They've used birth control on Shelter Island, a short distance from us, with great success.
When the deer appear in daytime it seems they are more threatening, especially to children. The kids who saw the herd were waiting for the school bus so that was 8:30 in the morning. Very scary.
deer and lilies
When I see them on my street, it is always dusk or just after. I don't remember seeing them around my house or nearby in full daylight. It is just not woodsy enough, and there is not a large source of water.
I just cannot imagine that parents are not in an uproar.
I agree. I'd be marching on Town Hall with other parents.
With deer ticks becoming a bigger and bigger health problem you would think that our state and local governments would try to protect us. Where I live there is a protected area that has been overgrazed by deer and of course the ticks are everywhere. When it was decided that bow and arrow hunting would be allowed a group of people protested. Luckily the hunting still occurred. I don't understand why there were protestors. Do they think that it would be good to have the overgrazing get worse to the point that native vegetation disappears and the deer starve?
I've lived here for 30 years and deer ticks have only been a problem for the last 5-6 years. I gotten bit at least once a year. I agree with Pirl, it's time we complain loud and clear to our representatives about deer overpopulation and control. Aren't human lives worth something??
After an initial assault by deer on my lilies last Spring , I sprayed the plants and all around the beds with a homemade concoction which contained red hot sauce. I also sprayed a web fence around my vegetable garden. I did not find any evidence of more damage the entire year although they still pass through the yard frequently. The spray works because of a combination of taste and smell which the deer find repulsive. or, maybe they spotted my archery target in the backyard. lol
What's your recipe?
Helen, I don't remember! No, actually I took my recipe from several I saw at various sites on the internet and pretty much just started throwing things together. As I recall I put in 2 eggs, a glass of milk,lots of the hottest sauce I could find, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and a tablespoon of liquid detergent. The eggs and detergent give it some body to help it cling to vegetation. I mixed it in a gallon sprayer and filled it up with water. One recipe suggested letting it sit outside for a day or so to allow the milk to ferment. And it certainly did ! We had a very hot Summer last year lol I couldn't detect much odor around the plants but after many scrubbings I ended up throwing the sprayer away. I always suggest to friends that they only mix up what they will use at a time and not leave any in the sprayer. This year I will try it without the milk or maybe not let it sit as long. I just hope it works as well this year.
They round up mustangs in the west "for the health of the animals" Why cant they increase the deer kill in hunting season. I say let hunters take 30 each.
Bambie doesnt give me a warm fuzzy feeling.
Me neither. I'd rather check up on venison recipes.
GE you've hit the nail on the head! Mustangs aren't a disease vector, but deer sure are thanks to the deer tick. I've been bitten every year for the last 5-6 years by those rotten ticks. They should start with suburbia clean it out, harvest the meat and then let the hunters hunt. How would the deer be put down in suburbia so that the meat would still be useful? It's time to remind our politicians just who they work for. Yes, I'm ranting. Feels good.
ahhmen
There was a big meeting on the issue here and the "be kind to animals" group won again. Despite tales of people being bitten, kids threatened and a dead dog (ours), the politicians always have to think it over at the expense of the voters. No matter which party is in power, not a thing has ever been done.
Were there more "be kind to animals" people there than our side? If only there was some way to attract the deer to the politician's yards. If one state started to control the deer population I believe that it would start a domino affect with the rest of the states . We should get more organized and produce huge turnouts at these meetings.
They seem to hold the power to demand studies before the town can do anything.
Our city doesn't allow hunting. Even in the designated urban hunting areas a few miles from here there are so many "be kind to animal" land owners who don't allow hunting, that any attempt to reduce the deer herd is futile. The first wave of hunters on the allowable lands simply push the deer into "sanctuaries" where they stay until hunting season is over. Last week I was driving on the freeway about two miles from my house. I glanced into a small wooded area surrounded by houses. I couldn't count but there were at least 30 deer in this tiny area. The most I had seen at one time prior to this was 5 or 6. They must have spread the word about someone's tasty shrubs.(I hate gossipy deer!) lol Assuming each adult doe will likely have twin fawns this Spring,our problem will only get worse. I was lucky last year and didn't have much damage in the garden but every year brings something new and different and usually worse.
