managing overabundant white-tailed deer

8/3/2019 Managing Overabundant White-Tailed Deer

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Table of Contents

Managing OverabunDanT WhiTe-TaileD Deer 1

inTrODucTiOn 1

History of Deer Abundance 2

Human Values Placed On Deer 3

Biological Carrying C apacity 3

Problems Associated With Deer Overabundance 3

Ecological Impact of Urban Deer Overabundance 5

laWs anD regulaTiOns cOncerning urban Deer 6

Whos In Charge of Managing Urban Deer? 6

Whos In Charge of Regulating Urban Deer? 6

Is Fer tility Control a Management Option? 6

Management Options in Texas 7

Laws Governing Trap, Transport, and Translocation (TTT) and/or Process (TTP) 9

Steps for Managing Urban Deer Populations 9

Step 1: Form a Deer Management Action Committee 10

Step 2: Determine the scope of the problem 10

Step 3: Hold a Town Hall Meeting 11

Step 4: Develop an Urban Deer Management Plan 11

Step 5: Implement the Plan and Monitor Results 12

case sTuDies 12

Need For Educat ional Program Development 13

Final ThOughTs 13

appenDices 14

White-Tailed Deer Biology 14

by: Matt Cook Photo by: Matt Cook


3/18

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus

virginianus) are one of the most

recognizable and charismatic

species of wildlife, but they are

the cause of a growing urban

wildlife management problem

in many metropolitan areas

throughout the United States.


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MANAGING OVERABUNDANT WHITE-TAILED DEER

Introduction

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Managing OverabundantWhite-Tailed Deer


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History of Deer Abundance

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TX

NM

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Figure 1. Zoogeographic range of white-tailed deer and states reporting white-tailed deer conicts.

States Reporting White-Tailed Deer Conict

LEGEND

States Reporting Conict

Range


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Human Values Placed On Deer

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Biological Carrying Capacity

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Problems Associated With Deer Overabundance

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People attach

dramatically different

emotions and value systems

to white-tailed deer.

Many urban communities are experiencing overabundant

deer populations, urban sprawl, and limited natural

resources.


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Example of population growth

Figure 2. A deer population starting with 10 males and 10 females is projected for 10 years, assuming 50% fawn recruitment

and 50% fawn mortality. Given none leave or others come into the population, a population beginning with 20 individuals will

grow to 769, degrading and exhausting habitat resources.


8/18


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Ecological Impact of Urban Deer Overabundance

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Vermont 138

Delaware 715

Maryland 2,576

New Jersey 3,134

Figure 3. Number of reported cases of Lyme disease in the United States in 2007. (Data from Center of Disease Control;http://www.cdc.gov).

Number of Reported Cases of Lyme Disease
http://www.cdc.gov/http://www.cdc.gov/


9/18


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Laws and Regulations Concerning

Urban Deer

Whos In Charge of Managing Urban Deer?

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Overabundant deer populations

can consume large quantities of

vegetation; eventually creating a

void of both preferred and less

preferred vegetation.

The negative impact of deer can be seen by browse lines and

by the presence of plants that show hedging.

Whos In Charge of Regulating Urban Deer?Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TpWD)

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Is Fertility Control a Management Option?

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http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/


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Management Options in Texas

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1). Nonlethal methods do ot d t d

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Trap, Transport, and Transplant(TTT)

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Technique Description

Fencing

High Fence (8 ft tall)A high fence is an effective method for keeping deer out of protected areas Although

expensive, high fences can be a long-term solution

Electric FenceElectric fencing is useful at keeping deer out of protected areas It is less expensive thanother fencing options however; some communities may have ordinances prohibiting

electrical fencing Effectiveness is dependent upon the size of the area and design of fence

Habitat Modifcation

Unpalatable Landscape

Plants

Planting undesirable plant species or fake plants will cause deer to seek food elsewhere

This is an effective method although costs depend on the size of project

Deterrent Techniques

Visual

Scarecrows, shiny pans and other visual devices can be used to provoke caution in deer

