In last week’s column, I discussed the fact that some Goffstown residents, on
Third Avenue, had shrubs damaged by deer feeding this winter and that caused
residents to begin feeding the deer. I talked about the reasons our Fish and
Game Department requests people not feed deer. This week I’ll discuss some
ways in which residents can protect their shrubs, plants, etc., from deer
destruction during the winter months.
Robert T. Calvert is a wildlife damage control specialist and biologist with
the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. He is very familiar with the
methods used to keep deer from destroying property. Robert said, "People
need to take precaution measures to prevent deer damage before winter months
come. Preparation and protection methods must be done in the fall."
There are a number of damage prevention and control methods that can and are
used, such as barrier fencing, repellents and toxicants, to keep deer from
damaging shrubs, etc. Bob Calvert recommends residents try repellents. "The
use of ‘fear repellents‘, which are sulpher based, are the best." Repellents
are best suited for use in orchards, gardens and on ornamental plants.
Success with repellents are measured in the reduction, not total
elimination, of damage. Repellents are described by mode of actions, such as
"contact" or "area". Contact repellents, which are applied directly to the
plants, bushes, etc., repel by taste. They are most effective when applied
to trees and shrubs during the dormant period, before winter. Any new growth
that appears after treatment is unprotected. Contact repellents may reduce
the palatability of forage crops and should not be used on plant parts
destined for human consumption. HINDER (registered trademark) is an
exception in that it can be applied directly on edible crops.
Area repellents are applied near the plants and shrubs to be protected and
repel deer by odor alone. They are usually less effective than contact
repellents, but can be used in perimeter applications and in some situations
where contact repellents cannot. Contact repellents need to be applied on a
dry day when temperatures are above freezing. Young trees are treated
completely. It is said to be more economical to treat only the terminal
growth of older trees. They need to be treated to a height of six feet above
the expected maximum snow depth. During the growing season, contact
repellents should be applied at about half the concentration recommended for
winter use.
Mr. Calvert recommends the use of fear-inducing repellents. "The use of
sulfur based repellents are best. These repellents contain compounds that
emit sulfurous odors, such as predator urine, meat proteins or garlic. The
avoidance of these odors by deer is a fear response, as the sulfurous odors
indicate predator activity."
So, there are ways for residents of Goffstown to reduce and/or eliminate
damage by deer during harsh winters. For further information on repellents,
etc., readers should contact: Robert Calvert, Wildlife Biologist, New
Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, N.H. 03301. You
may reach him by phone at: (603) 223-6832 or e-mail him at:
Robert.T.Calvert@aphis.usda.gov. He can also send you additional
information. Readers may want to request the brochure, "More Harm Than
Good", about the reasons you should not feed deer at any time.
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