November 30, 2017 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Deer Browse Damage

Look carefully at the photo on the right and you will see the effects of deer browse damage on this apple tree. The damage isn’t fresh so it may be a little more difficult for you to see it but it is there nevertheless. Can you see it? Look at the parts of the branch that seem to have been cut off. Look at the tip, and the older branches that seem to have been healed over.

Deer damage can be separated from damage by other creatures by the following tips.

Height. If the damage is above 18 inches, it is likely deer.
Rough clip: Branches damaged by deer will have a rough break because deer bite and twist branches. Rabbits and rodents clip branches typically at a 45 degree angle.

For more tips on wildlife damage identification purchase

The Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook, 3rd ed.

Stephen M. Vantassel, CWCP, ACE, is the owner of Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. He helps people restore their balance with nature through publishing, training, consulting, and the internet. He has published numerous articles in trade and academic publications available at {Stephen’s Academia.edu Page} along with several books {WCC Store}). Listen to his podcast “Living the Wild Life” at {Pest Geek Podcast}. Click the links for past {shows} and {interviews}. Please subscribe to {Stephen’s YouTube Channel} He is a sought after speaker and trainer. If you would like to have Stephen speak at your event or use his consultation services, send an e-mail to [email protected] Copyright All postings are the property of Stephen M. Vantassel and Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC. Text (not images) may be reprinted in non-profit publications provided that the author and website URL is included. If images wish to be used, explicit and written permission must be obtained from Wildlife Control Consultant, LLC.

October 1, 2014 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Correcting Deer Rub Damage

Bucks damage young trees when they use the trees to scrape off the felt on their antlers. Sometimes the scraping damages the tree’s bark severely enough to kill the tree. More often, the tree can survive, provided the damage does not exceed 50% of the tree’s circumference. If you have a tree that has been damaged, you can help its chances of surviving by following these steps.

Buck scrape that has severely damaged this tree. It will likely die. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

1. Remove loose strips of bark to make the surface smooth. This helps the tree heal faster.

2. Trim any broken branches to 1/4-inch from trunk.

3. Do not apply any wraps or paint. Wrapping attracts insects.

Author

Stephen M. Vantassel is a CWCP. He provides consulting, research, writing, and other services to companies and individuals.

April 6, 2013 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Deerland by Al Cambronne: A Review

Cambronne, Al. Deerland: America’s Hunt for Ecological Balance and the Essence of Wildness. Gilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2013.

I have never been an avid hunter, let alone a deer hunter. But my work with one of the

Deerland. Photo by Stephen M. Vantassel.

country’s premiere deer biologists, Dr. Scott E. Hygnstrom, has engaged me with this deer hunting community. As I work with deer biologists, researchers, most of whom are also experienced deer hunters, I have been repeatedly surprised at how eyes brighten and grins broaden whenever the subject turns to deer hunting. My bewilderment also extends to the protests of animal activists who decry deer hunters as “Bambi killers”.

What is it about deer that make some people wish to eat it and others wish to simply protect from all and any harm? If you have similar questions or just an interest in the social and human aspects of wildlife management, then Deerland is for you.

Cambronne surveys the complex relationship between humans and deer in a manner that is both factual and interesting. He divided his book into two parts. Part 1 “Love and Obsession” explores the positive side of this charismatic megafauna known as deer. Cambronne explains the life history of deer and details how deer are big business in the U.S. In fact, the business of deer is so big it’s called the Deer Industrial Complex. Cambonne also investigates the emotional side of the human-deer relationship such as the popularity of feeding deer and the allure of big racks of antlers otherwise known as horn porn.

Part 2, “Consequences” analyzes the negative aspects of abundant deer populations. In separate chapters, Cambronne discusses the effect that deer have on environmental balance, deer collisions, disease transmission, and the options available for managing deer. Throughout, Cambronne maintains a decidedly neutral position. He doesn’t say we should shoot more deer or to increase deer populations. His goal is for Americans to think more deeply and profoundly about deer and their role in the environment. Ultimately, we have to decide what kind of nature we want.

Animal rights activists will object that the book insufficiently explained or defended their point of view. True, Cambronne does not spend a great deal of time on the subject of animal rights. But I don’t think this objection is any more worthy of consideration than a medical journal not evaluating the medical theories of the religion known as Christian Science.