Although inexpensive, overabundant deer quickly habituate to visual deterrent techniques

and become less scared of them

AuditoryNoise making devices can also stimulate caution in deer but again deer habituate quickly to

noises Auditory devices can be a nuisance to neighbors

Olfactory

Odors can be used to repel deer Several commercial repellants are available, but their

efcacy is questionable. Their life span is short, lasting between a few days to 3-4 months

in dry conditions

Dogs Dogs are effective, long-term stimuli to keep deer away

Table 1. Nonlethal techniques used to minimize human-deer conicts.
http://www.epa.gov/http://www.epa.gov/http://documents/TTT_TTP_Proclamation.pdfhttp://documents/TTT_TTP_Proclamation.pdfhttp://documents/TTT_TTP_Proclamation.pdfhttp://www.epa.gov/http://www.epa.gov/


11/18


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Nonlethal methods Pros Cons Cost

High fence (8 Ft tall) Effective barrier, long-term Relatively expensive Varies by project

Electric fence Effective barrier, long-term Prohibited in certain areas Varies by project

Unpalatable landscape

plants

Somewhat effective, long-term Large plantings become expensive Varies by project

Visual deterrents Inexpensive Deer habituate quickly Varies by project

Auditory deterrents InexpensiveNuisance to humans, deer habituate

quicklyVaries by project

Olfactory deterrentsSomewhat effective,

relatively inexpensiveRelatively short-term Varies by project

Dogs Effective, long-term Medical and food expense Varies by project

Trap, Transport, and

Translocation (capture

and release)

More accepted by public

Can be used in areas where

rearms are restricted.

Receiving landowner may be

willing to pay costs associated withrelocation

Must nd suitable, approved deer

habitat Permit required

Limited number of release sites

Some mortality due to trapping stress

Time and labor intensive

Requires expensive equipmentDisease testing is required

$150 to 750/deer

Fertility control Socially attractiveProhibitively expensive, ineffective for

deterring or reducing deer populations

$350 to $1100 per

treated female

Lethal methods Pros Cons Cost

Trap, Transport,and

Process

Suitable release sites not

necessary

Disease testing is not required

Can be used in areas where

rearms are restricted.

Meat is donated to charitable

organizations to feed the needy

Lethal means opposed by some

Time and labor intensive

Requires expensive equipment

Permit required

$175 to $300/deer

Individual hunting

Local residents solving local

problem

Expensive transporting equipment

not required

Disease testing is not required

Increases outdoor recreation

Lethal means opposed by someRequires greater coordination among

community and hunters

Additional security costs for law

enforcement personnel

Requires large number of willing and

procient hunters.

No sound suppression on rearms.

Permit required

Limited in application

$85 to $300/deer

Sharpshooters

Requires only a few individuals

Can be done discretelySound suppression on rearms.

Lethal means opposed by some

Must hire for this service

Additional security costs for lawenforcement personnel

Permit required

$250+/deer

Table 2. Comparison of methods to reduce urban white-tailed deer densities.


12/18


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mt (Managed Lands Deer Permitso

Landowner Assisted Management Permitting System).

Laws Governing Trap, Transport, and

Translocation (TTT) and/or Process (TTP)

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o two mmt oto kow

Trap, Transport, and Transplant(TTT) d Trap,

Transport, and Process(TTp; Table 2). sf

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admtt cod, mo fySection 65.101

65.119 and TPWD Code Title 5, Subtitle A, Chapter

43, Subchapter E, Sections 43.061-43.062.

High fencing can be a long-term solution to human-deer

conicts

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13/18


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Step 1: Form a Deer Management Action Committee

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Step 2: Determine the scope of the problem

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http://documents/Citizen_Survey.docxhttp://documents/Citizen_Survey.docx


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Step 3: Hold a Town Hall MeetingT ft odto st 3 to dty t

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Step 4: Develop an Urban Deer Management Plan

po to do urban deer management plan,

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Management plans

should be focused on reduction

and control of deer populations and

to reduce related damage.

