DATE:     11/9/00   
WRITER:   Candace Cummings, (864) 656-7146   
EDITOR:   Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876

Problems with deer?
Clemson Extension has solutions

     CLEMSON -- Have you been noticing problems with your 
landscaping? Maybe you've observed chewed up hostas, azaleas, 
garden plants or even your newly planted lawn. If you are like 
many residents in South Carolina, you are probably having 
problems with deer. 
     The white-tailed deer is one of the most adaptable, 
widely distributed, best-loved -- and most pursued animals in 
South Carolina. No other game species is so well known in the 
state. In fact, the white-tailed deer is the official state 
animal.
     It can make its home in nearly any setting, from rural 
to suburban. It can live within the sights and sounds of human
activity. With its remarkable ability to adapt, the white-tailed 
deer has increased its interaction with humans, bringing about 
a love-hate relationship.
     Many people are fond of the white-tailed deer, although 
their popularity and presence do not come without problems. Most 
of these problems are a result of deer overpopulation, which can 
occur when deer numbers are not extremely high. If there are more 
deer than available food, the herd is overpopulated.
     While deer are known to eat many different kinds of plants, 
they generally prefer to forage or browse on high protein plants 
and plant parts. They eat plants that have been fertilized because 
of the high protein and mineral content. Therefore, when natural 
food sources are scarce, deer will eat just about any plant.
     In South Carolina, the most intense damage to home landscapes 
and gardens occurs following a very dry spring and summer season.
Without adequate rainfall, tender, succulent new plant growth 
is limited. This causes deer to seek alternative food sources.
     However, in areas where deer are not traditionally hunted, 
such as residential communities, golf courses, parks and other 
spaces in urban/suburban settings, the deer can become a year-
round nuisance. This happens when unregulated population growth 
puts extensive feeding pressure on plantings as well as 
native vegetation.
     The challenge of reducing deer damage involves numerous 
biological and ethical considerations. At present, damage 
control methods are primarily built around effective deer 
herd management.
     But not everyone feels deer herds should be effectively 
managed. Many people are happy to have deer around their homes 
and gardens and believe that deer should be allowed to range 
freely under nature's control. Many homeowners have simply 
adjusted and are tolerant to damaged landscape plantings. 
     However, many people who are experiencing heavy damage 
are seeking ways to effectively reduce at least part of the 
damage on their property. 
     Deer feed most actively in early morning and evening. They 
develop predictable travel patterns, and prior damage is often 
a good indicator of potential future damage.
     Deer damage control options can include monitoring deer 
travel patterns; habitat modification -- landscaping with plants 
least preferred by deer; herd management -- hunting or trapping
deer for removal; scare tactics -- the use of noisemakers 
and scarecrows; repellents -- the application of spays or 
substances which discourage deer by taste or smell; and 
finally, physical barriers -- fences.
     Often a combination of deer damage control techniques works
best. A copy of the brochure entitled "Reducing Deer Damage at 
Home or on the Farm" is available on the Web at:
http://virtual.clemson.edu/groups/psapublishing/Pages/AFW/afw.htm, 
through your local Clemson Extension office or the Clemson 
University Bulletin Room (Publication AFW6,(864) 656-0109). This 
free brochure explains deer damage control options in detail, as 
well as recommended landscape plantings, fencing plans and 
repellent information. 
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     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to PSA 
Media Relations, A-101 Poole Agricultural Center, Clemson 
University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0129. Find other Buds and Blooms
columns under news releases at: http://www.clemson.edu/psamedia.
                             END