Controlling Deer Damage in Tennessee
White-tailed deer are found in a variety of habitats throughout Tennessee. They are beautiful and fascinating animals that provide many aesthetic and recreational benefits.
Deer populations have increased over the past several years because of restocking efforts, appropriate harvest regulations and favorable habitat changes. In the early 1900’s, there were less than 1000 deer in the entire state. The Tennessee Game & Fish Commission, now known as the Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), began restocking efforts in the 1950’s. Those efforts continued through 1985. Tennessee now boasts a deer population that is approaching 1,000,000 animals. Over 200,000 deer are harvested annually in Tennessee.
The white-tailed deer is of great economic importance to Tennessee citizens. Deer hunters annually spend in excess of $100 million on equipment, food, lodging, transportation and other related expenses. The dollars generated from the sale of deer licenses support conservation efforts for deer and other species.
Unfortunately, deer can have a negative impact as well. The cost of damage resulting from deer-automobile collisions is one example. Deer also have the potential to cause damage to field crops, forages, vegetable gardens, landscape plantings, Christmas trees, fruit trees and forest regeneration. The level of damage is often associated with the size of the local deer population and in certain instances with the severity of the winter weather.
The TWRA manages the state's deer population for a variety of interest groups. Their deer management objective is to stabilize the population at a level that will provide maximum recreational opportunities while minimizing conflicts between deer and people.
Most landowners enjoy having deer on their property, despite real or potential damage. This fact, coupled with the economic and aesthetic values of deer, suggests that a combination of herd control through hunting and a reasonable effort at damage control will serve everyone's needs. It is important to remember that success in deer damage control is measured by the reduction of damage to tolerable levels, not the elimination of damage.
Population management through hunting is necessary to maintain acceptable population levels. However, even with generous bag limits and expanded hunting seasons, deer herds continue to grow in some areas. A lack of adequate hunting pressure contributes to this problem. Although hunting is the most practical and economical way to regulate deer, other control methods, such as repellents, fencing, and kill permits may be necessary.
Recruiting effective hunters
• Invite hunters who are safe, dependable and capable. Remember, their efforts will determine the success or failure of the hunting program.
• Require hunters to apply for bonus antlerless-only permits.
• Specify that any hunter with a bonus permit harvest a doe before bagging a buck. Give hunters the option of bagging a large buck if it wanders by, but let them know that they should pass up ordinary antlered deer in favor of does. When possible, an adult doe should be selected from a group of does and fawns. Most hunters will readily accept the opportunity under such conditions.
• Consider leasing your land to a local hunting club and develop a contract with clearly defined responsibilities and actions.
Shooting permits - the last resort
The TWRA may issue shooting permits (Authorizations to Destroy Deer Causing Crop Damage) to landowners in cases of extreme losses where there are no other reasonable alternatives for controlling deer damage. That’s where I come into the picture. If you are experiencing intolerable damage to property or crops, please contact me and I can help you obtain a shooting permit to help control the deer population on your property. I possess rifle mounted night vision optics for night hunting of deer. I can also provide technical assistance and advice on how to help reduce deer damage in the future.