Approach 1 Planning for Wildlife: T

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http://documents/Urban_Deer_Management_Plan.docxhttp://documents/Urban_Deer_Management_Plan.docx


15/18


Statements Answer % Correct

1 The size of urban habitats prevents deer herds from growing too large False 60

2 Urban deer can carry diseases that affect humans True 59

3 Urban deer can destroy habitat used by other animals True 52

4 In order to survive, urban deer rely heavily on supplemental food sources True 36

5 Urban deer can begin to produce fawns when they are six months old True 17

6 Twins are a common result from urban deer reproduction True 52

7 More deer per acre means the deer will be physically larger in size False 86

8 The most common cause of death in urban deer herds is predators False 75

9 The least common cause of death in urban deer herds is disease and starvation False 49

10 Deer are an endangered species in Texas False 91

11 Deer live in urban areas because they have adapted to living near people True 55

12 People can help urban deer the most by letting nature take its course False 41

13 Deer live in urban areas because human development has pushed them out of their natural habitat True 8114 People have done more harm than good for urban deer True 60

15 People can help urban deer the most by managing them True 69

16 Fertility control techniques for managing urban deer are cost effective and easy to implement False 10

Table 3. Survey response by 256 residents of Hollywood Park and Lakeway, TX, concerning urban deer ecology and

management (2008).

oyot d ot, xot

oto owt, o m tto y

dto ot mttd.

Approach 3 - Do Nothing: T o o

tkod tt dot d t (od) o t t tk t o oo o

mmt d o oto z. adot

o t d mmt oto w d to

tm d ot ommty dt

o d o o tto, d d-

dt, ott d tto, d qt

xo o my od, t, m,

d ot mmm. a do ot o to

wt-td d mmt ky to o

om d w ky d to moto d ot

to o xt om.

Step 5: Implement the Plan and Monitor Results

som ommt dotd d

mmt tt omto o

dd mmdt om d o

o-tm mmtto d moto. Ft, t

DMac od o t omto om tow

mt d wd oo. T DMac

mt t om to oto o t ommty.

T od o o tt ow dt to

o o/ot, t t d t t DMac

tt mk t f mmt do d

oy t oy to t ommty.

O t mmtd t

mott to moto t t. T t

o t mmt my motod tmo dd t dm, d- oo, d

m-d ot. it my o motod

t m o d t t ommty. T

motod wt oto y

odtd y TpWD o ot wd oo.

ext ddto to t d d om

of odto d o mmto.

T ottom o ommt to t t

t tt t d mmt w

oo oto o t d t

oood. T td tt oow odd o t mmt oto.

Case Studies

Two Tx ommt w o to dtm

wt dt kw ot t ooy d

mmt o wt-td d. lkwy,

Tx otd otwt o at, d hoywood

pk, Tx otd t ot t o


16/18


San atoo. bd o t utd stt c b

2006 tmt, s atoo t 2d t ty

d at t 4t t ty Tx. bot

ommt m o, oo, d

oooom tt, w d:

1. h dty o wt-td d

oto.

2. rty dt d ot z.

3. pott o wt-td d oto owt.

s t 1990, d d mtd

lkwy d hoywood pk to d

d- oo, dfd ow

toot t ommty, d t m-d

ot. Fo xm, t ommt

D coto commtt tt dd, wt t

om TpWD, tt o m d

d. T m o t ommt

dtmd ot y d ot, t y

t m o d- oo,

m-d ot, d od jd o

dd, d -td dt. ey o, to

d o oo tw tkod o

hoywood pk d to mo otto d

mmt omt t t lkwy.

bot ommt mmtd om to

dt o d oto d m.cty od w ot t d o d,

tt to d oto d

oto tt, d t o dm o

dtto o d oto qmt. voto

d wt c c mdmo

y f o ot to xd $500, w od y t

o o dtmt.

Need For Educational Program Development

a t ojt d o 16 kowd

d qto to dtm wt hoywoodpk d lkwy dt kw ot d

ooy d mmt (Table 3). so d

om f to t o o 16. T o

o dt o ot ommt w t ot

w. T mjoty w w ow

d d, d, d d, d t oq d

t o mmt oto. a xt-ot

xmto do ot od o t omto

qd o do om dto

om o d ooy d mmt,

t t dd d dty domt d o

dto om o:

(1) d oto oto mtod,

(2) d ooy d ooy,

(3) mmt tt, d

(4) o-tm tt to o m-d ot.

