Mammals 105 Chapter 5
Deer
The White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, common from Canada to Peru, is probably the last animal that comes to mind when thinking about problematic visitors to the pond, but where they are common, there can be issues.
By USDA photo by Scott Bauer [Public domain],via Wikimedia Commons
Typically deer will only come to a backyard water feature for a refreshing drink of water; however, they have been known to occasionally munch on a few varieties of aquatic plants. The greatest damage from the presence of deer is generally caused by their feet. Older polypropylene and PVC liners, brittle with age and exposure, are easily punctured by razor-sharp hooves, though the newer style of thicker, more supple EPDM liners, which tend to give a little under the weight of a deer, are less susceptible to puncture, especially if well-protected under a layer of gravel. Nearly all documented damage involves the deer being startled and “jumping” or “bounding” away, thereby exerting much more pressure on the liner material and causing the damage.
To avoid this type of damage, try not to startle or scare the deer away from the water feature. This will only encourage them to run and possibly create a greater chance of damage as they make depart in haste. Just as with the wading predators, making pond walls deeper and steeper will discourage the deer from entering the pond while drinking. In shallow streams, lining the stream bottoms with a layer of 3-4” of rocks and gravel will assist in evenly distributing the deer’s weight and reduce the chances of hoof damage. Larger rocks and boulders along the stream, uneven surfaces that make it very difficult for the deer to walk, will discourage them from entering streams or ponds with such shorelines.
Where it’s a constant issue, some water feature contractors install a layer of plastic hardware cloth or mesh over the liner, under the gravel of their stream installations in high deer population areas. This not only helps hold the gravel in place in turbulent water but helps distribute the weight of the deer and further protect the liner material.
The White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus, common from Canada to Peru, is probably the last animal that comes to mind when thinking about problematic visitors to the pond, but where they are common, there can be issues.
By USDA photo by Scott Bauer [Public domain],via Wikimedia Commons
Typically deer will only come to a backyard water feature for a refreshing drink of water; however, they have been known to occasionally munch on a few varieties of aquatic plants. The greatest damage from the presence of deer is generally caused by their feet. Older polypropylene and PVC liners, brittle with age and exposure, are easily punctured by razor-sharp hooves, though the newer style of thicker, more supple EPDM liners, which tend to give a little under the weight of a deer, are less susceptible to puncture, especially if well-protected under a layer of gravel. Nearly all documented damage involves the deer being startled and “jumping” or “bounding” away, thereby exerting much more pressure on the liner material and causing the damage.
To avoid this type of damage, try not to startle or scare the deer away from the water feature. This will only encourage them to run and possibly create a greater chance of damage as they make depart in haste. Just as with the wading predators, making pond walls deeper and steeper will discourage the deer from entering the pond while drinking. In shallow streams, lining the stream bottoms with a layer of 3-4” of rocks and gravel will assist in evenly distributing the deer’s weight and reduce the chances of hoof damage. Larger rocks and boulders along the stream, uneven surfaces that make it very difficult for the deer to walk, will discourage them from entering streams or ponds with such shorelines.
Where it’s a constant issue, some water feature contractors install a layer of plastic hardware cloth or mesh over the liner, under the gravel of their stream installations in high deer population areas. This not only helps hold the gravel in place in turbulent water but helps distribute the weight of the deer and further protect the liner material.
