Peaceful Coexistence with White-tailed Deer and Humane Deer Strategies in The United States
 |
© Autumn Buck by Robert Wavra |
SUCCESSFUL
NON-LETHAL DEER-ENVIRONMENT STRATEGIES
IN THE UNITED STATES AND AROUND THE WORLD
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. The Animal Welfare Institute contributed funding for this Deer Spay Project.
Below is a 27 minute video “Veterinary Care and Procedures in Deer Surgical Sterilization” by Dr. Newman, DVM at the Botstiber Institute for Wildlife Fertility Control conference.
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.
In 2016 the municipality of Oak Bay in British Columbia, Canada, began a scientifically rigorous, non-lethal method for urban deer population control using immuno-contraception. In the Fall of 2026, the District of Oak Bay will be continuing its Urban Deer Project in partnership with HERD Wildlife Management and Consulting and will be administering immuno-contraceptive (IC) to female deer throughout Oak Bay.
In 2016, White Buffalo initiated the first large-scale deer vasectomy program in the United States. By 2025, The deer population in Staten Island, New York dropped 41% from 2,166 deer in 2016 to an estimated 1,284. Since the program began deer-vehicle collisions fell 83% since the program began and fawn births decreased.
SCIENCE BASED
DEER-ENVIRONMENT STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES
Advocates for Michigan Wildlife provides Deer Quick Guides and Deer Research to prevent lethal solutions and promote non-lethal alternatives to resolve deer-environment concerns.
A Case for Non-Lethal Deer Management in the UK (research published January 2026) by Francesca Cenci, Emma Doherty, Kate Fox, Elisa Gottardi, Alexis Strang, Luke Swindell and Sally Westworth. For more information on Compassionate Conservation visit Verify Humanity.
ARTICLES AND NEWS
LAWS
On April 7, 2026, the Township of Montclair New Jersey revised Chapter 82, Article IX, establishing a binding municipal policy of peaceful coexistence with native wildlife and officially prohibiting lethal wildlife management. Ordinance O-26-07 passed on April 7, 2026. The law universally bans organized culling, sharpshooting, and hunting on township properties.
On February 24, 2025, 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 is posted on the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website.
DEER FERTILITY CONTROL
Contraceptive Vaccine Reduces Fertility in Animals to Address Wildlife Overpopulation (March 3, 2026) Purdue University researchers Dr. Raluca Ostafe and Dr. Harm HogenEsch developed a patent-pending vaccine that induces a robust and long-lasting immune response and infertility in female mammals to address animal overpopulation. The patent-pending vaccine reduced fertility 59% to 67% in various experimental groups.
Beyond the Bow & Bullets: Finding Humane Solutions for Deer in a Shared World by Cynthia Fain embodies the necessity for compassion and science to intersect.
LYME DISEASE
A 35-year study published by The Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies reveals that the risk of human exposure is not related to the abundance of white-tailed deer. Lyme disease risk is shaped by a web of ecological interactions.
The ecology of Lyme disease: Long-term data, surprises, and a synthesis (research published August 17, 2026) by Richard S. Ostfeld, Shannon L. LaDeau, Kelly Oggenfuss, Charles D. Canham, Michael Fargione, Raymond J. Winchcombe, Felicia Keesing
GARDENING AND ENVIRONMENT
Nancy Lawson is a Master Gardener and Master Naturalist. As a nature writer, habitat consultant, and founder of The Humane Gardener, she pioneers creative wildlife-friendly landscaping methods to live with wildlife humanely, favoring peaceful coexistence with deer.
2. Deer Eat This Garden (and it flourishes)
Hair salons in Europe are dumping their clippings into forests and it’s miraculous by Heather Wake (May 19, 2026) reveals how recycled hair supports plant growth and naturally deters deer from young saplings.
How Do Deer Survive Harsh Winter Weather? by Chris Whittier (January 30, 2018) Chris Whittier (DVM, PhD) Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University explains how deer use their diets to survive in the bitter cold.
DEER COLLISION PREVENTION
How 1 Mile of Fencing Became a Wildlife Crossing Success Story in Virginia by Chloe Cohen (August 24, 2026) Virginia is in the top 10 of wildlife-vehicle collisions. In 2016, Virginia added fencing to wildlife crossings with great results.
Avoid Hitting Deer and Other Animals at Night With Your Car by Humane World For Animals Collision prevention begins with you! Lower your and fellow drivers' risk of fatal collisions with wildlife or pets while on the road.
Researchers develop world's first AI roadside technology to prevent animal–vehicle collisions by University of Sydney (August 6, 2025) Cutting-edge sensing and AI technology combined with behavioral science can identify multiple species.
Young Minds Devise A New Way To Prevent Roadkill by Todd Lassa (September 24, 2024) Four high school girls engineer Project Deer technology to save wildlife, human lives, and state resources.
WORLD LEADING AND LOCAL ANIMAL RIGHTS AND WELFARE ORGANIZATION POSITION STATEMENTS ON HUMANE STRATEGIES AND PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE WITH DEER
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