Tody, lkwy d wt otoy om t

dt d d mmt t

t t 1990 w d mmt ft .

ato ot t, hoywood pk ot

to d wt ott dt wo oo d

mmt. p dto toot t

ommt oo o. a dt

mo to ommt wt d mmt

, ty too w d to dtd ot

d ooy d mmt t ommty.

T t d mmt om lkwy

d hoywood pk m to ty m

t d oto. lkwy ty t

TTp mtod d hoywood pk t

omto o TTT d TTp mtod to m

d t ommt. i t t, lkwy

d hoywood pk mod x o

250 d y od to t ty d

oto d oytm wt t t.

Final Thoughts

Ot, dt do ot oz tt d

mmt tod, oto wod oo xd

t oo y ty . rdt wod

t x mo oom o d d

d-m ot. it mott o m

to dtd tt w d wt t ,

ty o w om dt tkod

o. it t to dd o mmt

om mmtd od to d t

ott ot tw m d dt.

The current deer management

programs in Lakeway and

Hollywood Park seem to beeffectively managing the

deer population.


17/18


Appendices

White-Tailed Deer Biology

g Dto

Adultcoatcolor:brown(wintercoat),reddish

(mm ot) Fawncoatcolor:brownwithwhitespots

Pelage color serves to break-up the bodys outline

and blend with habitat.

Bright white hairs under the tail serve as a visual

alarm to others.

Size

Male ~ 150 lbs.

Female ~100 lbs.

Fawn 4-8 lbs. at birth

Distribution

Found throughout Texas. ScentMarking

Used or communication.

Scrapes - shallow depressions dug by the hooves.

Rubs - shrubs and trees are sometimes damaged

when removing velvet rom antlers.

Antlers

One o the astest growing tissues.

Only ound in deer amily.

Found only on males or white-tailed deer.

Produced and shed annually.

Growth begins in mid-March. Hardened, polished antlers by September.

Antlers are weapons used both or oense and

deense.

Habitat

Food

Require4-6lbsoffoodperday;thatis2,000lbs

y.

Ruminants(4-chamberedstomach)requirea

y tto dt.

Forbs(weeds),browse(leavesandwoodystems),

d oy ~10% . Water

-1.5quartsperday.

Cover

Needvegetationofdiverseheights,thickness,

d to dto, d w, d

mt ody tmt.

Space

Variesdependingonhabitatquality.

BreedingSeason

Known as the rut.

Generally occurs between October and December.

Males are oten more aggressive. Males movements encompass a larger area.

Reproduction

White-tailed deer are highly reproductive.

Females are reproductively capable at 6-8 months

old.

Males are reproductively capable typically at 1.5

years old.

Pregnancy lasts 187-222 days.

Fawning

Firstattempttypicallyproduces1fawn.

Thereafter,femalesannuallyproducetwins(tt ).

Longevity

10-13 years.

Mortality

actors

Predators(coyotes,bobcats,mountainlions,and

m)

Diseasesandparasites

Automobilecollisions

Starvation

Inclementweather Trauma(combat,injuries,infectedwounds)

Changinglanduses(populationlevel)

Mortality is highest among awns and it aects age

classes at dierent rates.


18/18

Authors Contact Information:

James C. Cathey

Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences

Texas A&M University

College Station, TX 77843-2258 USA

Shawn L. Locke

Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences



Clark E. Adams

Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences



Sara Ramirez

Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences



Jessica Alderson

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Austin, TX 78744 USA

Kevin Schwausch

Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentAustin, TX 78744 USA

Acknowledgements

This document represents a partnership between Texas A&M University, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas AgriLife Research

and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department We thank Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for funding this work We appreciate the

efforts of Warren Bluntzer (Wildlife Biologist/Consultant) and Richard Heilbrun (Urban Wildlife Biologist) in providing editorial review of

by: Matt Cook Photo by: Matt Cook Photo by: Matt Cook

managing overabundant white-tailed deer

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