If you have ever cultivated a garden, whether flower or vegetable, chances are you have also encountered their most common natural enemy – the white-tailed deer. These munching menaces can ruin an entire crop in no time. What’s worse, their somewhat nocturnal nature means that it is often very difficult to catch them in the act.
On a much larger scale, white-tailed deer damage alone costs U.S. farmers over $100 million dollars every year according to articles published in Wildlife Society Bulletin in 1997 and 1998.
A 2001 Extension Journal article highlights a study conducted across 13 north-eastern states in which they found that, when combined, the damage done to high value agriculture, grain crops, nursery stock, and commercial and residential landscaping exceeded $240 million!
When you add the $50 million spent annually on deer fencing, protective barriers, and chemicals to deer proof gardens and lawns, the economic impact of white-tailed deer on agriculture and gardening is quite substantial.
The problem stems from the fact that white-tailed deer are incredibly adaptable and resilient. Unlike many of their wildlife counterparts, white-tailed deer not only survive, but thrive in residential and even commercial areas, particularly since many of their natural predators have been eliminated from these areas.
Today, there are more than 20 million white-tailed deer in the United States, with those numbers expected to double every 2-3 years as long as there is an adequate food supply.
This has led most states to loosen restrictions related to deer hunting including extending the season in some parts of the country and increasing the annual per person limit.
However, even with a growing group of hunting enthusiasts, deer damage remains a top concern for many in the agricultural industry.
For information on deer management, deer fence, high fence and other fencing needs, contact J4 Fencing & services today at 979-637-9892 or email us at info@j4fs.com or cuatro@j4fs.com.
For more information on the economic impact of deer damage, check out these resources:
Conover, M. R. (1997). Monetary and Intangible Valuation of Deer in the United States. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 25, 298-305.
Conover, M. R. (1998). Perceptions of American Agricultural Producers About Wildlife on Their Farms and Ranches. Wildlife Society Bulletin, 26, 597-604.
February 2005. Assessment of Negative Economic Impacts from Deer in the Northeastern United States. Extension Journal, Inc, Volume 43, Number 1. http://www.joe.org/joe/2005february/rb5.php
General Deer Population Facts: http://wildlifecontrol.info/deer/pages/deerpopulationfacts.aspx
Arriving to a job in the Pan Handle, J4 Fencing & Services travels in multiple states and serves dozens of happy customers each year. Keep visiting our video page for fall 2011 updated video testimonials. J4 Fencing & Services LLC guarantees customer satisfaction because we use the highest quality products and employ professional, hardworking staff to create the most durable and effective livestock fence or exotic deer fence in Texas! 
We consider every environmental aspect of your property, as well as the safety of the animals you wish to keep in or out. We can clear the land with dozers before construction, ensuring that the land is well prepared for alterations. We work in a timely, yet safe manner and guarantee a polished finished product with no mess!
Check out some of the deer pictures from our last working session in our custom facilities. Cuatro and the J4 crew offer deer breeding consulting services and well as all inclusive Handling Facilities design and construction.
Building and maintaining your high fence should be a critical part of your wildlife management plan. Texas high fence protects your deer herd and breeding operation, while maintaining the integrity of your boundaries and the safety of your investments. High fence can be useful for smaller properties, as well as large ranches. J4 Fencing & Services can design a high fence system specifically for your property.
J4 Fencing & Services continues to be America’s Number One Custom Game Fence Builder! Located in El Campo, Texas Cuatro Strack and his hardworking crew provide custom game fence and Total Deer Solutions to customers all across America.