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Deer & Elk

Multiple species in the Pacific Northwest
Updated Sep 21, 2022
 
1

Make a Positive Identification

Deer are active at night. You may not see them directly in your neighborhood. Look for signs of deer and elk activity, including browsing damage, footprints, and feces.

Species: Deer
Appearance
Deer browsing in yard

"Deer Browsing" by photo fiddler is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

Deer browse plants. They eat the tips of a wide range of different plants.

Species: Deer Damage
Deer browsing damage on hydrangea

Look for browsing damage from deer on plants in your yard. Deer eat the tips of plant shoots as shown in the photo.

Species: Deer Damage
Deer browsing damage on arborvitae

The photo shows deer-browsing damage on an arborvitae hedge. The deer eat the tips of the lower branches as far up as they can reach.

Species: Deer Damage
Landscape trees with deer rub damage

David Mooter, Prairie Silvics, Inc., Bugwood.org

The photo shows landscape trees damaged by deer rubbing their antlers. Deer rub their antlers against tree trunks to remove the velvet. The rubbing damages the bark of the tree. It exposes the tree’s vascular tissue (cambium).

Species: Deer Track
Deer hoof print in mud

PeteMuller, iStock

Look for deer hoof prints as a sign of deer activity near plants you care about. Deer hooves are split into two toes as shown in the photo.

Species: Deer Feces
Pile of deer droppings

kmatija, IStock

Look for deer droppings as a sign of deer activity near plants you care about. If deer are eating very lush forage, the feces may be softer and in a patty or clump rather than discrete pellets.

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2

Deer & Elk Benefits

  • Deer and elk are part of the natural environment in the Pacific Northwest.
  • As both herbivores and prey, deer and elk are essential animals in the ecosystem. Their feeding activity can directly and indirectly affect many plants and other animals.
  • People enjoy watching deer as part of nature.
 

Deer & Elk Risks

  • They become a nuisance when their browsing damages plants in farms, gardens, and landscapes.
  • They rub their antlers against trees, which damages the bark and cambium (living tissue).

 

Risk Card
Does it cause harm?
Adults & Children
Low
Property
Some
Pets
Some
Annoyance
Low
Environment
Helpful
Action Optional
 
3

Take Action?

Deer and elk are part of the natural environment in the Pacific Northwest. Learn to coexist with them on your property.

Do I need to take action?

  • Take steps to protect vegetable gardens, fruit trees, roses, and other plants for which you can’t tolerate deer damage.
  • If you can tolerate deer browsing on your plants, no action is necessary.

Important safety precautions

  • Don’t feed deer. Feeding them can spread disease and habituate them to people.
  • Don’t approach deer. They are wild animals and can injure you if they feel threatened.

Report aggressive deer & elk to your state’s wildlife agency:

 
4

Prevent Deer & Elk Problems

  • Watch for deer damage on plants you care about.
  • Learn to live with minor damage to your plants.
  • Appreciate deer as an interesting part of the natural environment.
  • If the damage they cause is intolerable, consider fencing them out of the area.
 
5
Solutions for Deer & Elk
  • Install sturdy fencing to exclude deer and elk from plants for which you can’t tolerate their browsing.
  • For areas where you don’t fence them out, select deer-resistant plants to reduce browsing damage.
  • Larger, established plants can usually recover from mild browsing.
  • Dogs left outside at night in a confined area can help keep deer away. Left free, dogs will chase deer, which can be problematic.
  • Deer repellents and deterrents are widely available. Some can help, but they are not a reliable way to keep deer away from your plants.

NEED HELP?

Consider a licensed pest control company. Learn How to Hire a Pest Control Company.
Your local Extension Specialist in Oregon  and other states  can suggest other methods.

Jump to

Method Does it work? Is it safe? Recommendation
A
Build a Deer Fence
Very effective
Low risk
Recommended
B
Select Deer-Resistant Plants
Effective
Low risk
Recommended
C
Leave Dogs Out at Night
Effective
Low risk
Recommended
D
Deterrents
Somewhat effective
Low risk
Recommended
E
Repellent Products
Somewhat effective
Low risk
Recommended
 
A

Build a Deer Fence

Non-Chemical Method

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Build a Deer Fence

Recommended

Sturdy fencing keeps deer and elk away from plants you want to protect, such as the roses in the photo. Fencing is your best option to protect plants in garden, orchard, and landscape areas that can’t tolerate deer damage.

