By Clay Heaton (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
There are a variety of ways for you to accomplish having more deer on your property. Certain foods, plants, or scents are effective for encouraging the deer to make your yard their new favorite hangout.
Follow these simple tips on how to attract deer, and enjoy the sight of an increased number on your land.
Food Plots
Plant a food plot full of forage species that will be specifically for the deer to graze upon. Plants that typically attract deer include red clover, chicory, and orchard grass.
Certain high-protein crops, such as peas, soybeans, turnips, alfalfa, sorghum, kale, or corn, are also attractants that the animals enjoy feeding on.
Deer like the nutritious nuts that come from chestnuts and acorns as well. When surrounding vegetation is declining, the deer will appreciate coming to your yard to feast.
Before selecting which food to include in your food plot, it can be beneficial to consult with nearby wildlife experts and farmers for added information about your specific location.
Ensure that the food selection is not abundant in the region. For instance, if there is a corn field right down the road, you may not attract more deer to a food plot of more corn. Choose wisely and conduct research to find the best food plot resources.
Make sure that the planned location for the food plot is away from roads, since cars will tend to scare away the animals. Also, situate it away from any other plants or garden products that you do not wish the deer to eat.
The food plot should not be placed in an area that is prone to flooding, since it could be wiped away in a single storm.
Once you find an ideal area for the food plot, prepare the land for planting. Depending on the size of your property, the plot can be as little as 1,000 square feet or several acres in size.
Clear all brush and trees that are in the way, and then prepare it for seeding with a tractor and cultivator. It is recommended that you spread fertilizer for the intended food plot for optimal plant growth.
Follow the planting directions of the intended crop carefully, while spreading the seed throughout the food plot area. Afterwards, rake the area where the seeds have been distributed to allow for the best soil contact.
It is also a helpful hint for protecting the plot from birds and smaller animals that are interested in gobbling up the seeds.
Deer Lures
Using deer lures can peak deer interest, especially bucks, and encourage them into your yard. Although they are typically used by hunters during the rutting or hunting season, they can also be used by homeowners that are looking to invite deer for viewing pleasures.
Usually, the lures consist of a variety of scents, including urine, pheromones, and appetizing foods. Lures can be purchased at most sporting goods or hunting specialty stores.
Perhaps the most effective scent is deer urine. Spread this type of lure liberally across the section of your property where you want to attract deer. The animals are very likely to visit your land in order to investigate the new, strange deer that is in the territory.
In addition, apply doe scent on the grass, leaves, or trees on your property to attract bucks. The scent is most attractive for eight to ten weeks before the peak of the breeding season, which occurs in mid-November.
But, be very careful handling the scent. Avoid making any contact of the scent with your body. This will minimize the amount of human scent that could interfere in the attraction.
Deer are much smarter animals than they are given credit for, so they will avoid this seemingly potential trap. In fact, deer will stay away from all areas where there is a strong human scent.
Sweet-Smelling Apples
Deer cannot resist the sweet smelling aromas that come from apples, so use this to your advantage in attracting them. It is suggested that you consider planting apple or crab apple trees along the perimeter of the yard.
Not only will this provide the cover that deer prefer, it will also bloom tender leaves and fruit throughout the late summer and fall months.
Sometimes space or climate does not allow the planting of apple trees though. In those cases, it could be beneficial to learn how to attract deer into a feeding spot with apples.
Set up a trough or bucket for the deer to feed from, and pour a healthy serving of grain or deer feed into it. Then, cut up a few apples, cores included, into quarters and toss them in too. Mixing the apples with the feed will attract the deer to come feed on your property.
Salt Blocks
As most hunters are aware, deer are attracted to salt and mineral blocks. Cider and apple salt blocks can also be effective for luring in deer already in the area.
You can easily purchase these from a large variety at most hunting specialty stores, or even some local feed shops. Put the block on the edge of your property, near a food plot, or beside a feeder.
Sometimes the best results come from burying the salt block in the ground, within a hole about three or four inches deep. Cover the block back up with soil and sprinkle some salt on top of it.
