DFG News Archive

Recent Deer Attacks Highlight the Importance of Keeping Wildlife at a Distance

The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) is reminding Californians that feeding deer is a dangerous and illegal practice. Three incidents this month have provided examples of the harm that can befall people, wildlife, and pets when humans feed and allow deer to become too comfortable around them.

“This is the time of year when buck deer are ‘in the rut,’ or exhibiting breeding behavior and becoming more aggressive,” said DFG Director Ryan Broddrick. “Californians need to be especially careful that they do not break the law and compromise their own safety by providing an available food source for these animals. While deer are usually not a threat to public safety, problems can occur when they lose their fear of humans.”

All three events since late September followed the same pattern: humans fed deer that then became aggressive and attacked when humans came too close to them. In San Diego County a man died several weeks after he was gored in the mouth by a buck he surprised while working in his backyard. Other incidents included a buck attacking a couple in their garden in Mendocino County, and a buck in Orinda attacking two dogs, killing one of them. In all of these incidents the deer involved was eventually killed by DFG or federal wildlife officials.

“These events are extremely unusual but not unheard of. Whenever deer begin to associate people with food, problems are guaranteed to occur,” said Craig Stowers, coordinator of DFG’s deer program. “Deer, even the small ones, can be quite aggressive and they are much stronger than people imagine. Like most species of wildlife, they are best viewed at a distance – it’s safer for everyone and everything involved.”

People can avoid these incidents by not feeding deer and by deer-proofing their property. To assist in those efforts, DFG has produced a publication, “A Gardener’s Guide to Preventing Deer Damage,” available for download at www.dfg.ca.gov/hunting/deer/gardenersguide.pdf. The 24-page document features chapters on deer-resistant plants, deer repellents and fencing suggestions. In addition, deer are a focus of DFG’s “Keep Me Wild” campaign. The campaign’s Web site is www.keepmewild.org.