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Minimizing browsing damage from deer

Foothill residents and mule deer can easily coexist with some planning.

When mule deer browse expensive nursery plants on foothill benches during the winter, they often destroy or reshape trees, shrubs and flowers. However, with proper planning, homeowners can assist wildlife and create attractive landscapes. Information in this article can help homeowners, nursery operators and landscape architects plan home landscapes that are compatible with plant utilization patterns of mule deer on winter ranges.

photo
Preventing deer use

The most effective way to eliminate browsing by deer is to enclose the area with a fence that is at least 7.6 feet high. Entrances must be closed at all times, particularly at night. Lower fences, such as 4-foot-high chain-link, and decorative, wood or metal fences will reduce, but not eliminate use. Repellents such as systemic insecticides, human hair, soap and other chemicals, as well as outdoor lighting and artificial noise, are unreliable in preventing deer use.

Protective plant adaptations, such as thorns on rosebushes, are also generally ineffective. Hungry deer tend to ignore repellents and browse (graze) available plants. Individual plants that are highly susceptible to deer damage can be protected by thoroughly wrapping with burlap or several layers of plastic.

Extent of the deer winter range

Almost all foothill bench areas as well as many valley floors are traditional wintering and foraging areas for mule deer. For example, Old Main Hill on the Utah State University campus in Logan was once a rocky slope covered by big sagebrush, a primary winter food of mule deer. In the predawn hours, deer still browse cultivated ornamental plants that have replaced the native rangeland species.

During the day, deer usually stay in the thickest vegetative cover available and as far as possible from homes and people. At night. deer leave the security of daytime cover and venture out in search of forage. Plants around homes closest to good deer habitat, such as streamsides, brushy draws, juniper patches and Gambel oak stands, will generally be the most heavily browsed. Although deer use of landscaped plants usually decreases as distance to daytime cover increases, noticeable browsing often occurs within one mile of cover areas.

Factors affecting plant use by deer

Deer typically begin using traditional winter ranges, with or without housing developments, soon after the end of the deer hunt in early November. They eat the most preferred plants first, which may be the only plants browsed during mild winters. During severe winters almost all available plants are browsed to some degree. Deer usually continue browsing until spring green-up in March or April but can continue browsing until May or later when early spring flowers such as crocus and tulips are abundant.

The number of deer on the range alternate food sources, including native and urban foraging areas, winter weather conditions, and plant preferences, also influence the degree of plant use by deer. Browsing of ornamental plants typically increases after heavy snowfalls limit the mobility of deer. Deep snow forces deer to move to lower elevations where plants are more accessible.

Deep snow cover may also prevent deer from browsing low-growing and small ornamental plants. Deer will generally dig down through only about eight inches of snow to obtain forage. Snow depth must be deeper to protect taller plants. Mule deer generally browse no higher than six feet but can reach higher when standing on snow.

Browsing of landscaped plants is likely to increase during severe, long winters when snow cover is deep and extensive. As forage supplies dwindle, deer will reach higher and dig deeper for food. Plants in secluded locations tend to be more susceptible to browsing. The presence of household pets may discourage use.

Plant recovery from deer use

Many heavily browsed plants recover vigorously during spring and summer, especially when regularly watered, fertilized and weeded. Many native plants are ecologically adapted to annual moderate or heavy browsing. Winter browsing stimulates new vegetative growth in spring, even on dry rangelands.

Although regrowth of many ornamental plants may increase if browsed during the growing season, some do not recover from heavy winter use and others may require two or more growing seasons to recover. Two growing seasons are often required to replace the vegetative and fruiting buds of apple trees browsed during the winter. Evergreen conifers, junipers, pines, firs and spruces are the most susceptible plants to permanent damage by deer. In addition to direct browsing damage, occasionally heavy use exposes plant tissues and can lead to frost damage.

