I live in West Des Moines, and my particular neighborhood doesn't have deer, but we do have ravenous rabbits.

About the birdfeeder, if you want to keep feeding the birds, I would go to Wild Birds Unlimited and ask for a feeder that the deer won't be able to raid. Most feeders are set up to be squirrel-repellent, but they might have something that would work for both squirrels and deer.

Unfortunately, unless you put up deer fence around your property, there is no such thing as a guaranteed deer deterrent. There are plants that they are less likely to bother, and there is a pretty effective repellent (Liquid Fence - if you use it religously). but fencing is the only way to keep deer out of your yard if you live in a deer-infested neighborhood. Some homeowners have luck with stringing up lengths of fishing line at chest height--the deer don't like bumping into it, and they can't see it very well.

I live North of Ames next to the Squaw River Valley. We have numerous Deer. I've found that a Scarecrow sprinkler works fairly well (not perfect). The drawback is that a constant water supply is needed for it to operate. If you pay for water then it may be a drain on funds.

I use Deer Fortress and have not had a problem with deer.

Diann