Is the Urban Deer Problem Getting Worse in Great Falls?

Is the Urban Deer Problem Getting Worse in Great Falls?

JD
  • Urban deer within neighborhoods in Great Falls seem to be occurring more and more often
  • There are several ways to keep deer from your property including fences and certain plants

Is the Urban Deer Problem Getting Worse in Great Falls?

As the weekends have become a little nicer in Montana and the Electric City, many of us have been in our yards trying to tidy up from the winter.

via GIPHY

This past weekend happened to be one of those that I was out and enjoying a fine day.  But then, the silence was suddenly broken by the frantic sounds of barking from my dogs.  Imagine my surprise to open my front gate to a deer!

94.5 Max Country logo
Get our free mobile app

The Middle of Great Falls, in the Middle of the Day

Yes, a real, live deer in my neighbor's yard.  10 feet away.  Munching nicely on the tulips that had finally sprouted for the year.  The brazen gall of this animal!

READ MORE:  Discover Youth and Adult Flag Football Fun in Great Falls

The doe wandered about, nibbling even more buds from Russian Olive and Crabapple trees.

JD
loading...

After snapping a quick picture, I watched for a few more minutes before finally returning to my now calmed down dogs and peace of the deck.

Tips from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department for Urban Deer

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Department offer a few suggestions for helping with urban deer in our neighborhoods.

  • First and foremost, feeding deer is illegal
  • Ivory soap shaved over and around smaller plants, such as tulips and many annuals, has proven effective as long as you can see the soap.
  • Having a dog with access at night to your yard
  • Fencing is the most effective deterrent for deer around gardens and yards.
  • Consult your nursery for information on deer-resistant plant species that thrive in your vicinity.

9 Ways To Avoid Hitting A Deer In Montana

State Farm Insurance came out with a list of states with the worst odds of hitting an animal, and Montana came in 2nd. There is a 1 in 44 chance, you will hit an animal while living and driving in Montana. The most common months for this to happen are October, November, and December. If you are traveling through the surrounding states, your odds of hitting a deer don't really get any better. North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho are all considered "high risk" or "medium risk" for the odds of hitting an animal.

Here are State Farm Insurance's 9 ways to help avoid hitting a deer.

Gallery Credit: Megan Shaul

Ranking 50 United States by Deer Population

The United States of America is home to one of the world's most impressive, and varied, deer herds. Using data gathered from each state by A-Z-Animals.com, let's count down to the state with the largest population of deer.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

10 Things Guys Should NEVER Say at the Deer Camp

There aren't a whole lot of rules for guys at the deer camp, but a man should always remember that his man card is on the line if he slips and says something like these things.

Gallery Credit: Gary McCoy

Filed Under: Great Falls, Social Post, urban deer
Categories: Articles

More From 94.5 Max Country