As autumn settles over West Michigan, residents start noticing more deer in neighborhoods, backyards, and along roadsides. While deer are a common sight in the Grand Rapids area year-round, sightings tend to spike during hunting season. This sudden increase in activity often surprises homeowners, but it is a predictable part of the season. Understanding why deer move closer to suburban areas in the fall can help you protect your property and stay safe during this busy time of year.
Why Deer Move During Hunting Season
During Michigan’s hunting season, deer are more active and alert than usual. The increase in human activity in rural and wooded areas causes deer to seek quieter, safer locations. Suburban neighborhoods, parks, and residential properties often provide that refuge. With fewer natural predators and plenty of food sources like gardens, shrubs, and fallen fruit, these areas become ideal hiding spots.
Additionally, fall is mating season for deer, known as the rut. Bucks are more likely to roam greater distances while searching for does. This natural behavior, combined with the disturbance from hunters, leads to more deer crossing roads and appearing in populated areas around Grand Rapids.
Increased Deer Sightings and Property Damage
While seeing deer in your yard may seem harmless, they can cause significant property damage. Deer are notorious for eating landscaping plants, vegetable gardens, and young trees. During the fall, when food becomes scarcer in the wild, they are even more likely to venture into residential spaces in search of nourishment.
In addition to plant damage, deer can attract other wildlife to your property. Food sources and shelter that appeal to deer may also invite smaller animals such as raccoons, squirrels, or rodents. This can create a chain reaction of wildlife issues that become difficult to manage without professional help.
Safety Concerns During Deer Season
The rise in deer movement during hunting season also increases the risk of vehicle collisions. Drivers in the Grand Rapids area should be especially cautious at dawn and dusk when deer are most active. Slowing down in wooded areas, keeping headlights on high beam when possible, and watching for groups of deer can help prevent accidents.
For homeowners, it is also important to avoid feeding deer intentionally. While feeding may seem like a kind gesture, it can encourage them to return regularly and can disrupt their natural foraging habits. It also increases the likelihood of property damage and disease transmission among wildlife.
How to Keep Deer Away from Your Property
There are several steps you can take to make your property less attractive to deer. Installing fencing around gardens and planting deer-resistant plants such as lavender, boxwood, or yarrow can help protect your landscaping. Motion-activated sprinklers or lights can also startle deer and deter them from approaching your yard.
If deer continue to frequent your property despite these measures, a wildlife control professional can provide humane and effective solutions. Specialists can assess your property, identify attractants, and create a customized prevention plan that keeps deer at a safe distance.
When to Call Critter Control of Grand Rapids
If deer are damaging your yard or creating safety concerns this hunting season, Critter Control of Grand Rapids can help. Our trained wildlife experts use humane, science-based methods to manage deer activity and protect your property. We understand local wildlife patterns and offer prevention strategies tailored to Michigan’s seasonal changes.
Keep your home and yard safe during hunting season with professional deer management services. Contact Critter Control of Grand Rapids today for a consultation and take back control of your property before fall activity peaks.