Deer-activated bioacoustic frightening device deters white-tailed deer

Authors

Aaron M. Hildreth, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Scott E. Hygnstrom, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kurt C. VerCauteren, USDA-APHIS-Wildlife ServicesFollow

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Hildreth, A.M., S.E. Hygnstrom, K.C. VerCauteren. 2013. Deer-activated bioacoustic frightening device deters white-tailed deer. Human-Wildlife Interactions 7(1):107-113.

Comments

U.S. government work.

Abstract

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) damage urban and suburban plantings, as well as crops and stored feed. We tested the efficacy of a frightening device that played pre-recorded distress calls of adult female white-tailed deer when activated by an infrared motion sensor for a period of 13 days. This deer-activated bioacoustic frightening device reduced deer entry into protected sites by 99% (δ = -558, P = 0.09) and bait consumption by 100% (δ = -75, P = 0.06). The frightening device that we evaluated demonstrated potential for reducing damage in disturbed environments and agricultural settings.