Coexisting with Deer on Rural Properties

Deer and other wildlife can wreak havoc in gardens and lawns—unless managed for coexistence by using deer fencing properly and more.

By Lois Hoffman
Updated on June 2, 2022
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by Lois Hoffman
Two fawns peek out from the tall grass in the early spring.

I overheard them talking the other day. Well, maybe it was more like snickering. The deer were at the edge of my yard–again, bringing up this annual question for how I can keep coexisting with deer on my rural property. One whispered to the other, “Well, you know, Junior, it’s almost spring and you know what that means.” With a whimsical look, Junior looked up at Mom and asked, “What?”

With a twinkle in her eye, she answered, “It means the human will be putting out her huge garden again, full of appetizers and dessert for us after we eat the farmer’s beans and young corn shoots.”

“Hey, save some for me, you know I like the young leafy vegetables,” the woodchuck chimed in.

“Oh, there will be plenty for all of us, especially with all the sweet hostas and other plants she puts out,” Mama replied.

Battling Deer as Garden Pests

Well, surprise, surprise this year. I have decided that the garden is off limits for wildlife and I have a few tactics up my sleeve to make sure of that. Truth be told, as annoying and destructive as they are, it’s not all the fault of the wildlife. People are leaving the cities and suburbia and headed for the country. They think it is so nice to build right up near the woods so they can see the wildlife. What they don’t realize, is that they are taking over wildlife habitats and feeding grounds. Critters are being driven out, which is why they encroach on us. In a weird twist of fate, deer and other wildlife are even finding their way into our suburbs and cities in search of food and living space.

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