffic volume, driver speed and distraction, extent to which roads bisect habitat, development patterns, extent of visual barriers, and speed limit.

Fortunately, there are many humane and effective ways to reduce the number of collisions involving deer, ranging from increasing individual awareness and caution to implementing new technology and structures. For more information from HSUS on how to avoid vehicular collisions with deer, click here.  

*Data provided by World Animal Foundation.

SOLUTIONS

Some of the best collision-reducing efforts focus on public education of both current and new drivers. It is important to remember the following points:
  •  Be vigilant.
  • Watch from side to side as you drive, especially in areas of low visibility or where shrubs or grasses are near the road.
  • Watch for group behavior. Deer often travel in groups. If one deer crosses the road, slow down and watch for more to follow. Females travel together in winter, and fawns follow their mothers. 
  •  Be especially watchful at dusk and dawn, when deer tend to be more active. 
  •  Use your high beams at night and turn down interior lights to see farther ahead.
  • Slow down and watch for the eye-shine of deer near road edges. 
  •  Try to drive straight, avoiding swerving around wildlife; rather, try to brake firmly and blow your horn. Animals are easily confused. If you swerve, deer may run into the vehicle rather than away from it. And swerving could mean driving into another vehicle or off the road into poles or fences.
  •  Slow Down! Speeds below 45 mph result in fewer accidents with deer.
Additional/similar deer info from Born Free USA:

SAFE DRIVING

Increased development with more roads cutting through deer habitat, and people driving at faster speeds, have contributed to the frequency of collisions between cars and wildlife. Tips to avoid hitting a deer —
  • Always watch for wildlife, especially at dawn, dusk, and the first few hours of darkness. 
  •  Be especially cautious in mid- to late-fall.
  • Glance continually from the road to the roadside, looking for movement where roads are bordered by fields or natural habitat.
  • Heed warning signs and reduce speed in places deer are most likely to cross the road.
  • If you see one deer cross, expect others.
  • At night, watch for reflection from headlights in the eyes of deer at the roadside.
 
Here's some more info on planting(PDF, 1MB) from Born Free USA:

LANDSCAPE CHANGES

  • Landscaping can be altered to reduce the level of deer browsing. The selection and placement of plants has a significant impact on the extent of damage. Some plants attract deer, while others actually repel them.
  • Grass and underbrush should be kept trimmed and fallen fruits removed promptly. Protect susceptible plants by surrounding them with repellent ones.
  • Repellent plants — Catnip, Chives, Garlic, Honeybush, Lavender, Onion, Sage, Spearmint, Thyme, and Yarrow.
  • Resistant trees, shrubs, and vines — Bottle brush, Daphne, Douglas fir, Spindle, Hackberry, Holly, Jasmine, Juniper, Maple, Oleander, Limber pine, Pinon pine, Pomegranate, Rhododendron, Wild lilac, Rockrose, Santolina, and Blue spruce.
  • Resistant flowers and groundcover — Black- eyed Susan, Chrysanthemum, Daffodil, Foxglove, Hyacinth, Iceland poppy, Iris, Lavender, Lily of the Nile, Oriental poppy, Snowflake, and Zinnia.

• Native plants are probably more tolerant of browsing.

• Because deer feeding preferences vary widely by region of the country, check with a local nursery or university extension service when making landscaping decisions.

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