Observation of plant use

Deer use of ornamental plants was studied during the winters of 1979–81 in 12 landscaped yards on foothill benches near Layton and Bountiful, Utah. Utilization of all plant species in each yard was evaluated in late winter by estimating the proportion of the current annual growth removed by mule deer. Plant species were categorized by the degree of deer use: no use (0 percent), light (1–40 percent), moderate (41–70 percent) and heavy use (71+ percent).

The results of these and other observations were used to evaluate the likelihood that ornamental plants would be utilized by deer. The lists are not inclusive and should serve only as guidelines. Additional research is needed. Deer will probably exhibit similar preferences for related plants. The recommended list of native shrubs was based on the field, research and home landscaping experiences of the authors and reviewers. A similar list was developed using whitetailed deer in Connecticut.

Landscape planning on deer winter ranges

Ornamental plants, which may be expected to receive heavy use by deer and are often permanently damaged, should not be planted unless they are completely protected. These plants, although generally highly preferred by and useful to deer, are less likely to survive and more likely to acquire an unattractive appearance due to browsing. Deer will eat most ornamental plants, many of which can recover from moderate use during the spring and summer. Many homeowners are willing to trade the opportunity to view wildlife in backyards for moderate browsing.

Fortunately, some plants are seldom browsed by deer except during harsh weather when other forages are not available. Many of the native shrubs provide forage for mule deer on winter ranges and are also attractive for landscape purposes. Seeds and plant materials for some of these native shrubs may be available from commercial nurseries. The best sources are nurseries that specialize in native plants.

Small amounts of seeds for many species of native shrubs can be easily hand-collected in late summer through fall. Blending a variety of native and ornamental plants into a home landscape can create a highly attractive environment for people, mule deer and other wildlife species. Enhancing the home environment and replacing some of the lost wildlife habitat can be enjoyable and beneficial.

Ornamental plants highly preferred by mule deer

(generally not recommended for landscaping on deer winter range areas)

Common name Scientific name
Trees
Balsam fir Abies balsamea
Hazelnut Corylus spp.
Swiss mountain pine Pinus mugo
Austrian pine Pinus nigro
Scotch pine
 
Pinus sylvestrix
 
Shrubs / small trees
Japanese barberry Berberis thunbergi
Japanese quince Chaenameles japonica
Bearberry cotoneaster Cotoneaster dammeri
Euonymus Euonymus spp.
Forsythia Forsythia spp.
Elkweed Frasera spp.
Juniper Juniperus spp.
Ptitzer juniper Juniperus chinesis
Tam juniper Juniperus tamariscifolia
Laurel Laurus spp.
Firethorn Pyracantha spp.
Japanese yew Taxus cuspidata
Arbor-vitae Thuja spp.
Virburnum
 
Viburnum spp.
 
Flowers / vines
Bugleweed Ajuga spp.
Crocus Crocus spp.
Sweet williams Dianthus barbatus
Hyacinth Hyacinthus spp.
Lavender Lavendula spp.
Daffodil Narcissus spp.
Phlox Phlox spp.
Stonecrop Sedum spp.
Tulip Tulipa spp.
Pansy (Violet) Viola

Ornamental plants moderately preferred by mule deer

(generally recommended for landscaping on deer winter range areas)

Common name Scientific name
Trees
Japanese maple Acer palmatum
Water birch* Betula occidentalis
European white birch Betula pendula
Catalpa Catalpa spp.
Locust Gleditsia spp.
Magnolia Magnolia spp.
Apple Malus spp.
Lombardy poplar Populus nigra
Quaking aspen* Populus tremuloides
American plum Prunus americana
Almond Prunus amygdalus
Apricot Prunus armeneniaca
Sweet cherry Prunus avium
Sour cherry Prunus cerasus
Peach Prunus persica
Pear
 
Pyrus spp.
 