Keep in mind that the block will need to sit there for hours, or maybe even days, before the deer will catch a whiff and check it out. Remain patient because they will eventually find it and frequent the area.
Be aware that the deer will make a hole wherever you decide to play the block, as they dig it out and proceed to lick it. Make sure you pick an appropriate spot where there will not be negative consequences from this mess happening.
Plus, the salt can kill plants located within the immediate area. Be careful about choosing the location prior.
Other Deer-Friendly Yard Improvements
Deer are fonder of environments that have taller grass that will provide necessary cover and food source. Let the grass along the perimeter of your property grow taller than the rest of your yard.
This will help to attract deer to step out of the woods or brush, into a safe transition space towards your yard.
Fences can deter and obstruct access into the yard for deer that are looking to prance out of the woods. Remove fences that are being restrictive in this manner, so that deer can more comfortably move around the property.
If this is impossible, try to create some openings within the fence line.
Lastly, always remember to limit lights or sounds that will frighten the deer or discourage their visit into your yard. Keep a safe distance away from them, in order to protect yourself from injury and avoid startling the deer.
Limit the amount of human activity in the area and combine some of these useful tips on how to attract deer into your property.
After a lifetime f subsistence hunting I ended up in a wheelchair, so now I hunt with cameras instead of guns. Much more fun! You likely have much more wildlife than you think you do…put out a few trail cams to see what’s going on while you sleep. I use a 4-camera Lorex security system to watch all kinds of animals attracted to a feeder in my backyard. My live stream is down at the moment but you should be able to see my animals in another week. If you put out a feeder put it up on tall legs, mine are at 20′ to avoid being robbed by coons and bears. Enjoy! https://www.facebook.com/1464971285/videos/4320804431335991/
How far away from my house should I put a deer feeder?
According to David Wolfgang, extension veterinarian and field studies director in veterinary and biomedical sciences at Penn State:
“The commissioners should follow the advice they have been given by a variety of deer experts, including the agency’s own wildlife veterinarian, and stop the feeding of deer,” he said. “When we feed deer, we congregate the animals, and that dramatically increases the potential that diseases, such as chronic wasting disease, will spread among them. There is no disagreement about that.”
I like the idea of using deer lures to bring bucks near my property. There aren’t a lot of deer in my area. I’ve thought about buying some and breeding them before letting them out into the wild to help repopulate.
What part of the country are you in? There are far more deer than rabbits most everywhere.
Not only is this highly illegal, but also short-sighted and ignorant. DO NOT DO THIS Chris! You are not a wildlife biologist. You are not a ‘deer population expert’. Correlation is not causation. Just because you THINK there are not many deer, does not mean that’s the case. There are so many factors that contribute to population dynamics in wild animals that a simple look out your window to see one is not an accurate representation of those dynamics.
Here in Washington state in our small city in the forest, deer are abundant and munch in all the yards unacosted. This morning I watched a mama and fawn eat lavatera flowers… they loved them!
I love this.. we have recently moved to lawrenceville.. away from busy atlanta and I have seen a deer and what seems to be a baby.. happened so quickly. We have half acre and i wNt them to come to my back for safety… although the street and area is “quiet, not a lot of traffic, it does have cars and once at the stop signs it is very busy streets. I’m not even sure how the deer got to our area. But i feel if i van get them to my backyard, and make a place for them, a home? It will keep them safe. I love animals so much. All of them.
We just moved to a neighbor that has about 30 deer (that we have counted) that roam the neighborhood. They don’t seem to be bothered by the people or cars. Cautious of course, but feed in all the yards. So far only on the grass and deer feeders some have out. They even look both ways before crossing the street! If a jogger goes by they stop eating (sometimes) but do not run off! We have put apples out but have plans to add salt rock and grain! They are beautiful!
Deer a.lso like watermelon. My husband grows them here in Oklahoma and we have to chase them out just to harvest them. They feed on their fair share though. We’ve also raised purple hull peas and had them eat them while we were picking them.