Does it work?
Very effective

In places where deer can get a running start, plan on an overall height of at least 76 inches (6.3 feet) tall to keep deer out.
How much effort?
High effort

Purchasing fencing materials and installing a deer fence requires significant effort and skill. Hire a professional as needed.
What's the risk?
Low risk
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals
NONE

Build deer fences with sturdy materials and quality construction. They will last longer and require less maintenance than fences built with cheaper materials and methods.

Fence ring around an individual fruit tree

Weston Miller, Oregon State University

Build a fencing ring with posts and wire mesh around individual trees or small areas. For best results, ensure the fence is 6 feet tall or more.

Fences around raised garden beds

Fence deer out of vegetable beds. Deer likely won’t want to jump into a small area such as the fenced raised beds shown in the photo.

Plastic mesh fencing with metal posts

  • The photo shows a deer fence with plastic mesh fencing attached to tall metal posts. This will effectively keep deer out of the area.

  • Compared to metal fencing, this option is cheaper for materials and installation. However, plastic fences will likely require more maintenance over time.

Sturdy wire mesh fencing and corner construction

  • The photo shows a sturdy fence with wooden posts, corner braces, and metal wire mesh. Utilize these features for best results.

  • In places where deer can get a running start, plan on an overall height of at least 76 inches (6.3 feet) tall to keep deer out.

  • A common method to achieve this fence height is to use posts that reach the desired height. Install wire mesh fencing that is 5 feet or 6 feet tall. Then use barbed wire strands spaced no more than 5 inches apart to raise the height of the fence as needed.

 
B

Select Deer-Resistant Plants

Non-Chemical Method

"Rosemary Bush" by NatalieMaynor is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Select Deer-Resistant Plants

Recommended

For areas you don’t fence deer out, select deer-resistant plants to minimize damage caused by browsing deer.

Does it work?
Effective

Deer are selective browsers. They prefer some foods over others. Plants deer usually avoid are considered deer-resistant.
How much effort?
Moderate effort

Purchase plant materials. Prepare the soil. Install plants and mulch. Provide regular water to establish new plants.
What's the risk?
Low risk
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals
NONE

For areas where you don’t fence deer out, choose plants that deer prefer not to eat.

Rosemary plant in landscape

"Rosemary Bush" by NatalieMaynor is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Herbs such as rosemary shown in the photo are not preferred food sources for deer. Lavender, thyme, sage, and other mint family plants are also deer-resistant.

Flowering daffodil plants

"Daffodils." by Bernard Spragg. NZ is marked with CC0 1.0.

Deer avoid daffodils, tulips, irises, trillium, and certain other perennial flowers.

Pieris shrubs in landscape

Many evergreen shrubs, including Rhododendron and the Pieris (Andromeda) plants shown in the photo, are deer-resistant.

Ornamental grass in landscape

Many ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus spp. (shown in photo) and Pennisetum orientale are deer-resistant. Sedges (Carex spp.) also are deer-resistant.

Oregon grape leaves and berries

matricul, iStock

Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is also deer-resistant. It is native to the Pacific Northwest. Its flowers attract bees and hummingbirds. The berries are an important food source for animals.

Rugosa rose flowers and leaves

Common roses attract deer. The rugosa rose shown in the photo is more deer-resistant. However, deer may still eat rugusa rose, depending on the variety and how hungry the deer are.

About Deer Browsing

Deer browse plants for food, which means they eat the tips of plant shoots.

Deer eat a variety of vegetation, including woody plants, grasses, fruits, nuts, ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, and vegetables.

A plant can be deer-resistant for several reasons

  • Many of the most deer-resistant plants are poisonous to deer. Some plants are poisonous at all times and others only at certain growth stages.
  • Tastes, preferences, and digestibility of deer food resources change throughout the year.
  • Availability of other, more preferred foods also changes throughout the year.

