How to Deal with Deer at the Cabin

Deer have adjusted well to urban and suburban living. In fact, their populations are growing because of the lack of predators. That means you may spot them just about anywhere.

 

Deer are graceful, elegant creatures and interesting to watch.

 

Provide a mineral block, available from feed stores, to add nutrients to their diet. And corn or bales of hay are always appreciated, especially in winter.

 

They devour your garden — and they aren’t picky eaters! Deer can carry diseases and their droppings are messy on patios and lawns. Also, deer are a dangerous traffic hazard on streets and highways.

 

Grow deer-resistant plants wherever possible, although if they’re hungry, deer have been known to eat items on the resistant list. Eight- to 10-ft.-high fences are quite effective at keeping them out of gardens. Many kinds of scent or taste repellents, both homemade and commercial, also work, provided they are reapplied frequently. Having a dog outdoors is a good deterrent. At this time there is no method that is 100 percent effective on all deer all of the time. It’s a good idea to rotate your tactics occasionally to keep the deer uncertain about what they may encounter. And unfortunately, what works on one may not work on the next.