They Yes and I did my entire garden including 14 rows of purple whole peas this summer
My deer in our neighborhood are like that too
Put some presimmon crush out and they will come to it
I’ve had a doe that started coming every night around 6 pm. I fed her corn and some veggies and fruit. I sit on the ground or in a chair and she has gotten used to me. She eventually brought a buck, 4 fawns, and two other does. They come extremely close to me but I don’t try touching them or hand feeding them. It’s amazing to see how they interact with each other! I recommend that if you do this you are very still, do not make direct eye contact ( look out of the corner of your eyes), very slow movements, keep your body relaxed and calm, and try to do it daily at the same time. I can now call the doe by a name I gave her and she will usually come. They are beautiful animals and have a strong sense of family and their herd.
How cool 🙂
And they taste delicious
that is according to YOUR taste buds..
You are so lucky we will be in st Joseph mich end of a august I also love deer which to lure many yo property to look a t a nd enjoy what do you suggest the best things to lute Dee to property ty
It’s nice to find a site to attract deer for viewing not for killing..l have 2 acres l keep the grass and bushes overgrown and l have many trees. The farmers around here want to hunt them so l made a safe haven for them we have apple trees and mulberry trees they also like to come to the salt link don’t forget the water
Happy you’re protecting them!
This is what I want to do. I have 7 acres surrounded by deer leases. I hate it! I hear four wheelers and gun shots all the time. I would love to be able to safe all these animals. I love to watch them.
I live to eat them
This is not for you.
I do, too! Their meat is much healthier & they haven’t grown up in crowded, dirty stalls like cows do.
I just want to say thank you for letting me use your property for hunting! Last deer season was a blast!
It never fails! I’ll come across a good article, one that provides some great info surrounding the enjoyment of deer. Then , right on cue, out-pops a nut job! If only there was an “Open Season” on trolls!
Couldn’t have said it better! I absolutely live for the day where ‘hunting’ hunters is legal. Deer are beautiful and sacred.. and I do everything in my power to protect the herd who live on my property. Damn humans.
It’s nut bars like you that are a great argument for gun control. Anyone suggesting that they would like to hunt humans should be locked up. I am not a hunter, but respect their sport. I enjoy having deer on my property and there is no risk that that hunting will eliminate them. Better to have regulated hunting then having to cull overpopulation.
I felt as you do. Right now we feed 30 deer. I do understand hunting and culling the herd. If you don’t you leave them open to starving from too many deer not enough food. Interbreeding and other disease related issues. I don’t like hunting; however understand the need
Your comment is extremely naïve – maybe do some research before you spout off – Most of wildlife conservation is funded by hunters – those herds on your property probably wouldn’t be there is it wasn’t for conservation efforts funded by hunters. As well, maybe do some reading on controlling population – wildlife counts are done and hunting licenses are distributed in the best interests of maintaining a healthy population – do you know that if an area is over populated with deer or moose they are more likely to pass on ticks to each other – have you ever seen a moose or deer die from a tick infestation? It is a slow painful death.
Yea well I guess it’s ok for you to eat cow and other meat that are in small pens
I would just like to point out that hunting is the natural order of things; slaughter houses are not. Small family farms most often keep animals as pets, and I completely respect that, even if they kill one or two occasionally, or even on a regular basis to support their family. In slaughter houses, however, the animals are bred and raised to die in a cold, harsh, unforgiving metal pen to be processed by the millions. They don’t have a chance to escape or even to resist. Hunting allows the animals a chance to get away, and more often than not they do. There are more than a few million deer in the US alone, and they are not exactly endangered. As a hunter I can say with all my soul that I despise poachers. They give hunting a bad name, and completely have no respect for the animals. My point is is that “cow and other meat” are rarely kept in “small pens” are entirely worse off than deer and wild animals. Deer are beautiful creatures, and have the chance to explore the world, see true beauty in a way humans will never, while domestic food animals are alive simply to die. After reading this, I implore you, reconsider: slaughter house or hunting?
