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.
Recommended Citation
Hildreth, Aaron M.; Hygnstrom, Scott E.; and VerCauteren, Kurt C.
(2013)
"Deer-Activated Bioacoustic Frightening Device Deters White-Tailed Deer,"
Human–Wildlife Interactions: Vol. 7:
Iss.
1, Article 11.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.26077/12mz-1p38
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/hwi/vol7/iss1/11
