Georgia department of natural resources (gadnr) urban wildlife program responds to numerous calls from metro atlanta residents about white-tailed deer becoming entangled in residential fences

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR) received a $837,239 Formula Grant award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Wildlife Restoration and Basic Hunter Education and Safety program (CFDA 15.611) to conduct research on white-tailed deer interactions with common fence designs in suburban areas of metro Atlanta.

The project will utilize information from previous deer-fence conflict incidents and new data on captive deer jumping behavior to guide modifications to fencing designs that can reduce deer entanglements. The GADNR will test these modified fencing designs with captive deer and survey residents to determine preferred fencing options that balance aesthetics, cost, practicality, and effectiveness in preventing deer-fence conflicts. The findings will enable the GADNR to provide residents, municipalities, and homeowners associations with guidance on implementing fencing solutions to mitigate issues related to deer interactions with residential fencing.

These emergencies present concerns for the welfare of deer and the safety of residents and responding personnel. Although fences greater than 10 feet in height are known to prevent deer crossings, little research has been done to examine deer interactions with common fence designs in suburban areas. Understanding where deer-fence conflicts occur in metro atlanta and the design features of fences which are problematic would offer opportunities to engineer improved fences and to modify existing fences to reduce deer entanglements. This study will utilize information from previous deer-fence conflicts and newly new data about jumping behavior of captive deer to guide fence modifications. Additional testing with captive deer jumping modified fencing will be conducted. Finally, residents will be surveyed to determine preferences for fence modifications designed to reduce conflicts with deer relative to aesthetics, costs, practicality, and likelihood of reducing conflicts with deer. Ultimately, gadnr will be equipped with information to provide residents, municipalities, and homeowners associations wishing to reduce issues related to deer interacting with residential fences.