The US States Most Affected By Deer Invasions On Their Property
New study reveals America’s top states for deer invasions—and how to keep them out
Key Findings:
- New study reveals which US states suffer the most problems from deer overpopulation
- West Virginia has the highest number of deer-related problems, followed by Montana in second and Maine in third
- Expert gives tips to keep your garden safe from deer and explains why responsible management of deer populations can keep the problem under control
Deer might be cute from a distance, but for many homeowners across the U.S., they’re becoming an increasingly destructive problem. From ravaging gardens and damaging property to causing dangerous vehicle collisions, deer invasions are a serious concern in some states. But where is this issue most severe?
Doug O’Connor and the team at DeerFencing.com, a business that specializes in providing high-quality, nearly invisible deer fencing solutions, conducted a study to determine which U.S. states are most affected by deer invasions.
They analyzed deer population data alongside Google search interest related to deer problems, to give each state a Deer Invasion Impact Score out of 100. The results reveal which states are struggling the most with these unwelcome visitors.
Table 1: Top 10 States Most Impacted by Deer Invasion
| Rank | State | Deer Invasion Impact Score | Deer Population | Google Search Interest (1-100) |
| 1 | West Virginia | 95.9 | 800,000 | 100 |
| 2 | Montana | 89.3 | 449,475 | 92 |
| 3 | Maine | 79.2 | 320,000 | 78 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 77.1 | 1,400,000 | 70 |
| 5 | Michigan | 76.5 | 2,000,000 | 68 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 75.9 | 1,510,000 | 68 |
| 7 | Connecticut | 70.3 | 110,000 | 68 |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 68.1 | 100,000 | 65 |
| 9 | Minnesota | 67.0 | 1,000,000 | 56 |
| 10 | Maryland | 66.5 | 230,000 | 60 |
* Alaska is not included in the study due to incomplete data on search behavior.
** States with tied deer populations are ordered by the search interest and vice versa.
1. West Virginia
West Virginia takes the top spot with an impact score of 95.9, and it’s no surprise. With 800,000 deer roaming the state, its relatively small size means a high deer density.
“Urban expansion and deforestation have driven deer closer to human homes, increasing the frequency of deer-related issues,” says Doug. West Virginians are also actively searching for solutions online, with a maximum Google search interest score of 100.
2. Montana
Montana ranks second with an overall impact score of 89.3 despite having a significantly lower deer population of 449,475. However, Montana has a strong hunting culture, which sometimes influences deer movement toward urban spaces where they are less likely to be targeted.
3. Maine
With 320,000 deer, Maine is no stranger to deer invasions. “Harsh winters force deer to seek food and shelter in residential areas, making backyard gardens prime targets,” says Doug. Maine’s mix of rural and suburban landscapes creates the perfect environment for deer-human interactions, reflected in its impact score of 79.2.
4. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has 1.4 million deer, contributing to its overall impact score of 77.1. Expanding suburbs and shrinking natural habitats push deer into backyards, golf courses, and even city streets. With a high number of vehicle collisions involving deer, residents are actively searching for preventive measures, leading to a search interest score of 70.
5. Michigan
With 2 million deer, Michigan has the largest deer population among the top 10 states. Its problem is primarily tied to its high deer density, and a search interest score of 68 suggests Michigan residents are eager to find ways to mitigate the issue.
“Habitat fragmentation due to urbanization forces deer into residential areas, resulting in destroyed gardens and increased health concerns from tick-borne diseases,” says Doug. Its impact score overall was 76.5.
How Are States Managing The Deer Problem?
Many states have implemented wildlife management strategies to curb deer-related issues. Some notable approaches include:
- Hunting Regulations: States like Pennsylvania and Michigan have adjusted hunting seasons and quotas to control deer populations.
- Urban Deer Management Programs: Connecticut and Maryland have introduced controlled culling programs to manage deer in suburban areas.
- Deer Fencing Initiatives: Some local governments provide subsidies for deer-proof fencing in highly affected areas.
Expert Advice On Deer Management
“If you want to keep deer from invading your yard, start with a 7- to 8-foot-high fence, which is usually enough to deter them. Planting deer-resistant plants like lavender, marigolds, and daffodils can also help, as these are less appealing to deer.
“Additionally, scent deterrents—such as sprays made from garlic, soap, or predator urine—can keep deer at bay. Finally, getting rid of the things that attract deer – like pet food, birdseed, or fallen fruit – will make your yard less inviting to these unwanted guests.”
Story credit: Deer Fencing website (https://www.deerfencing.com/).
About Deer Fencing
DeerFencing.com specializes in providing high-quality, nearly invisible deer fencing solutions designed to effectively exclude or contain deer. They offer a range of products, including poly and metal deer fences, complete fence kits, gates, posts, and accessories catering to both residential and commercial needs. They assist customers in selecting the appropriate fencing materials for their specific projects with over 30 years of experience.
Methodology
How Deer Fencing Ranked The States
To generate a ranking, Deer Fencing defined a metric called the Deer Invasion Impact Score, which was based on deer population statistics and Google search queries.
Deer Invasion Impact Score Calculation
For the Deer Invasion Impact Score, the following weighting system was applied:
– Deer population*: one weight
– Google search interest concerning protection against deer invasion: double weight
The search included the following terms:
- “how to keep deer out of yard”
- “deer repellent”
- “protect garden from deer”
- “deer proof plants”
- “deer fence”
- “deer damage”
The Deer Invasion Impact Score ranges from 0 to 100. A higher score indicates that the state is most affected by deer invasion (linear increase in deer population and concerns about deer invasion).
* Deer population data was skewed, so a logarithm transformation was performed before it was normalized.
How The Data Was Sourced
Deer Population: https://wildlifeinformer.com/deer-population-by-state/
The article is a curated collection of deer populations from different wildlife, hunting game, and outdoor statistics websites in the 50 U.S. states. The data includes statistics on multiple types of deer, including white-tailed deer, mule deer, and black-tailed deer. Deer Fencing used the combined number of all members in its methodology. Population estimates are believed to be accurate but not guaranteed as of 02/2024.
Google Search Interest
Data was taken from Google Trends.
Search Terms:
- “deer repellent”
- “protect garden from deer”
- “deer proof plants”
- “deer fence”
- “deer damage”
Time Frame: 2 years, from 2023 to 2024.
Deer Fencing combined multiple search terms to get the Interest per state metric in their analysis. This metric does not represent absolute search volume. Instead, Google Trends has already normalized the data on a scale from 0 to 100. The scale represents the percentage of searches for that topic as a proportion of all searches at that time and location.
For example, using the example term “download instagram” gives the Interest of this keyword for each available state in the US. Florida might be the top state (with Interest 100), while Indiana has the lowest rank (with Interest 10). If there is no interest, the state will not be shown, so in this case, the state scores 0.
***********************************************
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
