Living with Deer

If you live in Nevada, then you are probably familiar with mule deer (Odocoileus heinous) and the pressures that they can put on your yard or garden. Mule deer can be found throughout the state, from the Mojave desert to the Sierra Nevada mountains, and when they are hungry, deer can decimate plants. They especially like to munch your favorite plants with delicate and juicy foliage. It’s enough to drive a gardener mad!

 
Caption: Mule deer in their winter habitat. Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS

However, before we get into how to manage this conflict, we do want to point out that you may live in a historic mule deer migration zone and winter habitat range. (You can view major deer migration mapping on this website.) And since you have moved into their habitat, we ask that you consider treating them with respect as a native wildlife species instead of just a pest.

Even though it may seem like there are abundant deer in your yard, mule deer populations are in decline in Nevada. They have seen steady population decline over the past 30 years due to drought, wildfire impacts, invasive species, and habitat loss, and the declines are concerning enough to spark the Nevada Department of Wildlife to initiate a Mule Deer Enhancement Program. Read more about the program on this website.

Tips for Managing Deer

Here are 3 simple integrated pest management (IPM) techniques that you can consider for managing deer damage in your yard or garden while still protecting this important wildlife species in our state:

Tip #1: Keep Them Out

The first and best line of defense is to exclude deer from your yard. You can use fencing that excludes an entire area or put individual cages around special plants. Here are some things to keep in mind: 

Caption: Wire mesh deer fencing enclosing a pasture. Photo: R.L. Hamblen, Bugwood.org

• Go at least 6 feet tall and possibly higher.
• The fence must be maintained; deer will find gaps or breaks.
• Speaking of maintenance, electric fencing can be less expensive to install initially and could be used for temporary applications, but it requires more maintenance.
• Consider migration corridors and give deer (and other wildlife) a place to pass through your property if needed. For more information on wildlife-friendly fencing designs, see this publication from Colorado Parks & Wildlife. 
• If you use individual cages around plants, you may need to raise them as the plant grows until it reaches a height above deer browse levels.

Tip #2: Try Deer-resistant Plants

There is no such thing as a deer-proof plant. If deer are hungry, as they often are in the winter, they will eat anything. If you were starving, you wouldn’t be picky either! However, if given better options, deer will usually avoid plants that aren’t as palatable. Here are some basic characteristics to look for: 

Caption: Deer usually avoid plants with spiny and tough leaves, like this Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium).  Photo: Carrie Jensen

• Avoid plants with tender buds and foliage, like hostas (Hosta sp.), tulips (Tulipa sp.) and daylilies (Hemerocallis sp.).
• Try plants with strong smelling foliage, such as catmint (Nepeta sp.) and lavender (Lavendula sp.).
• Try plants with prickly or tough leaves, such as Oregon grape (Mahonia repens) or red-hot poker (Kniphofia sp.).
• Deer generally avoid plants with thorns, such as wild rose (Rosa woodsii) and barberry (Berberis, sp.).

Tip #3: Consider Using Repellants

No repellant is 100% effective. Just as with deer-resistant plants, repellants aren’t a foolhardy method. If you are going to use a repellant, always choose the least toxic option. Also keep these factors in mind:

• Fear works better than pain as a repellant. Look for products that have either putrescent eggs or pig’s blood as active ingredients. These scents stimulate fear, so the deer don’t touch the plant.
•  Products that cause pain, such as chili powders that contain capsaicin, are not as effective because the deer must sample the plant to experience the pain and at that point, your plant is already damaged. 
• You may need to reapply repellants after rain. 
• Repellents work better if there is another food source available. Basically, give them something better to choose instead.
• Having a dog in your yard can also work as a repellant without using any chemicals 😊. However, keep in mind that it is illegal to use dogs to hunt deer in Nevada.

Caption: Dogs may dig holes and cause other problems in your garden, but they also can act as a deterrent for deer. Photo: Image by Anja from Pixabay

Additional Resources

Want to dive deeper on controlling deer and other fall pests like voles and woodpeckers? Check out this Cultivating Healthy Plants webinar: 

Hyperlink To webinar (YouTube)

We also have a very nice factsheet on Dealing with Nuisance Wildlife available in the Extension library.