Living With Wildlife Series
Living with Deer in Montgomery County, Maryland
Year |
Number |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 1,343 |
| 1995 | 1,244 |
| 1996 | 1,776 |
| 1997 | 1,705 |
| 1998 | 1,774 |
| 1999 | 1,891 |
| 2000 | 2,033 |
| 2001 | 2,003 |
| 2002 | 2,127 |
| 2003 | 2,047 |
| 2004 | 1,997 |
| 2005 | 1,969 |
| 2006 | 1,951 |
| 2007 | 1,867 |
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Deer-Auto Collisions Reported by the Montgomery County Police Department *These numbers do not include the many accidents that go unreported. Actual numbers are possibly 2-3 times the numbers shown above. |
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Deer and Automobiles
Driving in Deer Country | What if a Deer Jumps in Front of your Car
Deer are back in Montgomery County to stay and we are going to have to learn to live with our new neighbors. Here are some ways to help reduce and prevent deer problems The chart at right shows Deer-auto accidents in the County have increased dramatically in the past several years.
Implementing Montgomery County's Deer Management Plan will help reduce deer-human conflicts but it can never eliminate them. For more information visit: Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
Press Release:
Seasonal Deer Movement Raises Risk of Vehicle Collisions (October 3, 2005)
Driving in Deer Country
The most important thing drivers can do to reduce the chances of an accident with a deer is to drive the speed limit. At night, reduce speeds below the limit, especially in rain, snow or fog. Here are some other things to keep in mind as a driver.
- Deer are most active at dawn and dusk.
- Watch for deer where roads pass through wooded or rural areas.
- Deer crossing signs indicate areas where heavily used deer trails cross roadways.
- Slow down and watch for the eye-shine of deer near the road edges.
- Be especially cautious during seasons of high deer activity including - October to January during the breeding season, and May and June when yearlings are seeking new territories.
- Deer usually travel in groups. If you see a deer cross the road, slow down and use caution. More are likely to follow.
What do I do if a deer suddenly jumps in front of the car?
Of course every case is different, but there are a few things to consider if you find yourself in this situation. The most important thing to remember is to maintain control of your car. Apply the brakes in a controlled manner.
Deer are quick and agile animals. It is more likely that they will leap out of your path than you will be able to slow down and steer around them. Most serious injuries occur when a driver skids out of control and leaves the road or, worst of all, swerves into oncoming traffic.
Obviously these circumstances arise quickly allowing very little time to react. Try to think ahead. When you see a deer crossing sign, think about what you would do if you suddenly had a deer jump into the road. Mentally practice keeping a cool head and reacting in a controlled fashion. If it should happen one day you will be more likely to react appropriately.
back to topDamage to Crops & Gardens
Forest understory with healthy growth of shrubs and ground cover.Damage prevention alternatives for farmers and home owners include mechanical noise-producing devices, chemical repellents and fencing. In addition, home owners may choose to landscape their property with plants that are not favored by deer (a list is available from the sources listed below). Farmers can open their land to hunters to reduce the number of deer on their property.
Citizens can report deer-related problems by calling 301-949-2909/4149. Information about controlling deer damage on your property is available through the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Service at 301-590-9638 or the Nuisance Animal Information line at 1(877) 463-6497 (Maryland Residents Only).
Understory and ground cover severely impacted by deer. A browse line is evident.Damage to Natural Areas
White-tailed deer are plant eaters (herbivores) and feed primarily on leaves, buds and twigs. An average deer eats six-to-eight pounds of plants a day or 1 1/4 tons per year. An overabundance of deer can have a profound impact on native vegetation and wildlife habitat. Preferred foods, some of which are rare plants like orchids and lilies, may completely disappear from the landscape. Understory and ground cover severely impacted by deer. A browse line is evident.
Areas of extreme overpopulation may begin to show a "browse line." Even in mid-summer, there is little vegetation on the forest floor, and the trees and shrubs look as if they have been neatly "clipped" of all leaves up to about five feet. When this happens, young trees are not produced, and habitat for nesting forest birds and other wildlife is destroyed. The only way to reduce the negative impacts of deer in natural areas is to reduce the deer population.
Workshops on Controlling Deer Damage to Home Landscapes
Part of the County's Deer Management Plan includes a program of workshops for homeowners on how to prevent deer damage around the home.
Programs run periodically through the year at various locations throughout the County. Co-sponsored by the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Service Master Gardeners and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Natural Resources Stewardship Section, these workshops provide homeowners with the latest information on effective uses of repellents, fencing and vegetation management as well as educational information on other deer impacts and solutions.Workshops are promoted through local papers, libraries and mailings.
For information on upcoming workshops call the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Service at 301-590-9638.
Damage prevention alternatives for farmers and home owners include mechanical noise-producing devices, chemical repellents and fencing. In addition, home owners may choose to landscape their property with plants that are not favored by deer (a list is available from the sources listed below). Farmers can open their land to hunters to reduce the number of deer on their property.
- Citizens can report deer-related problems by calling 301-949-2909/4149.
- Information about controlling deer damage on your property is available through the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Service at 301-590-9650 or
- The Nuisance Animal Information line at 1(877) 463-6497 (Maryland Residents Only).
Last update: August 1, 2008