We have a bird feeder with assorted seeds and nuts. To keep squirrels from trying to jump on it, I sprinkle nuts and corn on the surrounding ground. Last two nights we had deer visiting to eat what was on the ground. We thought “how cute”. Last night the deer tore the entire pole out of the ground trying to get at the seeds. Guess I have to rethink. 🙁
Bob, that made me laugh!
Did you know that deer eat bird food I catch them every night stealing food from my bird feeder
🤣
Uhm…that sounds like a black bear (at night). Many people in Montana take their bird feeders down at night because of it 🙂
Spread nuts on the ground for theme in an area away from your feeder. I moved my birdfeeder way up in the tree where the deer couldn’t reach. Plus, it provides way more protection for the little birds (hawks, etc.).. and the birds prefer it. The deer get their own separate areas filled with nuts and seeds (minus the shells which are hatmful). Everybody wins.
🤣🤣🤣 I love that !!!
We have deer where we live, you don’t see them that often and when you do it’s a real treat, but I wouldn’t dream of inviting them into my garden, they are wild animals which makes them unpredictable.
Enjoy feeding your birds !!
My husband has a doe he calls Aluce, and her adolescent buck eating out if his hand on schedule twice a day! She also has another adolescent that is almost there. He splits pumpkins in half in the yard and the deer love them. He feeds them potatoes, carrots, and apples from his hand. He puts black rubber bowls of corn mixed with some kind of feed containing molasses. We started throwing vegetables from the porch; then moved to the driveway that has a short rock wall between him and the deer. First he tossed food gently as we did from the porch. Just the step between he and the deer gives them security. No quick crouching moves. Don’t show teeth or talk when trying to get close. It takes time. We have them coming down to the garage when they hear my husband randomly throughout the day to ask for food. They like corn more when it becomes cold and veggies in the summer. My husband can call Alice and she will come if she is anywhere near the house.
Love your story!!!!
Sheryl thank you for story also! You are giving me hope! We just bought a cabin in the mountains and I desperately want to watch the deer in the area! I am planting a deer garden in a couple of weeks when the snow is all gone. Also loading up the property with apple, cherry and plumb trees.. I appreciate the advice!
Thanks Sheryl
Your story also gives me hope
My husband and I just bought a home on 3 acres of land. We were visiting the property today, we must have seen at least 6 deer in the field.
I’m hope when we move in at the end of the month that we don’t scare them away.
Looking for tips on how to keep them around. If you have a more tip on Do’s & Don’ts please share
It would be greatly appreciated.
You guys must not be hunters,it’s no I can befriend something I plan to eat sono. Now Daddy, he’s a whole different beast. He named our goats, geese, rabbits and some of our chicken,yet he didn’t flinch when I killed either of them!
No this is for animal lovers. We feed and help them, never kill or eat their meat. No hunters.
But I love animals too! They taste so good!
That’s Love it bit I wonder if the deer getting so comfortable about people is good. Come hunting season they need to be wary of people
Trust me they will
Love the story but come hunting season it might be bad for the deer to b so used to people
What kind of corn. And does hen feed work..
All of the research I’ve read says not to feed corn. The deer can’t process the high carb content and it can kill them. Check out some of the info on this.
Deer Corn is only a small part of the food I leave out for the deer. They have an amazing sense of smell, better than dogs. I also offer seeds, nuts, fruits and vegetables. Since I can buy an 8 lb bag of apples for approx $5. I cut up 2 or 3 apples each night, which they can smell from 50 yards away. I can sit back and watch them through my Nest Doorbell App, because I don’t want them to lose their fear of humans. We continue to see more than one herd of deer most nights, some does with their fawns, other nights it might be some juvenile males eating and clowning around. Their presence is always a delight to see!
Love the story. I have a young doe and buck that come up each day. I am trying so hard to get them not to run off. Thanks for sharing. Hopefully in time I will have the same luck as you. That’s my goal!!
