Bay laurel = Laurus nobilis?

No, because mine is on my deck and the deer don't go there. But if it were planted out in the yard, they'd probably eat a lot of other things before bay laurel - euonymus, daylily buds, and hostas would be their preferred diet in my yard!

I think Laurus nobilis is listed my many sites as being 'deer-resistant'. Do a check.

But every region is different and deer have different tastes! Depends on how hungry and desperate they are.

It always boils down to fencing deer out, otherwise you are gambling all the time. What they don't browse bucks may rub on, in addition to the aforementioned unpredictable variations in browsing. Why let wild animals rather randomly decide what you can do with your place? You can effectively fence a fairly large area with peeler poles, staples and plastic deer fencing for maybe 400 dollars in materials cost.

Laurus nobilis IS generally on any list of deer resistant plants, probably for the same reason other common herbs or strongly resinous plants are - they just don't taste very good. But deer resistant doesn't mean deer immune :-) Fawns in particular will sample anything before determining if it is a tasty snack or not.

I live in an area with a lot of deer activity and can't say I've ever encountered a bay laurel that was routinely browsed.

No, they won't eat it.

Thanks, I'll pass the info along!

Mine just got a good trim from the deer, I'm sorry to say. They nibbled off all the spring growth. :(

Bummer healdsburger. Mine have never been touched and we have herds but I don't doubt you; I have seen them nibble on my cayenne red hot peppers!