Sometimes seeing deer in your yard can make you a little nervous, especially if they are fearless enough to get close to the house. Are there risks to having them around, and are wild deer dangerous in your yard? Most people would immediately say "of course not", but is that really true? There are a few things you do need to look out for and take precautions against when it comes to free-roaming wild deer.
Deer Aggression
Deer aren't always as meek as we expect, and there can be a little risk having deer too close at the wrong times of the year. For male deer, that would be mating season and for does, it's in the spring when they are protecting young fawns. The bucks are the ones more likely to take a run at you if you are too close, but don't discount the females either. Same would go for any outdoor pets, especially dogs that are a little too curious about the deer.
Watch out for incoming deer that start to stomp or scrape the ground with their hooves and lowering their heads at you. Don't challenge them, and just slowly back away while keeping your eyes down.
While this is a possibility, chances are you won't see too many violent wild deer confrontations in your yard. Just be aware that it could happen.
Disease Carried By Deer
And then there are potential dangers from deer that you can't see. All wild animals are prone to carrying a wide range of possible diseases. Rabies is one that usually comes to mind first. While deer can get rabies, it's very rare and almost certainly wouldn't be spread to you, your family or your pets unless you somehow got bitten by an infected deer.
A more likely danger is that a regularly visiting group of wild deer can bring deer ticks along with them, and deer ticks are known to carry Lyme disease. Though it's an indirect risk, you should take precautions against ticks if you frequently see deer around. Wear long sleeves, pants and stay out of long grass. Check pets for ticks whenever they come in from outside too.
Landscaping Damage Caused By Deer
Deer can also be dangerous if you have a thriving vegetable or flower garden that gets their attention. It's not quite the same sort of danger as being attacked by an angry buck, but if you wake up one morning and find that your garden has been razed, it can be traumatic. They can also peel bark from trees, push over fencing or knock your garden furniture around if they start exploring too close to the house.
Any one of these reasons can be enough to want to ensure that local deer give your property a wide berth. Loud noises can sometimes scare them off but that is a difficult approach if you are not home at dawn or dusk (when deer are most active). A scented product that repels deer both day and night is a smarter way to go to protect your property as well as your family.