I live in Brighton Mi.We have 2 acres but 300 +acres of un buildalbe wetlands behind .Ive always known they are there and only see them at night crossing the street but today at 12:30pm I looked out and thought what I was looking at was a coyote I have seven chihuahuas so I’m always watching them when the dogs are out What I saw was four deer on the other side of the fence I was excited like a little kid .They stayed around for and hour .As soon as they left I found this web sight to look up what to do to attract them Thanks for all the info It’s going to be along winter here with 15 ” of snow already.They can eat all my plants I don’t care I love to watch them When spring comes I’m going to plant apple trees as many as I can afford Thanks for the info and have a Happy Holidays and a Merry New Years . PS World Peace would be nice PSS :Trumph moving to England would also be nice ?????
Too bad you had to get political about it. We were just talking about luring deer in your yard!!
Everything is political. It is inescapable lol
Too bad that is the only thing you focused on. Why don’t you come on down and go hunting with Cheney?
I understand. It is not “getting political” to express your concern…and there are plenty of us out there who share your concerns.
Glad to have this site! I’m in Florida…at the edge of the Atlantic Ridge Preserve. It is always such a thrill to see these beautiful animals, and others, that come foraging. Apples….gotta get apples!
Many of us don’t share that political view. Seven more years of protecting our second Amendment rights will be appreciated
Amen to that statement !!
Amen to that!
Maybe you should. I’ve never had so much work and security in future work. You may not like him but can’t say he’s not doing a good job!!
I thought deer was the subject. Isn’t EVERYONE tired of politics??
Great point Tom.
You love the deer, but what about all the unborn babies you Democrats support Killing!!
Maybe you should care about the unborn as much as you do the deer. (Demoncrat?)
Well that escalated quickly.
how insane!! Let’s get back to talking about feeding deer!
Or eating them.
We have a female deer frequently coming into our back yard which is completely fenced in with 4 ft high chain link fence. I think it likes one of my dogs but the dogs just bark at it incessantly and the deer simply stares at them. I don’t let the dogs outside when the deer is in the yard. Bottom line is that she is attracted to our yard and we have no idea why. She will just lay down for hours. Any thoughts?
Jason,
I have no idea, but she seems content there.
I live in a big city (Grand Rapids. mi) and have deer around.
how do I get them to come to my side of the street at night to eat.
scot
Hang a feeder. And doe sent
For anyone that wants to attract deer, I bought a product called “Buck Cage” at my local feed mill. I did see them on facebook. I also bought a lure “doe in heat” was recommended for the fall and winter and a apple scent during the summer by the Feed Mill.. It works Great!!! Every time I look out my windows of my house I always seem to see them checking it out.
Human hair ask a barber for a bag of hair clippings the deer don’t like that at all just sprees the hair were u don’t want them. They smell all that different human scent in the hair an they gone
The article was how to attract the deer not repel them
Thank you Anonymous – I think Aaron is one can short of a six pack 🙂
this type of article can be helpful for people trying to figure out why they are attracting deer in the first place. the human hair tip seems a good idea and i will be sharing that with my neighbour
Lol
Peggy I have hunted deer for 52 years and Aaron is exactly right. Where are you from?
I’m not a democrat and I think It is evil to kill those beautiful deer.
Lmbo…yes
Hi i live in scotland England,
Was just sat having are lunch when there in my drive was a young deer, i was so pleased, i thought i had seen one last night in the garden, i could just make out cause it was a beautiful moon light night.
Guess they are after the apples on my trees and garden shrubs, thank you for the helpful tips to attract more to come and visit my garden, they can eat what they want, thats fine by me 🙂 think i may get a night camera and record them.
There is an organization called “Whitetail Institute” that will send samples of seed for deer nourishing plots. May help to keep them away from ornamentals.
They love roses and gladiolus. I made the mistake of planting thornless blackberries. Gone the next morning!
H
p
I here spreading human hair around the plants you want the deer to stay away from works wonders! So, the next time you, your friends, or your family get haircuts save the hair clippings!!
My several reasons for NOT attracting deer :
1) Ravenous appetites. I try very hard to keep deer from eating my flowers & perennials. Late August is when their appetites kick into high gear to fatten up for the coming winter. So I’ve planted things they don’t like to eat. They have to forage on their natural foods of acorns & grass & bushes.
