Peaceful Coexistence with White-tailed Deer and Humane Deer Strategies in The United States
 |
© Autumn Buck by Robert Wavra |
SUCCESSFUL NON-LETHAL DEER STRATEGIES IN THE
UNTIED STATES THAT INCLUDE BOTH PZP AND SURGICAL STERILIZATION.
In 2011, Wildlife Rescue Inc. established the first non-lethal white-tailed deer program in the history of Maryland on private land in a residential community. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources approved surgical sterilization as a deer management technique. In February 2015, Wildlife Rescue Inc. performed the first Deer Spay Program in Maryland.
A deer sterilization project starting in 2013 was approved by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to control the deer population at a retirement community in San Jose California.
In 2014, The National Institutes of Health embarked on a non-lethal deer management plan to neuter adult females on their Bethesda Campus. By 2017, their deer herds reached a healthier size.
In 2015 Local Veterianrian Dr. Jeffrey Newman, Owner and veterinarian of Caring Hands Animal Hospital in Northern Virginia, participated in the Surgical Deer Program in Fairfax City, Virginia.
In 2015, Dr. Brad Hilldabrand, DVM, (Oklahoma State University 1979) volunteered with White Buffalo Inc. to help sterilize white-tailed deer in East Hampton, New York.
In 2016, Global Wildlife Diversity Specialist Dave Pauli and Kali Pereira began deer contraception research in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. In 2022, Kali Pereira and Allen Rutberg PhD, Director of the Center for Animals and Public Policy at the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, presented their findings at the 9th International Conference on Wildlife Fertility Control.
SCIENCE BASED
HUMANE DEER MANAGEMENT AND PZP RESOURCES
NEWS ARTICLES
Two beautiful articles by The Humane Gardener, Nancy Lawson, on living with wildlife humanely, favoring peaceful coexistence with deer:
2. Deer Eat This Garden (and it flourishes)
On February 24, 2025 Document: The Falls Church City Council adopted (TO25-01) City Code Chapter 28, Miscellaneous Offenses to ban hunting activities within the municipal boundaries of the City of Falls Church.
The ordinance was brought forth by Maria Rojas, Executive Assistant to the Falls Church City Manager, to prevent safety risks associated with hunting in densely populated areas and remove outdated references to lawful hunting practices. The motion passed unanimously 6-0. The adopted ordinance will be submitted to the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources for inclusion in the Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest by the May 1, 2025 deadline.
WORLD LEADING AND LOCAL ANIMAL RIGHTS AND WELFARE ORGANIZATION POSITION STATEMENTS ON PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE AND HUMANE DEER MANAGEMENT
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
HUMANE SOCIETY OF HURON VALLEY
ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE OF ARLINGTON
ANIMAL PROTECTION LEAGUE OF NEW JERSEY
TOWNSHIP OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY
ADVOCATES FOR MICHIGAN WILDLIFE
About the Artist: Robert J. Wavra is a self-taught artist. He developed his talent and style over many years of painting. National and international private art collectors have acquired his work. His wildlife and nature artwork illuminates and reveals the beauty of the natural world. Visit The Art of Robert Wavra
