Deer are distributed all over Alabama thanks to a capture and relocate program by the Conservation Dept. program during the 1950s, 60s and 70s. When I was a kid, there were many counties wihtout deer. People hunted them for food during the Depression and the deer numbers were depleted. I'm not sure about Calhoun and Etowah counties. I would think being near the Talledega National Forest and Cheaha State park areas would be a plus for deer. Call the Calhoun county courthouse and ask for the Auburn County Extension Agent. He should be able to give you lots of info.

You can reach ACES - Alabama Cooperative Extension System by calling 256-237-1621.

We have a lot of deer around here..And I do not think we have a problem...Although everytime I try to plant lavendar it gets munched down to nothing by something. If you have a dog I think that helps to keep the deer out of your immediate back yard...It seems to help me..Their is SO much for them to eat outside of the yard that I do not think they need to eat yard plants. It is my understanding that the deer that were planted in this state are the Northern white tails..Which can survive in severe weather conditions...So living down here must be easier on the species. In the spring I see doe's with 2 babies A LOT, which is an indication that they have plenty of food..

I use to have deer on the far back of my property...My yard was a normal route for them to go from one wooded area to another. I fenced my property line off to make pastures for my horses and have not seen deer on my property since. Although I have seen them on the outside of the fence near my persimmon trees..

I am wondering exactly where is the wooded area verses your house and immediate backyard, and how big is it??? Deer do like woods..And most of my neighbors that have woods do get deer in their backyard. Although I have not heard any complaining about the deer eating their plants..I will check..

Okay in surveying my neighbors re deer...I found 2 that put feed out for them and still the deer do not bother their plants..2 that do not feed them but see them in there yard and immediate yard. But have never lost landscape plants to them. One that has a dog in a kennel in the backyard that never see deer on their property. So 5 out of 5 do not have problems with deer eating their landscaping..

Thanks Scandia for surveying your neighbors. We will definitely be getting a dog once we settle in, so maybe that will help.

I'm originally from the Pacific Northwest and everyone that I know there who have had deer on the property seem to lose lots of plants to them. Maybe there is less natural food that they like there.

This is going to be my first experience of living on acreage and I can hardly wait to start gardening. I've always lived on a standard suburban lot and have never had enough land to garden like I have truly wanted to. It's going to be an adventure!

Yes, you will have deer if you have acreage. I love to watch them so will put up with just about anything. They (and the rabbits) love to munch in the veggie garden, so you might consider putting up a rabbit-proof fence around your veggie garden. The deer graze in some of my beds around this time of year when the 'pickings' in the woods become scarce. They have defoliated 3 Indian Hawthorne's the past couple of years but they leaf out again in the spring. But the deer don't touch the ones next to the house. As others have recommended, just go for the most deer resistant things you can, especially away from your house. My neighbor swears by Irish Spring soap, so she has bars scattered in and among her shade garden plants. I've just bought a big pack and plan to scatter a few and see if it helps.

I have 6 outside cats so I do not have problems with rabbits..I have never had a deer in my vegie garden...My immediate backyard is fenced with 6ft fencing...Then the rest is wood rail fencing and pastures for my horse. Maybe that is why I do not see deer in my yard anymore..I remember when we were putting up the rail fence. That a doe jumped over the fence and was in the front corral. Her 2 babies managed to get through one of the lower rails. I just stood there with my mouth open watching this..(looking stupid I am sure) The Doe panicked when she got to the other side she ran around the corral a few times with babies in tow. Then she jumped over the other side and went into my neighbors field..The babies then panicked and could not figure out how to get out of the corral...They did eventually and joined their mommie...The people that lived here before had alot of hosta. I think deer do not like hosta not sure..

While we were finishing the rail fence to the back of the lot line..We were standing back there after sun set enjoying the quiet and heard something running towards us...I swear My hair stood up...Suddenly 3 deer just ran up to us. As soon as they saw us they went around and ran into my neighbors field...I have seen bucks running through there too..But now that the fence is up I do not see them running through our property anymore.

My neighbor has no hunting signs up all over his property..He catches hunters all the time...He has 100 acres and a nice path that he lets me ride or walk on...Last time I went riding back there I saw a hunter aiming at me...He then said I almost shot you I thought your horse was a deer..Hummmm BIG deer huh...I just started yelling calling him a dumba** and told him he was not suppose to be hunting there..I swear hunters should have to take an IQ test before they get a license or a gun..OMG that was the last time I went back there...The rumors around here are that my neighbor has giant bucks, and an albino buck back there..So every doodoo with a gun around here sneaks around back there...I think the looney hunters are more of a problem then the deer.

It is true I have seen some huge bucks on his property. But, geez No Hunting means No Hunting.

Welcome Terry and hope you enjoy Alabama. I'm originally from South Seattle went to Federal Way High School until we moved to Onalaska outside Centralia but after 20 years in the Navy decided the Web Feet were gone and I didn't want them back! I have 3 acres in Morgan County and have never had problems with deer in the garden although we see them all the time. As for your Citrus question on another post I have 5 dwarfs that go into the greenhouse in the winter. I also have 50 plus pineapple plants fell in love with fresh ones during my many port visits to Pearl along with bananas. Hope you enjoy Alabama have been here for 10 years now. I got stationed at Ft McClellan in Anniston working with the Army and loved the area. You can get some idea of the country by going to my website. You also can go to the Extension Website www.aces.edu for lots of information. Take care.

Bob in Morgan County

Here is a link that might be useful: Bob's Homepage

I live in Northeast Ms. and the dogged deer are taking us over.The come into my yard and eat everything green,I have a great perineese dog in a pen right by by back yard that barks allnight but it doesn't stop the deer.I've taken pictures with a flash. They just stand there & look and just go back to eating shurbs or anything with green on it.