2) Laws prohibiting & rodent problems. Furthermore, for those who DO want Bambi in their yards, best to check with your City Hall & State Dept of Natural Resorces/Forestry/Animals for any laws governing attracting, feeding & shooting deer. For example, here in Minneapolis, it is illegal to hunt deer with a gun in the city limits. Only licensed bow & arrow hunters with a special permit (drawn by lottery) are allowed to thin the deer herds in the cemeteries. In Minnesota it is illegal to “shine” deer by shining a light to attract them to kill them. Feeding is legal.
3) Health issues. Lyme disease & Deer ticks are another problem in the upper Midwest. Deer ticks want warm-blooded creatures. Deer host them & when the ticks mature, the bugs bite humans. Deer ticks are carriers of Lyme disease that affects humans. It is a lifetime, chronic infection. Lyme disease has no cure, you just have to control the symptoms. Deer ticks also are carriers of other diseases that affect humans. Feeding deer also attracts other unwanted animals such as racoons that carry rabies.
4) Overpopulation & keeping a balance in Nature. I think that deer do best for health & population control reasons when they eat their natural diet. When so many people feed deer, it leads to more births, overpopulation & destruction of large areas of vegetation. Limiting the food supply & the natural diet is a way to keep the food & deer numbers in a healthy balance.
So is putting them in my freezer
Catherine D.,
Sounds like you may live a lil more comfortable in Antarctica where there are no “pesky” animals for ya to worry about. Second, anyone who is reading this article & lives in “city limits” expecting to Shoot the deer, is reading the WRONG article!! & Lastly, how about you read what you’ve said in #4 again. Where do you think their “natural food supply” comes from? It’s not like the deer roam around the land & say; “Hmmm, that’s a human yard we can’t eat here, let’s go find an acorn tree!” It doesn’t really work like that. The article should be looked at as : deer like this, I don’t want deer, therefore I won’t plant that! And just an FYI to think about; You have successfully summed up the health, disease & obesity problem for the world in #4! Good job! (Instead of talking about deer, substitue that with “people”.
Have a good day
I love you! These people are total idiots.. not everyone wants to kill and destroy.. humans need to control there own population! Especially some of the parents of the animal killers who posted on this page… thanks for setting them straight!!
Thank you!
Over population of humans is so true. We need to control our population. Especially so people like you who think they can live solely off grass and air for their life without eating meat. I’m sure you pull up to McDonald’s once a week and order a burger and never once think “well where did this meat come from?” It came from a cow. A cow had to die for you to eat and live. And you should be thankful for it. Rather than saying “oh, let’s stop killing all the animals.” If nothing died, we would over populate. Just so you know, most people hunt deer to eat. Deer meat is actually quite good and its all my family tends to eat in one year. We make what we shoot last. Deer meat doesn’t have as much fat in it as beef or pork and it is healthier for you. Anyways, rather than saying people who hunt and kill animals need to die, you might should sit back and be thankful for the food in your stomach. Everything we eat had to come from something dying, whether you want to admit it or not.
Sadly many animals are going extinct because of hunting!
Yes, Amen! Well said! These idiots don’t think right! Over populated deer is the reason why why have deer hunting season! I bet if they were in a survival mode dying of hunger, they would aim to kill, to eat! Otherwise, then just sit there and die! What is wrong with these weirdo’s?!!! Would they let their loved ones die of hunger if it came down to it because they love animals more than their children and other loved ones? I think not! So dumb they are!
You Dumb %^&! This conversation is solely based on enjoying the company of beautiful deer. Get on a hunting website you %^&*(. Or do you even know the difference? Get a hobby besides having your head up your %^&!
Not sure that I should be approving this, although I did edit it a bit. But this article is about attracting deer so the comment is relevant.
Tonya, I beg to differ. Hunting is not exterminating species of animals, poaching is. Hunting is the ethical, lawful killing of animals that are not endangered or even close to. Poaching is the exact opposite and is killing beautiful nature.
I’m sitting in a deer blind as I type this. As soon as one walks out I’m going to shoot it in the face.
