Deer

Homeowner, rental or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Do not feed deer. Feeding can habituate deer to people and can lead to conflicts, such as damage to landscaping plants, increased risk for vehicle collision, aggression, and disease transmission. Intentionally feeding deer in the Lower Peninsula is illegal under state law.
• Protect large areas of landscaping and gardens by using sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high and plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to deer.

Around home

• Ensure potential outdoor food sources, such as pet food and bird food, are not accessible to deer.
• Check your yard for areas where deer may be accessing landscaping plants or gardens. Eight-foot fencing is most effective for excluding deer from large areas. Individual tree guards or tubes can help protect young plants.
• Protect fruit trees by fencing or by covering individual trees during vulnerable times of year.
• Trim vegetation away from driveways and walking paths to improve visibility and reduce the chance of collisions with vehicles and other surprise encounters.

Pets and livestock

• Deer are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if cornered. Keep dogs leashed or fenced to prevent chasing deer, particularly during fawning season (April-May) and breeding season (October-November). Allowing dogs to chase deer can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Store livestock feed securely to prevent deer from accessing it. Deer can carry disease transmissible to livestock and pets.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Eliminating access to food and shelter around your house is the best way to reduce conflicts with deer.
• If deer are causing damage to landscaping or gardens install sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high.
• Hazing deer by yelling, clapping hands, and other boisterous motions can help deter deer from your property. Damage to plants in populated areas often occurs during the night, so consider setting up a trail camera to help identify times when hazing could be most effective.
• Various deer deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers or repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of deer other than for permitted research.
• Michigan DNR does not remove roadkill deer. Contact your local county or township road commission for removal. If you want to keep a roadkill deer, complete a free salvage application.
• If you find a fawn alone, do not touch it, as this might leave your scent and could attract predators. The mother deer will return for her fawn when she feels it is safe, but she may not return if people or dogs are present. If you believe the mother is dead or the fawn is injured, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing a fawn from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• In areas where hunting is allowed, deer may be taken with the appropriate deer permit and hunting license during the open season. Hunters must follow state hunting regulations.
• If hunting is not allowed, deer are damaging your property, or a threat to human health and safety, contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office to request an appropriate removal permit based on your location and situation. Lethal removal of deer may not be suitable in all situations and can only occur after a permit is issued.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Discourage residents from feeding deer. Feeding can habituate deer to people and can lead to conflicts, such as damage to landscaping plants, increased risk for vehicle collision, aggression, and disease transmission. Intentionally feeding deer in the Lower Peninsula is illegal under state law.
• Encourage residents to protect landscaping and gardens by using tall sturdy fencing and plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to deer. These methods can also be used around community gardens and landscaping in green spaces.

Your community

• Trim vegetation away from driveways and walking paths to improve visibility and reduce the chance of collisions with vehicles and other surprise encounters.
• Educate residents about not touching fawns that appear to be alone, as this might leave human scent and could attract predators. The mother deer will return for her fawn when she feels it is safe, but she may not return if people or dogs are present. If the resident believes the mother is dead or the fawn is injured, have them contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing a fawn from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.
• Protect landscaping plants around public buildings with fencing or deer-resistant plants. Two rows of 4 foot tall fencing spaced 3 feet apart can be used to deter from jumping into small crops, such as gardens. Electric fencing can also be especially effective areas of when properly maintained.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding deer and other wildlife that may cause problems.

Public spaces

• Use sturdy 8 foot high fencing to exclude deer from large areas, such as community gardens and green spaces. Individual tree guards or tubes can help protect young plants.
• Trim branches and use fencing to prevent deer access to fruit-bearing plants in parks and other areas that may attract deer. Promptly remove fall fruit.

Pets and livestock

• Educate residents about keeping dogs leashed or fenced to prevent chasing deer, particularly during fawning season (April-May) and breeding season (October-November). Deer are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if cornered. Allowing dogs to chase deer can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Ensure livestock feed in community or cooperative facilities is secured to reduce attraction.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Decrease deer using specific areas by removing food sources, such as fallen fruit, and thick patches of vegetation that can provide shelter for deer.
• Minimize damage to landscaping by using plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to deer.
• If deer are causing damage to large areas of landscaping or community gardens install sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high.
• Various deer deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers or repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of deer other than for permitted research.
• Michigan DNR does not remove roadkill deer. Work with your local county or township road commission or a hired contractor for removal. If a residents wants to keep a roadkill deer, have them complete a free salvage application.

Lethal methods

• If your jurisdiction allows hunting, deer may be taken with the appropriate deer permit and hunting license during the open season. Hunters must follow state hunting regulations.
• If hunting is not allowed, deer are damaging your property, or a threat to human health and safety, contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office to request an appropriate removal permit based on your location and situation. Lethal removal of deer may not be suitable in all situations and can only occur after a permit is issued.
• If interested in implementing a deer management program in your jurisdiction, contact your local DNR Wildlife Division office for guidance.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Discourage people from feeding deer. Feeding can habituate deer to people and can lead to conflicts, such as damage to landscaping plants, increased risk for vehicle collision, aggression, and disease transmission. Intentionally feeding deer in the Lower Peninsula is illegal under state law.
• Protect landscaping and gardens around your building by using tall sturdy fencing and plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to deer.

