Where I live in E TN, in an exurban neighborhood with 1 to 3 acre partly wooded lots we have so many deer that they’re more common than rabbits. I see between one and six about three or four times a week as I drive the 3/4 of a mile from the top of the hill where I live to the bottom and back up. The deer really make out because there are yet to be any large predators and the human population is too dense for safe hunting, especially with firearms.
We had a mountain lion for a few years about 15 years ago, and it kept the bambi population down. Then, it disappeared.
Since then, the deer are out of control. They eat everything. Even things they didn’t eat a few years ago like ivy, manzenita and other shrubs.
Fish and game and animal control do nothing when they are called. If a deer dies on your property, you have to have it disposed at your cost.
This time of the year, the fall rut, the male deer could be more dangerous than the mountain lions.
The Alpha bucks will face you down or chase the other bucks down the street regardless if you are walking or driving. This week we and another couple had to get out of the way when the Alpha chased a younger buck up and down our street.
The Alphas get very territorial and will challenge you in your own yard or on the street.
A couple of years ago, our neighbor’s really big female Great Dane chased a doe down our little arroyo. A minute later one of the Alpha Bucks chased her back up the arroyo.
We were walking on the street and watched as the Great Dane howled and ran back. Her owner got a door on her suv and got inside and waited. When her whining dog got into the SUV, she shut the door and hit the panic button on the SUV. The blaring horn made the buck walk away.
The Great Dane doesn’t chase deer anymore.