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Deer Exclusion Devices and Deterrent Techniques

EVALUATION OF THE EFFICACY OF VARIOUS DEER EXCLUSION DEVICES AND DETERRENT TECHNIQUES FOR USE AT AIRPORTS

5. Habitat Modification

Habitat modification is practised at a great many airports and airbases around the world.

Description. - Habitat modification involves the removal and/or alteration of habitat features. Typical actions include the pruning or removal of trees and shrubs; and the removal of standing water (ponds, ditches, puddles), alteration of grass heights, selection of broad-leaved herbaceous plants (forbs) for planting, and paving. The main goal is to reduce the airport property's attractiveness to wildlife. Care should be taken to insure that habitat modifications to reduce deer attractions do not inadvertently create habitats that attract hazardous birds. Habitat modification should consider habitat features in the vicinity of the airport as well as on the airport itself. An overview of habitat modification issues and techniques is provided in the Transport Canada Manual (Transport Canada 1994). Deer control products/techniques that alter the habitat by making plants less attractive for grazing, are discussed under "Chemical Repellents".

Biological Basis. - Habitat modification to reduce deer on airport property removes cover and food sources. All trees and shrubs are removed as well as forbs, particularly legumes such as alfalfa and clover. A research development in habitat modification is the planting of grasses that are less palatable to ungulates, such as tall fescue (Festuca arudinacea) associated with a symbiotic fungus (Aldrich et al. 1993), which may offer potential to make runway areas less attractive to deer.

Habitat modification is generally limited to airport property, but owners of surrounding land may co-operate to maintain or improve the quality of available deer habitat by removing trees that would provide browse and cover for deer near to the airport. This reduces the likelihood that deer would choose habitat in close proximity to or on the airport property. Habitat modification is also limited in that it only discourages deer from using the area and cannot exclude deer from entering the airport property. A perimeter fence designed for deer control should be used to exclude deer and habitat modification can improve the fence's effectiveness by keeping deer away and reducing deer damage to fences. Ongoing maintenance to keep attractive plants from growing is needed for long-term effectiveness of habitat modification.

Recommendation. - Habitat modification to reduce the attractiveness of airport properties to deer is recommended.

Date modified:
2010-05-03