DEER FOOD CHOICES CHANGE THROUGH THE YEAR

  • If an adequate supply of natural browse is available, deer are less likely to eat ornamental plants.
  • When the natural food supply is low, deer are more likely to damage your plants. They may cause heavy browsing damage.
  • A large deer population can create competition for food, causing deer to eat many plants they normally avoid.
  • Deer damage on plants usually occurs from late fall through early spring. They often have adequate food supplies during the rest of the year.

Poisonous Plant Alert

Japanese yew leaves and berries

gaguri_1, iStock

Avoid Japanese Yew for Areas with Elk

Japanese yew (Taxus cuspidata) is toxic to all animals to varying degrees. There are reported elk deaths in Idaho from Japanese yew poisoning. White-tail deer (not common in Western Oregon) are much less susceptible to yew poisoning than elk.

If you live in an area where elk live, avoid planting Japanese yew to be safe.

 
C

Leave Dogs Out at Night

Non-Chemical Method

Willowpix, iStock

Leave Dogs Out at Night

Recommended

Dogs can be effective deer deterrents. They must be able to run loose within a confined area. Invisible fences keep dogs confined to an area. The photo shows flagging to mark the perimeter wire of an invisible fence.

Dogs barking at night might disturb your neighbors.

Does it work?
Effective

When the dog gets close, a special collar gives the dog a mild shock. Dogs quickly learn the boundaries. These devices don’t work with all dogs.
How much effort?
Moderate effort

Purchase invisible fence materials and install the fence. You must then train your dog to stay inside the invisible fence.
What's the risk?
Low risk

Dogs left out at night may be preyed on by a predator, including coyotes or mountain lions.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals
NONE
 
D

Deterrents

Non-Chemical Method

"Image" by miheco is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

Deterrents

Recommended

  • Motion-activated sprinklers and similar devices work to scare deer away.

  • A burst of water is activated by a sensor that detects motion.

  • Other devices emit sounds that scare deer away temporarily.

 

Does it work?
Somewhat effective

Deer become habituated to scare devices. Change locations and/or devices as needed to protect your plants.
How much effort?
Low effort

Purchase and install deterrent device. Routinely move it to new locations for best results.
What's the risk?
Low risk
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals
NONE
 
E

Repellent Products

Chemical Method: Use with caution

"Deer problems? Deer repellent!" by Anne Helmond is marked with CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Repellent Products

Recommended

  • Some deer-repellent products use hot pepper oil. Deer may avoid freshly sprayed plants. There’s limited information about the efficacy of hot pepper oil to deter deer.

  • Other repellent products use predator urine such as mountain lion or other scents to repel deer. However, they may draw curious coyotes or mountain lions, so they are not recommended.

Does it work?
Somewhat effective

  • Most repellent products have not been tested for effectiveness or for how long they keep deer away.

  • Deer repellents are most effective if used several times in the spring. The goal is to change their foraging behavior when the does’ (female deer) nutritional needs are the highest.
How much effort?
Moderate effort

You’ll need to reapply repellents at least every 1–2 weeks and after heavy rains.
What's the risk?
Low risk

  • Avoid getting active ingredient capsaicin (hot pepper oil) in your eyes or on your skin. Capsaicin burns eyes and skin.

  • Use caution when handling. Wash your hands after handling.
Possible risk of exposure or harm from chemicals
Using animal repellents includes some amount of risk. The lowest risk comes with using alternative methods.

You may be exposed to an animal repellent if you:

  • Get it on your skin
  • Breathe it in
  • Eat or smoke afterward without washing hands
  • Bring it inside on your shoes or clothes

Follow directions closely to reduce risk.
ALL RODENTS & WILDLIFE

Content provided by Weston Miller.

 Peer reviewed by OSU Department of Horticulture.

Photo of Weston Miller

Weston Miller

Project Founder and Content Writer

Weston Miller served as Community and Urban Horticulture faculty for Oregon State University Extension Service for Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Weston is an author for content for this website. He developed funding partnerships with Portland area agencies to initiate and build out the Solve Pest Problems website focused on this goals:

Deer & Elk References

Living with Wildlife: Deer and Elk  
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Deer-resistant plants for Central Oregon  
OSU Extension Service

Deer-Resistant Plants  (PDF)
Michigan State University

Manage Wildlife Conflicts in Your Home and Garden  
OSU Extension Service