Deer are here and our management of them is not optional. But the choice of what kind of management we will adopt is and Deerland helps inform us about the consequences of whatever decision we ultimately make.

July 24, 2012 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Avoiding Deer Collisions

An article in the NebraskaLand magazine (November 2011, p.10) provided some helpful tips on avoiding collisions with deer. The material that follows has been adapted from that article.

Most Dangerous Months

The writers noted that data from State Farm Insurance says that November is the month most vehicles hit a deer, with more than 18% of all collisions occurring in that month. In fact a collision in November is 3 times more likely than a collision occurring between February 1 and August 31. October is the second most likely month and December is the third.

Tactics to Avoid Hitting Deer

Here are several tactics that may be helpful in preventing collisions with deer.

Be aware of posted deer crossing signs. Reduce your speed. Wear your seatbelt.
Be the most cautious between 6 and 9 PM, when deer are most active.
Deer travel in groups. Just because you missed the first one doesn’t mean there isn’t a second one) close behind.
Evidence shows deer whistles don’t work. Don’t rely on them.
Use high-beams whenever possible to give you a better chance of seeing the deer.
If a collision with a deer appears inevitable, resist the urge to swerve out-of-the-way. Doing so may cause a rollover or put you into oncoming traffic.

March 31, 2012 by Stephen M. Vantassel

Critter Gitter Does It Frighten Wildlife?

Critter Gitter is a motion and heat-activated audible frightening device that also employs flashing red lights to scare wildlife from a given location. The website’s home page crittergittersensor (dot) com as of March 31, 2012, contains images of a raccoon, red fox, black bear, rabbit, white-tailed deer, and squirrel (not sure if gray or fox squirrel) suggesting to this writer that these animals would be frightened by this device.

The search for an effective frightening device and/or repellent to drive or keep wildlife from a given location is one of the holy grails that wildlife damage managers seek. Anyone who discovers such a product would be heralded with fame as well as a great riches. While many products, touted to be effective are on the market, few ever receive rigorous testing under scientific conditions. Thankfully, Dr. Kurt VerCauteren and his colleagues tested the efficacy of Critter Gitter on elk and mule deer.

Verdict of Research

In a paper entitled, “Efficacy of an Animal-Activated Frightening Device on Urban Elk and Mule Deer” published in the Wildlife Society Bulletin 33:4(Winter, 2005):1282-1287, Kurt C. VerCauteren, John A. Shivik, and Michael J. Lavelle discuss their test findings on this product.

The test was rather simple. They took a bale of alfalfa (a favorite food of elk and mule deer) and placed it within sensor range of 1 or 2 Critter Gitters. This test scenario was repeated accompanied by untreated bales at a total of 5 sites near Estes Park, CO. They then assessed activity through use of video cameras and measured consumption of bales by visual estimation.

The results were that that the Critter Gitter did not protect the bales. They stated, “Variability in consumption amounts, though not significant, likely was due to the itinerant feeding habits of elk rather than effects of the device.” They further theorized that the animals could not even see the red lights. The authors concluded by saying, “from elk and mule deer. However, because they failed to protect the hay, we speculate that they also would be ineffective in deterring elk or mule deer from feeding in gardens, golf courses, ornamental plantings, fertilized lawns, or other similar areas.”

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Deer Browse Damage

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Deerland by Al Cambronne: A Review

Cambronne, Al. Deerland: America’s Hunt for Ecological Balance and the Essence of Wildness. Gilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2013.

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Avoiding Deer Collisions

Avoiding Deer Collisions

Most Dangerous Months

Tactics to Avoid Hitting Deer

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Critter Gitter Does It Frighten Wildlife?

Critter Gitter Does It Frighten Wildlife?

Verdict of Research

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Deer Browse Damage

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Correcting Deer Rub Damage

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Cambronne, Al. Deerland: America’s Hunt for Ecological Balance and the Essence of Wildness. Gilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2013.

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Avoiding Deer Collisions

Most Dangerous Months

Tactics to Avoid Hitting Deer

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Critter Gitter Does It Frighten Wildlife?

Verdict of Research

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