Lol
Typical Psychopath…
Hahahaha!
My hero
Folly the hunting laws and don’t bait. Gotta be fair.
Thank you!!!
Thank you for that dose of common and not-so-common sense. In the interest of viewing and protecting these beautiful animals we forget sometimes the bigger picture.
And where do you think coyote and fox urine comes from? Animals kept in tiny cages standing in pain on wire slats so their urine drops down for collection.
I don’t know about your values, but I think I can live quite well without trying to grow hostas for example, loving them as I do.
Scientists have gotten so good they don’t have to do that to replicate their urine. I’m sure it still happens, maybe not in that exact way, but animals in cages do pee and scientists can and do collect it.
You probably have no problem with abortion. Just killing animals your Priorities are backwards. But you say it is a woman’s right to choose.
Liberal Hypocrites
How did this get into abortion and liberals? Brian, I am a woman and I choose to not have deer shot in my back yard. So, it is my right to choose. I thought we had a forum going on how to attract deer and save them. All of these people who want to rant on politics, hunting, and population control should be on some other forum, certainly not one that I would wish to be a part of.
Becca,
I agree with that. In all of our forums I try and keep religion and politics out of the discussions. But at the same time I am not into heavy handed censorship, but there is a line and if crossed the post gets deleted.
Deer visit our yard often. They seem to know I will not harm them, even when they eat my roses and chew the leaves off my new Chinese Dogwood! They just watch me if I am out gardening or when I pull into the driveway with my noisy truck. I have fenced my vegetable garden, but plant some for the deer outside the fence. Sometimes the young ones play chasing games in the yard. They are so beautiful that I can forgive them for eating my favorite rose and pruning my young apple trees.
Deer often visit my yard too. I love to watch them and often toss them apples that they love to eat. They are such beautiful creatures to behold. This was the first year in my home and I more than welcome them to eat from my apple tree and huge blackberry bush out back. I have a family of three that visit my yard and a pair. I hope to see some fawns this spring. The deer seem to know I would not harm them either. I speak softly to them as I roam around my yard and when the apples are too high up for them to reach I just go over and shake some branches. Down the apples fall and over the Deer’s roam to enjoy a sweet treat.
Thanks for sharing. We love to have the deer visit our yard, and have even planted some trees for them to have shelter. We have a couple of apple trees, and I have taken bucketsfull to the creek for the deer and other critters that are in the area. I just don’t like to see them run in front of me while driving. Thay are beautiful creatures, but a danger on the highways.
Thanks for the article. it describes perfectly what my neighbor is doing to attract these rats with antlers to our neighborhood. He puts food and salt licks out. They have decimated thousands of dollars in plant material in my yard and many others here for blocks around in spite of hundreds of dollars for repellants. There is a heard of 24 currently. If he were privy to 20+ acres of un landscaped area it would not be an issue. On a 1/4 acre city lot it is a crisis not just for me but many others. Aside from the plant damage, they also bring fleas, deer ticks, and lice into my yard that require me to treat my household pets to the tune of $280 per year plus spraying my yard. If I could discharge firearms here I would have a freezer full of Venison.
Although Bat’s in my pine trees control mosquitoes and skunks take grubs out of my lawn, he also disables traps we put out for groundhogs and chipmunks that are also causing damage to our gardens and house foundations.This is a case of Nature being way out of balance encouraged by one who does not know. Don’t even get me started on his admonishing me for spraying weed killer (his yard is full of dandelions and ground ivy and he goes out there now and then to pull them by hand) He want’s his place “all Natural”
I say, “Good for him!” And I hope he keeps on doing it. As far as treating your animals for fleas, they should be treated regardless. You actually believe if he didn’t feed the deer then you wouldn’t have flea or ticks in your yard? Wrong. You.still would. Don’t forget that nature was here before we were.
Well said Patti!! Imagine having that Jackass “Louann” for a neighbor. Without question, I would sell my house asap if that thing moved into my neighborhood.