It's true. We started out with 5 and now they number 17. This area may be shrub free during my lifetime.
There must be something that they could use in urban areas. I just googled stun guns and they have already been used on deer. Imagine the outcry that would cause amongst those that don't understand overpopulation and its consequences. How about deer netting in areas like the one that psudan noticed all the deer in. Check it twice a day so the deer do not "suffer". Then butcher them up and selling the meat should pay for the expense of the hunt. Imagine how those deer have fattened up so nicely on our flowers and other plants. During my googling I came across a funny story. http://www.snopes.com/critters/farce/ropedeer.asp
Well written and very funny article, Helen, except for the bloody parts. We warn the local kids to walk away if they see any deer coming to close to their property.
Loved that article ~ hysterical! Have you ever considered a sling-shot? A little stinger in the butt might encourage them to move along. Probably not any more legal than a gun but at least it's silent.
Helen, you are now on PETA's enemy list. LOL I have read numerous articles over the years regarding deer management plans in different areas of the country. I recently read one about Howard County, Maryland. They claim that deer are such high-strung animals, that during trapping, tranquilizing and transfer the mortality rate is 15-25% due to stress. They also claim the mortality rate of deer moved to new areas is as high as 85% within 12 months. The cost of moving deer is said to be as much as $900 dollars per deer. I believe the biggest reason more isn't done is the public outcry of the animal lovers. Bow hunting is the preferred method of hunting in some of the more urban areas that allow hunting. The down side is even with a perfectly placed arrow, a deer will still travel 100 yards or more. It would be about my luck to hit a deer and have it expire in someone's flower garden or a child's sandbox. Unless something is done in our area the deer's only predator will continue to be the automobile. Dan
Great sentiments Dan. I had no idea about mortality. We tried a Bow hunt here in one of our parks that has a main highway going thru it. The bambi lovers tried to stop it and when the furor died down the DEC came in and bowed as many as they beemed necessary.
Its really dangerous to drive with cocaine users behind the wheel plus drunks.
The deer just add to the mix.
I ventured over the soft snow to look at a place in the garden where deer had dug the snow away. I have a water basin in the area and thought thats what they were after. NO they ate all the leaves off my Heuchera Caramel. I hope it comes back.
I am waiting for the snow to melt off the gardens at least so I can start spray ing Liquid Fence. Its a month early but the deer movement habits need to change.
My state is trying to keep residents and deer happy:
See http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/urbandeer07.pdf
You don't need to read the 40 pages. Page 19 is about deer reduction, and other communities might have the same options.
Our deer are not the least bit shy any more.
Dan I always thought that PETA stood for People Eating Tasty Animals. Just joking. I know nothing about archery, but it's too bad deer can't be put down quickly. When deer lovers see one writhing as it dies it tightly unites them in their cause. Wouldn't cross bows do a better job in this situation? Why were they banned for hunting as it seems like they'd do a better job?
Cathy how successful do you believe this management program has been? The only problem that CT's program doesn't seem to address are the deer that live in suburbia.
Helen, if it's true that PETA stands for "People Eating Tasty Animals", you can sign me up right now! Yesterday we had venison swiss steak and last week it was venison steaks and onions, simmered in mushroom gravy. Oh, the thought of it! Actually, a compound bow or a traditional bow, in the hands of an accomplished hunter is every bit as effective as a crossbow. A crossbow is cocked and ready to be shot while the other bows have to be drawn and held at full draw. The crossbow definitely shortens the learning curve. However, in either case the issue is all about the shot placement of the arrow. Either bow is just as effective but the deer will still run some distance after the hit. I once went three years without eating any red meat other than venison and when I see these deer walking through the yard I have "evil" thoughts. LOL
Arent the PETA people the ones who ran an expensive campaign to get everyone to stop drinking milk?
