What is the primary method for controlling deer in urban areas?

In urban areas, exclusion is recognized as a primary method for controlling deer populations. This approach involves implementing physical barriers or changes to environments that prevent deer from accessing specific spaces or resources. Fencing is a common exclusion strategy, as it effectively keeps deer out of gardens, landscapes, and other areas where they may cause damage or pose safety concerns.

Exclusion not only helps protect property and reduce human-deer conflicts but is also a sustainable long-term solution compared to other methods. While habitat modification can reduce access to food sources and live trapping may be used in some situations, these methods often do not provide as effective or immediate a solution in urban environments as exclusion does. Poisoning is typically not a viable option due to ethical concerns, regulatory restrictions, and risks to non-target species, making it an uncommonly accepted method for deer control in urban settings.