The deer standing in the average U.S. yard today are probably not painted concrete statues. Urban sprawl and suburban deer herds have been developing together. Firearm laws within city limits, a lack of predators and an abundance of manicured landscaping can all increase deer populations. U.S. winters rarely cut into deer numbers except in the most northern states. So, any landscape can be at risk each spring, when deer and fawns select their grazing territories for the coming growing season.
Deer tend to be creatures of habit, however.
So, if they learn not to like a yard in early spring, they'll tend to leave it alone. You can set up adversarial conditions that include frightening devices or repellents. Dogs tend to be natural adversaries. If left outdoors, they can do a good job of frightening deer away in a matter of days, Lee said. But, local leash laws and noise ordinances may limit the role dogs can play in protecting valuable plantings.