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Natural History

Mule deer stand 3 to 3.5 feet high, weigh 100 to 400 pounds, have a short black-tipped tail, have large ears, and males have 'Y' branched antlers.  White-tailed also stand 3 to 3.5 feet high, weigh 75 to 300 pounds, have a relatively long tail that is white on the underside, have relatively small ears, and males have antlers that extend from a central beam.

Through progressive wildlife management, Colorado's deer population is estimated to have increased from 6,000 animals in 1900 to 600,000 in 1990.  This number of deer likely is approaching the carrying capacity of the habitat.

Adult female white-tailed deer and mule deer usually produce two fawns each spring although triplets are not unusual, especially for white-tails.

During harsh winters and when deer become too numerous, many deer become weak, making them more vulnerable to predators, and others die of starvation.

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Benefits

Deer provide enjoyment for wildlife viewers, photographers, hikers, nature enthusiasts, tourists, and hunters.

Deer license sales in Colorado in 1990 generated $14,000,000 which was used to fund the management of game, non-game, and threatened and endangered wildlife.

Direct and indirect expenditures on deer and other hunting generated $383,000,000, for the economy of Colorado during 2001.

Deer are the primary food for mountain lions and are an important food for other predators such as coyotes.

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Conflicts

Deer can cause damage by browsing on trees and shrubs in orchards, shelterbelts, nurseries, and ornamental plantings and by feeding on haystacks, corn, and vegetable crops.  The Colorado Division of Wildlife has paid $600,000-$1,000,000 annually from 1979 to 1989 for prevention and compensation primarily for damage by deer and elk.

Annually, about 7,000 deer collide with automobiles creating over $3,000,000 damage to vehicles in Colorado.

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Solutions to Conflicts with Deer

Eight foot tall solid or net-wire fencing and one to five wire electric fencing can exclude deer.  One electric wire baited with 50% peanut butter and 50% peanut oil can exclude deer from small areas, but 5 wires many be needed for large areas or if the food source is very desirable.

Circular wire or Vexar plastic mesh tree protectors can be used to protect individual plants.

Frightening with gas exploders or tethered dogs may provide temporary relief.

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Repellents can be used to deter browsing by deer.  Research at Colorado State University determined the relative effectiveness of several repellents:

Tallow-based bars of soaps have been more effective than non-tallow bars of soap.

Simulated rainfall slightly decreased the effectiveness of the Big Game Repellent, coyote urine, and the chicken egg solution.  When deer were moderately to very hungry, even the best repellents failed to deter all browsing.

Deer warning whistles have not been shown effective for reducing deer-vehicle collisions.

Live-trapping and removing deer usually is not feasible because of significant labor and expense.

Recreational hunting can reduce deer numbers, reduce winter mortality, and can reduce conflicts.

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Deer Resistant Plants

Some suggestions:  (Researched by J. Knopf, for Rocky Mountain Xeriscape Deer Resistant Plants 1989)
 

Note:  Deer will eat a wide variety of plants and will eat even these suggested varieties if weather, food conditions, overpopulation, etc. become adverse.  Those marked with a * deer generally will eat. 

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Additional information:

• Chronic Wasting Disease
• Chronic Wasting Disease Fact Sheet
• Deer-Mammals Guide
• Deer-resistant ornamental plant
• Help the Deer -- Don't Feed Them
• Newborn Wildlife Usually Better Off Left Alone
• Preventing Deer Damage
• Prevention and Control of Wildlife Damage
• Resistance of Trees and Shrubs to Deer Damage
• Resistance of Ornamentals to Deer Damage

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