Lifestyles Report…Oh deer

Reportedly, during their hormonally imbalanced mating period, deer are reckless. With few population controls throughout the southwestern Pennsylvania suburbs and Pittsburgh, their numbers in some communities have soared to unmanageable levels. From Monroeville to Bridgeville, from Wexford to Washington, deer can be a backyard and agricultural nuisance. In parts of Pittsburgh and municipalities including Mt. Lebanon, Ross, Green Tree and Franklin Park, they’re a legitimate public safety hazard
Allegheny County manages deer in its nine parks with the help of a nonprofit archers’ group that discreetly removes does during archery deer season. With self-imposed rules that exceed game-law requirements and a perfect safety record since its founding in 1996, Whitetail Management Associates of Greater Pittsburgh quietly removes about 600 deer from the county’s parks per year. The service is provided at no cost to taxpayers, and most of the venison is donated to local food banks.
If you are wondering what plants are deer resistant, some say marigolds are the answer, however few plants are completely deer resistant. Several factors influence deer browsing including the density of the deer population, environmental conditions such as drought, and plant palatability. Deer tend to avoid plants with aromatic foliage, tough leathery and/or hairy or prickly leaves or plants with milky latex or sap. My suggestion to the deer, try the Dandelions or eat some of the leaves that have fallen so I don’t have to rake them and put them in bags. Be helpful.
(Email the columnist at debbienorrell@aol.com)