Shrubs / small trees
Oldman wormwood Artemisia abrotanum
Red barberry Berberis haematocarpa
Siberian peashrub Camgana arborescens
Peking cotoneaster Cotoneaster acutifolia
Cranberry cotoneaster Cotoneaster apiculata
Rock cotoneaster Cotoneaster horizontalis
Arizona cypress Cupressus arizonica
Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia
Privat Ligustrum spp.
Purple flower honeysuckle Lonicera conjugialis
Tatarian honeysuckle Lonicera tatarica
Mock orange Philadelphus inodorus
Common red current Ribes sativum
Rose (cultivated) Rosa spp.
Blackberry Rubus spp.
Raspberry Rubus spp.
Pussy willow Salix discolor
Bridal wreath Spirea vanhoutii
Coralberry Symphoricalpos orbiculatis
Lilac Syringa spp.
English yew Taxus baccata
Snowball bush
 
Viburnum opulus
 
Flowers / vines
Snapdragon Anthirrinum spp.
Strawberry Fragaria spp.
Cinquefoil Potentilla spp.

*Plant species native to Utah

Ornamental plants seldom preferred by mule deer

(recommended for landscaping on deer winter range areas)

Common name Scientific name
Trees
Norway maple Acer platanoides
Silver maple Acer saccharinum
Birch Betula spp.
Hawthorne Cmtaequs spp.
White ash Fraxinus american
Engelmann spruce Picea engelmanni
Blue spruce Picea pungens
Bristle cone pine* Pinus aristata
Japanese black pine Pinus thunbergi
Narrowleaf cottonwood* Populus angustifolia
Douglas fir*
 
Pseudotsuga menziesii
 
Shrubs / small trees
Bamboo Bambusa spp.
Red-osier dogwood* Cornus stolonifem
Singleleaf ash* Fraxinus anomala
English holly Ilex aquifolium
Shrubby cinquefoil* Potentilla fruticosa
Gooseberry Ribes grossularia
Yucca
 
Yucca spp.
 
Flowers / vines
Daisy Bellis spp.
Tiger lily* Lilium tigrinum
Myrtle Myrtus spp.
Buttercup Ranunculus spp
Wisteria Wisteria spp

*Plant species native to Utah

Native shrubs used by deer in winter that generally recover during the growing season

(Most are also highly attractive to birds and other wildlife species)

Common name Scientific name Height (feet) Flowers Fruit
Saskatoon serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia 10 feet+ Pink and white Pome-edible
Black sagebrush Artemisia nova< 2 feet Small Seed
Big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata 5 feet Yellow-small Seed
Broom Snakeweed Gutierrezia sarothrae 1–2 feet Yellow-small Seed
Fourwing saltbush Atriplex canescens 5 feet Small 4-wing seed
Creeping barberry Berberis repens 1 foot Yellow Berry-edible
Douglas rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus vicidiflorus 3 feet Yellow Seed
Common blackbrush Coleagyne ramosissima 6 feet Yellow or green Seed
Mexican cliffrose Cowania mexicana 6 feet Yellow and white Seed
Douglas hawthorn Crateagus douglasii 10 feet+ White-showy Pome-crab apple
Common winterfat Eurotia lanata 3 feet Small Seed
Apache plume Fallugia paradoxa 7 feet White-showy Seed
Myrtle pachistma Pachistima myrsinites 2 feet Small-red Seed
Desert peachbrush Prunus fasciculata 5 feet Yellow Berry
Choke cherry Prunus virginiana 10 feet+ White-fragrant Berry-edible
Antelope bitterbrush Purshia tridentata 6 feet Yellow Seed
Gambel Oak Quercus gambelii 10 feet+ White Acorn
Smooth sumac Rhus glabra 6 feet Yellow Berry-red
Skunkbush sumac Rhus trilobata 6 feet Yellow Berry-red
Golden current Ribes aureum 4 feet Yellow and pink Currents-edible
Nootka rose Rosa nutkana 3 feet Red-large Rose hips
Woods rose Rosa woodsii 8 feet Red-large Rose hips
Western red raspberry Rubus strigosis 3 feet White Small raspberry
Blueberry elder Sambucus caerulea 8 feet White Berry-edible
Black Greasewood Sarcobatus vermiculatus 8 feet Small Seed
Mountain snowberry Symphoricarpos oreophilus 4 feet Pink Berry-white

Disease issues and mule deer

Chronic wasting disease threatens Utah's deer and elk herds.

