From Marne Titchenell, OSU Extension, Wildlife Specialist
This evening I had the pleasure of speaking with some residents of Butler County about managing deer in urban and rural areas. There is no question that deer are one of the species that I get the most questions about. White-tailed deer are very comfortable living among us, whether we live in rural or urban Ohio. The webinar I gave will be posted here if you would like to watch it.
In the presentation, I discussed a number of management options from repellents to scare tactics to modifying the attractant (usual food) to hunting. Throughout the presentation, I referenced several publications and sources of additional information. You can find them all below. Enjoy and good luck with all your Bambi encounters!
Info on Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD):
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife – Chronic Wasting Disease
- Center for Disease Control – Chronic Wasting Disease
Wildlife Crop Damage Publications:
- Wildlife Crop Damage Manual – ODNR, Division of Wildlife
- Identification of Wildlife Crop Depredation
- Corn and Soybean Crop Depredation by Wildlife
Managing Deer Conflict:
- Deer Resistant Plants List – by Garden Sites and Conditions
- Deer Resistant Landscape Plants – Rutgers (invasive plants are highlighted – I don’t recommend planting these as they can be aggressive or escape to natural areas)
- An Overview and Cost Analysis of Deer Repellents for Homeowners and Landowners
- How to Build a Plastic Mesh Deer Exclusion Fence – Purdue Extension Fact Sheet
- Deer Damage Control Permits
- Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2020-2021
Resources for Community leaders:
- Community Deer Advisor – Decision Support for Communities Managing Deer
- Ohio Community Wildlife Cooperative – webinars on deer management in communities
- White-tailed Deer Damage Management: Does Your Community Have a Deer Problem??
Caleb Wellman, USDA Ohio Wildlife Services Program - Urban deer population management — is the patchwork approach sustainable?
Brad Bonham and Lynn Tetley, City of Wyoming - City of Mentor’s Urban Deer Program
Sam O’Connell, City of Mentor - History and Process – New Albany Deer Management Program
Brett Hall, New Albany Police
- White-tailed Deer Damage Management: Does Your Community Have a Deer Problem??
For help managing your woods for deer:
- Webinar: Management: Deer and Habitat
- Ohio Bird Conservation Bird Guides – yes, managing for birds also benefits deer!
- The Young Forest Project – managing for young forests provides food and cover for deer
- Professionals to contact for help:
- ODNR, Division of Wildlife – Private Lands Biologist
- ODNR, Division of Forestry – State Foresters
- Consulting Foresters – these professionals provide forest management recommendations and advice to landowners for a fee.
- Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), Wildlife Specialists
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- US Fish & Wildlife Service, Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
For more webinars and learning opportunities on managing woodlands and wildlife: