Deer Damage

[Kmbradley]

We live in the suburbs between MD and DC and have a deer problem. Now that we are currently under tons of snow, the deer are eating my pine trees - OK, they are destroying them. There is nothing (believe me, we have tried everything!!!!) to deter the deer. How can I save my trees? I am worried about them. There are probably 10 or so that we fear we will lose. I know people say fences work - we have seen them stand on the hind legs to reach the leaves. I have never seen anything like it. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Pruning tips, etc. We just want to save them - can't afford new trees!

thanks.

k

 

[indiansprings]

Shotgun and birdshot use 6's or 71/2's, after they get burnt a time or two they'll stay away, if the shooting noise is an issue, buy a high quality air rifle like RWS or Gamo, shoot them in the azz. Take up bowhunting, eliminate and eat the problem.

 

[Kmbradley]

Tried that too!! Although my husband and a few neighbors are looking into bow hunting. These animals are so braising. They are out all hours of the day. All the neighbors have dogs - seems like the deer are making friends with them. They have even been within a few feet of me, while I have been weeding. If you know any hunters in my area - let me know; just need to schedule something when the tree hugger "the deer were here first" neighbor isn't home! Before winter came - we counted as many as 40 deer in my 2 acre yard.

 

[Burvol]

Go online for an organic, spray on deterent. They usually contain (no kidding) cheyane pepper, beaten eggs (to stick), amonia, and even some call for human piss.

 

[Kmbradley]

Did that too. It works for a few days or until it rains. Believe me, I have tried everything "organic" first. Pee, Hair, Irish Spring Soap. The deer get used to it the smell after a few days.

 

[Burvol]

Did that too. It works for a few days or until it rains. Believe me, I have tried everything "organic" first. Pee, Hair, Irish Spring Soap. The deer get used to it the smell after a few days.

It's snowing and accumulating, obviously the deer are low on forage they can paw up. They need to eat something. I love to hunt deer; was probably my best sport in life until I really got serious about fishing and log cutting. Even though I like to hunt and eat them religously, I find great enjoyment in watching them just be deer. Your trees will be fine.

 

[Dale]

Well, her trees will be fine to a point. I planted 1500 pines about 5 years ago in hopes of getting a small pine grove started. Tons of work to do, and for my return, I fed my deer herd for a winter. We hunt, and we kill, and they keep coming back in prolific numbers. They are a very resourceful animal.

You didn't mention how high your trees are. You will have what is called a "browse line". In other words, the Deer will eat everything within reach, even on hind-legs, and in your woods and on your pines, you will find this very distinct line of nothing below that line that is worthy of a Deer's appetite growing below that level. Hunting is indeed the best method of control. Problem is though, local/community laws prevent it as a viable means in most cases.

 

[Kmbradley]

Thanks Dale. My husband is from Elizabethtown PA. And some of his friends come down to bow hunt. Luckily we live in an area where the county turns its head to hunting on private property - well, bow hunting anyway. As you said, it seems no matter how many are killed they keep multiplying in great numbers and are very resourceful.

 

[rob b]

This works good with my garden. Get an electric fencer used for cattle hang aluminum pie pans with peanut butter on them. After the deer lick it once they will not be back. it realy works!

 

[Dale]

Yeah Rob, she just has to make sure she doesn't live by a PETA member (People Eating Tasty Animals), or she may get a hassle.

By the way, if God didn't want us eating Deer, why did he make them out of meat ?

 

[Walt41]

I feel you pain, we have had the deer strip about 250 trees this winter

 

[Kmbradley]

Luckily, I only have 1 neighbor who is "the deer were here first and I don't mind sharing" person. The rest of us are trying to figure out how to keep the deer in her yard. Then there another neighbor who won't say anything if it is just bow hunting.

I do like the electric fence idea. We are not to far from Camp David, and I was recently talking to the owner of an orchard that backs to Camp David and she said that they do the peanut butter trick.

Thanks!

 

[Blazin]

Call in the Blazinator ....if the other suggestions don't work.

 

[rob b]

Had deer for dinner last night. It was tasty!

 

[tree md]

Can be very challenging to keep them from killing young Pines. Older trees will survive but when they are making browse lines they are doing harm to the ecosystem that can take decades to reverse. I have known several to try to keep them from killing young Pines with not much luck. I think the little fences one friend tried didn't even work. I have another friend who researched and totally landscaped his place with plants that the deer won't eat.

I have a friend who is a Lockheed contractor and Air Force consultant who is not to far from you. He owns a bow pro shop and has several contacts in the hunting community. I am sure he could organize an urban bow hunt to help you with your problem. I will be seeing him next week when we meet in TX for a bowhunt for wild hogs. I could mention it to him for you if you want. Just PM me if you are interested.

Here are some browse lines I snapped a picture of a couple of weeks ago. Notice how they have picked nearly every plant clean of leaves:

 

[isaaccarlson]

Chances are your area is the best souce of food

and that is why they keep coming back....If you keep them away they will starve. The best way is to shoot them and give them to your friends to eat. If I lived closer I would take them off your hands. You could always have a GTG and have a deer raffle.....

 

[Dale]

HAHA !!! Isaac. Those suburban Deer damage areas are a bowhunters dream. They all try to make inroads within the communities to get their butts up in a tree. The lure is usually the Trophy Buck that can put 4 1/2 years behind them, and get into that P&Y and even B&C status. Many community groups are leery of this hunter mentality of only wanting to harvest the large Buck, and passing on all others. That's why some here in PA make it mandatory to shoot at least 1 Doe before a Buck can be harvested.

 

[treeslayer]

proper deer management requires shooting lots of does.

 

[Blazin]

And a grill...

 

[Wishie22]

I was just watching a discovery channel episode on most dangerous animals in US to humans.

#1 was deer. Had three jump in front of the vehicles last year alone, all avoided but were within a couple feet. Thanks to peripheral view, gut feelings, and some good brakes. If you see one slow down since they usually more.

What many don't understand that if the population is not controlled mother nature will control the #'s. Starvation/famine are much worse for the animal to suffer through. Seen many carcases in the woods after a long bad winter with little nut production.

Maine has been going through mother nature controlling the population the past couple of years. With the high snow amounts the coyotes were using the logging roads to herd and trap them.