JUST LIKE HUMANS, mule deer and other wildlife species are subject to disease. And, if you've ever stopped at a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) check station during the fall hunt, you've seen firsthand that the DWR is closely monitoring wildlife populations for any presence of disease.

Chronic wasting disease

A mule deer afflicted with chronic wasting disease.

Photo by Terry Kreeger, Wyoming Game & Fish

Disease management is a critical component of the DWR's Mule Deer Management Plan and our efforts to maintain healthy mule deer populations. That's why the DWR has set up a disease management program to plan and perform surveillance activities that are designed to prevent, monitor and manage wildlife disease.

The goal of the DWR disease management program is to prevent the spread of disease through early detection, and to provide the public with factual and timely information about diseases.

What is the DWR doing to monitor, prevent and fight mule deer diseases?

The Division has a wildlife disease program in place to:

  1. Monitor and control diseases of concern
  2. Investigate reports of sick or dead wildlife
  3. Assess the effects of disease in Utah's wildlife populations
  4. Reduce or eliminate diseases that threaten the health and vitality of Utah's wildlife, or that pose a human health risk.

The DWR has also put restrictions in rule that are designed to prevent the spread of wildlife diseases. For instance, hunters are prohibited from importing elk, mule deer or white-tailed deer carcasses from areas with known Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) infections. Additional restrictions will be added whenever necessary and prudent.

How extensive are the disease-monitoring efforts?

Over the last ten years, the DWR has spent more than $3 million dollars on the surveillance and management of CWD and other diseases that affect mule deer.

The DWR has implemented an aggressive surveillance plan to target deer in specific management units. DWR biologists staff check stations statewide during the fall hunts. Biologists, with the support and assistance of hunters and sportsman, collect samples from hunter-harvested animals from target sample units. Biologists also collect samples from roadkill and symptomatic animals throughout the state. Samples are then sent to the lab for testing.

Since the end of 2002, the DWR has sampled every Management Unit with adequate deer populations to detect the presence of CWD with 95 percent confidence limits.

Checking station

DWR inspecting harvested deer at a checking station

Diseases that affect Utah mule deer

In Utah, several diseases could be potentially detrimental to deer herds.

In the past, the DWR has documented small outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in some Utah mule deer populations. Other diseases — like pneumonia, salmonella and conjunctivitis — have also occurred sporadically. These outbreaks have been isolated events in most cases and populations have recovered quickly from any losses.

CWD was first detected in Utah in 2002. In the fourteen years since the DWR began CWD surveillance, 54 mule deer and one elk have tested positive for the disease. CWD has been found in three specific areas of central, northeastern and southeastern Utah.

What is chronic wasting disease, and why is it significant?

CWD is a relatively rare disease that's found only in wild and captive deer, elk and moose in North America. CWD attacks the nervous system and brain of infected animals. The disease causes the animals to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior, lose their bodily function and eventually die.

CWD is significant because it provides an example of the DWR's response to wildlife diseases. The DWR has been continuously monitoring Utah for CWD since 1998, even though the first CWD-positive deer wasn't found until 2002.

How is chronic wasting disease diagnosed?

To learn whether a deer has the disease, biologists collect the lymph nodes from symptomatic, vehicle-killed, and hunter-harvested deer in all sample units. Laboratory personnel then examine the samples under a microscope using special techniques to identify CWD.

What can I do to help?

The DWR will test any deer, elk or moose exhibiting clinical symptoms of CWD. If you find a sick or emaciated deer, elk or moose, please report the animal — along with GPS coordinates, if possible — to a DWR regional office, biologist or conservation officer.

Likewise, if you hunt in a target area that requires a sample from a harvested animal, please make sure you provide biologists with the necessary sample as quickly as possible.

Additionally, if you are hunting outside of a target surveillance area, you can choose to have a sample tested from any harvested deer, elk or moose at your expense.

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