We live in a rural residential setting, the foothills of the Oregon mountain range. Western Oregon’s reclusive Columbian black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) live in the lush habitat of the coastal mountains and western Cascades. They are edge-adapted species using the forest cover to hide during the day and move to open early successional forest to feed at dawn and dusk. Deer eat a variety of plants foods including shrubs, grasses, and forbs. Deer are ruminants which means they eat richer foods quickly, find somewhere to bed down and then regurgitate the food to eat it more slowly (chewing the cud) to help digestion. As our forests have transformed from mixed species to harvestable mono-cultured Doug fir it becomes less diverse and there is less and less food for them to eat. Our crops and ornamental plants are quite yummy especially in the spring when all the new plant growth is happening, and in the summer when things dry out.
During the spring the deer drop their young called fawns. The mother leaves her young while she goes out and forages. Leaving young close to houses is a good choice because predators are less likely to approach. Predators of fawns are cougar, coyote, bear, and bobcat. Doe separate themselves from other deer or herds when having young and defend their habitat called maternal birth territory. This not only ensures they get enough resources but also keeps them more safe and camouflaged from predators and detection.
How can I have both a wildlife sanctuary but also deter the deer from eating my crops? I use fencing but only in a small space. I want to protect my gardens but not cut off migrations for the many different animals that walk through here. Tall fencing 8 ft or up is preferred. Lining the top of fence posts with white poles gives the illusion to the deer that the fence is even taller than it is and they will not attempt to jump it (deer can jump 10 ft).I also use lighting but only in a small specific place that I am trying to protect. These are motion detector lights not bright white light. Again I want to protect my flower garden not disturb roosting or migrating birds. There are also motion detection water sprinklers but I have never tried them. Most anti deer products use smell as a deterrent that contain blood or predator urine. Different soaps like Zest and Irish Spring work but I find you have to always switch up what you are using.
Although most of my accessible gardens consist of “deer proof” plants; the deer have not gotten the memo so stay posted as I continue to discover the best ways to deter them.