Grounds

• Use sturdy 8 foot high fencing to exclude deer from large areas, such as courtyards or school gardens. Individual tree tubes can help protect young plants and wrapping material can protect the base of larger trees.
• Trim vegetation away from driveways and walking paths to improve visibility and reduce the chance of collisions with vehicles and other surprise encounters.
• Remove food sources like cafeteria waste and fallen fruit that can attract deer.
• Educate staff and students about not touching fawns that appear to be alone, as this might leave human scent and could attract predators. The mother deer will return for her fawn when she feels it is safe, but she may not return if people or dogs are present. If someone believes the mother is dead or the fawn is injured, have them contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing a fawn from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Pets and livestock

• Require staff and visitors to keep dogs leashed or fenced to prevent chasing deer, particularly during fawning season (April-May) and breeding season (October-November). Deer are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if cornered. Allowing dogs to chase deer can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Deer can carry disease transmissible to livestock, but this is rare. Ensure livestock feed and general contact with deer is minimized.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Decrease deer use of your grounds by removing food sources, such as fallen fruit, and thick patches of vegetation that can provide shelter for deer.
• Minimize damage to landscaping by using plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to deer.
• Install sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high if deer are causing damage to large areas of landscaping or school gardens.
• Various deer deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers or repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of deer other than for permitted research.
• Michigan DNR does not remove roadkill deer. Contact your local county or township road commission for removal. If you want to keep a roadkill deer, complete a free salvage application.

Lethal methods

• If your jurisdiction allows hunting, deer may be taken with the appropriate deer permit and hunting license during the open season. Hunters must follow state hunting regulations.
• If hunting is not allowed, deer are damaging your property, or a threat to human health and safety, contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office to request an appropriate removal permit based on your location and situation. Lethal removal of deer may not be suitable in all situations and can only occur after a permit is issued.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Do not intentionally feed deer. Feeding can habituate deer and lead to increased conflicts, such as damage to crops and landscaping plants, increased risk for vehicle collision, and aggression. Intentionally feeding deer in the Lower Peninsula is illegal under state law.

Your farm or orchard

• Protect large expanses of crops and orchards by using sturdy fencing at least 8 feet tall.
• Protect fruit trees and vines with tree guards or sturdy fencing. Two rows of 4 foot tall fencing spaced 3 feet apart can be used to deter from jumping into small areas of crops, such as gardens. Electric fencing can also be especially effective when properly maintained.
• Reduce thick vegetation around field edges that deer use for shelter. Greatest crop damage from deer will often be near areas with ample shelter.

Pets and livestock

• Keep dogs leashed or fenced to prevent chasing deer, particularly during fawning season (April-May) and breeding season (October-November). Deer are generally not aggressive but can become defensive if cornered. Allowing dogs to chase deer can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Store livestock feed and mineral blocks securely to prevent attracting deer to barns or feed areas. Deer can carry disease transmissible to livestock and pets.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Decrease deer use of your property by removing food sources, such as fallen fruit, and thick patches of vegetation that can provide shelter for deer.
• Install sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high if deer are causing damage to large areas of crops or orchards.
• Various deer deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers or repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of deer other than for permitted research.
• Michigan DNR does not remove roadkill deer. Contact your local county or township road commission for removal. If you want to keep a roadkill deer, complete a free salvage application.

Lethal methods

• If hunting is allowed in your areas, deer may be taken with the appropriate deer permit and hunting license during the open season. Hunters must follow state hunting regulations.
• If hunting is not allowed or deer are damaging your property contact a local DNR Wildlife Division office to request an appropriate removal permit based on your location and situation. Lethal removal of deer may not be suitable in all situations and can only occur after a permit is issued.
• Before contacting the DNR, ensure you are experiencing damage from deer by identifying feeding characteristics specific to deer. Deer damage to corn often results in stripped husks, chewed kernels and broken stalks. For soybeans and other legumes, deer browsing may appear as clipped stems and missing leaves or pods. Damage to orchards or vineyards may include stripped buds, twigs and young shoots.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Discourage staff and visitors from feeding deer. Feeding can habituate deer to people and can lead to conflicts, such as damage to landscaping plants, increased risk for vehicle collision, aggression, and presence around airfields. Intentionally feeding deer in the Lower Peninsula is illegal under state law.

Around buildings

• Protect landscaping around hangers and other buildings by using tall sturdy fencing and plants native to Michigan that are less desirable to deer.
• Trim vegetation to reduce browse damage and improve visibility.

Airfields

• Maintain short vegetation on airfields to reduce cover and forage for deer.
• Remove brush piles and other features that provide shelter for deer.
• Use at least 8 foot tall sturdy fencing to exclude deer from airfields.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Decrease deer use of airport property by removing food sources, such as fallen fruit, and thick patches of vegetation that can provide shelter for deer.
• To exclude deer from airport property install sturdy fencing at least 8 feet high.
• Various deer deterrents, such as motion-activated sprinklers or repellants, are available from retailers. However, their effectiveness is often brief, and alternative methods may need to be used.

Lethal methods

• If deer are causing a public safety issue at an airport, a DNR Wildlife Division regional supervisor or district law enforcement supervisor or their designee can issue a removal permit without an investigation.
• Consider working with surrounding landowners to reduce deer abundance via hunting on land parcels surrounding the airport. Requirements, season dates and bag limits can be found on the DNR Deer Hunting website.