WE are nature also! Why don’t you try attracting bears, coyotes, cougars, rattlesnakes, mosquitos, wasps. They are all part of nature and deserve to live. I think I deserve to live and I have to eat to live. I will eat an organic deer any time I can.
Plus, why worry about something so material like a garden? I understand that it may be your hobby. But there are hopefully more important things in your life that you can invest in. As for the traps, you should be able to complain about someone getting on your land and messing with hour stuff in the manor that your neighbor has. I agree that you should protect your foundation. But the flowers in your yard aren’t quite as important as a thousand dollar foundation that’s keeping your house functioning
Get a crossbow
Spray chemicals on dandelions. Dandelions are a wonderful plant. Shame on you. Round up I bet. Worse cancer causing earth killing material out there.
All you need to do to attract deer is start a back yard plant propagation business. They will visit twice a day, pull all your petunias out by the roots, dump over your bucket full of pink pussy willow rooted cuttings, eat every last leaf off your expensive lavender twist redbud, destroy your lilacs and redbuds a few more each day, kill the twisty willows, and knock over as many pots as possible. I want to wring their little necks. I pop them with my pellet gun and they jump up in the air legs flailing, land on the ground and keep on eating. I live in CA where it is very dry this time of year and my place is a gourmet salad for the deer with cold well water on the side. How can I blame them? Any good hints on not so expensive repellents or tricks would be appreciated. My motion sensor rainbird scared the bejeebers out of them the first time or two. Now is “Yeah! A nice cool shower with our gourmet lunch!!”
Cari,
A fence. Fence in what you want to keep. Repellents are fine and work to a degree for a while. But a fence is what really works.
Just live with it. These animals are beautiful. Maybe a greenhouse would keep them out!
Move in to the city then.
Amen!
Amen!
Run a hot wire around the yard. It will pop them a time or two and they will stay out
So buy yourself a brick condo in the city. It isn’t your entire world. Ever think about hitting some kid with the pellets? Get a life.
Very illegal to do this in CA. One 80 year old woman near where I live, almost went to jail for 2 years for ‘feeding’ the deer. But, if it is legal where you live, another way to attract them is to have a water source for them. I can’t keep them away from my fish pond!!! Nothing works!
Try human hair
Most flowers or vegetation that you lovingly plant and care for will attract deer to your yard! Bird feeders and ground level bird baths also will draw in the deer. But once they come, they can eat everything in sight! So beware what you wish for, it may be cheaper to go see them in a park!
All these tip may attract deer but YOU SHOULD CHECK WITH YOUR STATE GAME COMMISSION ABOUT WHAT IS LEGAL IN YOUR STATE
Check with your local Dept. of Natural Resources before setting out a salt block for deer. In IL it is not allowed due to concerns about Chronic Wasting Disease.
I love the Deer we have an Old Apple Tree and the Deer come every year and clean it up ,you never know there was Apples there, ground always clean ,All year round Deers come in the yard ,I am in CT
Your lucky I’ve been told by my neighbors that we have them but I just can’t seem to get out of bed early enough to see for myself….:(
We live in the woods that are populated by deer. They are graceful and beautiful to look at. My addition as to how to attract deer: plant anything that costs more than $25 per plant. They will find it and eat it down to the ground in one day. Forget the advice on what deer don’t like to eat; deer can’t read so they are not aware of what they allegedly don’t like to eat. Just keep in mind the price tag. Which means they won’t eat the weeds that are free.
As lovely as deer look in the wild, I haven’t wanted them eating the kitchen veggies. I planted yew bushes around the kitchen garden, both as a wind block and because I read deer and moose don’t like them, and it’s worked a charm. Haven’t seen a deer (or moose) in the kitchen garden since I brought the bushes in, even just having them laying on site before they were planted seemed to scare the animals off. Before, we had many visits from the deer. Also, getting a Towa helped a lot, since, as Mike says, deer stay away from human smells. This doubles as fertilizer and deer repellant!
good thing you did that
Homemade deer repellents.
http://mikesbackyardnursery.com/2012/11/homemade-deer-repellent/
How to keep deer out of your gardens.
http://www.freeplants.com/deer.htm