Deer
Deer normally find their food in edges, or the transition zones between forest and more open habitats, where there is an abundance of low woody and herbaceous vegetation. As such, our gardens are ideal for creating and sustaining high-density deer populations. Open areas such as residential developments and agricultural fields are interspersed with forested areas, providing plentiful edge habitat as well as a variety of nutritious crops and ornamental plantings. This supplements the natural food available to deer. In the last few decades the population of deer has exploded. With densities 10 times greater than recommended by wildlife biologists. Why is this concerning?
Deer browsing can deplete the forest of a healthy understory
Deer browsing creates an opportunity for invasive plants
The loss of native pant material causes loss of wildlife
Deer are spreading tick-borne diseases such as lyme
Deer leave homeowners with limited plant choices
Bears, bobcats and coyotes do prey on deer, particularly fawns, but hunting by humans and car collisions are currently the primary predatory force acting to control population levels. The overpopulation of deer is hurting the deer as well; most herds are stunted and stressed, feeding on toxic plant species when nothing else is available.
With a meat consumption over 200 lb per capita in the USA, americans are surprisingly sensitive to deer hunting. We love animals too, but we need to realize that the overpopulation of deer needs to be managed if we want a healthy habitat. Since the introduction of wolves in suburban area won’t happen any time soon, we, ourselves, have to step up as predators, or invest in anti-conception programs.
Want to do something about this issue, please contact the environmental department of your state and make yourself familiar with their deer program before setting out.
For the NY community handbook about deer click here>
For a list of deer resistant plant species per state