The white-tail deer was hunted nearly to extinction around the turn of the 19th century. Their remarkable recovery since that time can be attributed to factors including the elimination of natural predators (mountain lions and wolves) by early settlers, abundance of favorable habitat provided by young forests and agricultural fields, and protective game laws. The resulting overpopulation of deer has negative consequences for forest resources. The diversity of woody and herbaceous ground cover is reduced as is the diversity of forest songbirds and other wildlife. There is a delay recovery of forests after a disturbance due to deer overbrowsing. Often, commercially valuable tree species have failed to regenerate.

Many differing perspectives and opinions surround the issue of deer overpopulation. White-tails certainly are beautiful animals, and a park-like forest that is easy to walk through results from their browsing of shrubs and seedlings. Therefore, action to reduce the deer herd in Pennsylvania will often be taken when landowners, hunters, legislators, and the general public understand the negative consequences of overpopulation.

Within this demonstration area, deer are expected to have a large impact on the growth of new seedlings and other vegetation harvesting. We also anticipate tree regeneration under different harvesting treatments to vary. To demonstrate the effect of different light levels in combination with deer populations, paired fenced and unfenced regeneration plots have been established in each of the six treatment blocks. Differences in plant species abundance and composition will be monitored.

An electric fence, powered by a solar-charged battery, is used to keep deer from eating tree regeneration. Deer may get in if they jump and contact the fence since they aren't grounded while airborne, but generally the fence is very effective.

Key Points

• Very effective against deer browsing
• Alternative: seedling tubes