Their position was it harms cows to milk them. How stupid can you get?
Just points out "city rick kids with big college degrees" dont know jack about the animals they are trying to save. LOL I am a farmers grand daughter. That was a huge laugh for those of us who know whats really up with cows.
Helen, if it were REALLY successful, I would not see deer on my street! And I live in a moderate traffic, populated area. However there is a cemetery with no monuments a half block away, and they seem to find solace as well as protection.
I don't mind that they are in the cemetery, but I do mind if they are on my deck. When driving home at dusk, I am always concerned they I will see them crossing the road in their favorite path.
You guys ought to do like Arkies do. There are more poachers running around these hills than legal hunters.LOL Unfortunately these people are really poor and need the meat.
I read somewhere here at DG to grow garlic in all my flower beds. It seems to work pretty good. I've only lost one daylilly to deer. My dogs keep the rabbits at bay.
Vickie
great idea, I'm a suburbs gal. Bow hunters only.
This message was edited Mar 4, 2011 4:42 AM
Vickie, I like the garlic idea. I'll try it this fall. Unfortunately my dog is short and 9 years old. I've tried pointing the rabbits out to her with a little luck. I guess I'm her spotter. I just got her last year and I think she might of been a city slicker. Even though she's half terrier she's not too excited about rodent hunting. She's still my little buddy!
LOL! Helen, My Blue Heeler mix is,nt excited over rabbits either. But he plods after my chihuahua(who is)She's a mean vicious dog.
Our babies are lap dogs, They don't have to be mean hunters.er-r-r unless they want to.
Wow a chihuahua that goes after rabbits! I know from personal experience that little dogs think they're bigger than they actually are. That little chihuahua must think it's an Irish Wolfhound! It makes me think of the Monty Python movie where an attack rabbit would lunge at people's necks and do you know what. Only your dog is doing the reverse. That dog deserves a medal.
Helen - your post reminded me of this cartoon sent to me by a sweet DG person:
Takes a good imagination to see what's inside.
lol
Our Harry must believe he's a huge vicious dog and barks at the rabbits - some hunter he'd make!
Woof!
Oh, he is precious. Smaller than my cats!
Well you must have some of the Maine Coon cats. lol
Oh Pirl I love that cartoon. How much does that cute little Harry weigh and what kind of a dog is he? Harry's fur looks somewhat similar to my dog's. I think I spend more on her haircuts than I do my own.
Oh, that sweet little Harry, who only loves me at 6:30 when it's dinner time, weighs in at 19 pounds. He's a Lhasa Apso from a rescue pound.
Yes, I agree about the haircuts - once a month at $60.00 and the groomer comes to the house with her grooming van. I attack my own hair with scissors every three weeks.
We have to fence our trees here too, to keep the deer away from them. When they are losing their velvet, they will rub their antlers on bushes and trees trying to polish their antlers and get the velvet off. They will completely girdle a tree and kill it. Fortunately, our little town does believe in hunting, but then so do most people in the entire state. We do have a crew that is hired to kill a certain amount of deer every year in town. And archery hunting is allowed in town as well, as long as you have a valid hunting license. But, unfortunately, I still have a problem with them in my yard. Part of the problem is we are small, so it isn't that far for the deer to travel and they are out of town, lol! And then there are some people in town who like them and feed them in their yards. We did pass a law that feeding them in town is against the law, but I don't think the penalty is severe enough. I believe it's only a 50 or 75 dollar fine if you are caught. If they would have made it $1000 or $1500 at least people would think about it first maybe. We love to hunt, but it just isn't very sporting killing them in your yard, teeheehee, especially if you live in town! But, I am sorely tempted every year. The problem with that is, I don't want their guts in my yard, lol! Not what I had in mind for blood meal. ;-)