Cedar park deer supplemental feeding (Austin, Waco: landscaping, neighborhood, to live in)

[atxb]

Is it ok, to do deer supplemental feeding in cedar park area ?

Kids in my neighborhood (Walsh trails/brushy creek) see deer in green belt area and they like to feed it, though they cannot see a stationed deer near by, they like leave some feed close to fence.

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by atxb

Is it ok, to do deer supplemental feeding in cedar park area ?

Kids in my neighborhood (Walsh trails/brushy creek) see deer in green belt area and they like to feed it, though they cannot see a stationed deer near by, they like leave some feed close to fence.

Keep in mind that white-tailed deer are in serious over-population in our suburban areas, and are considered a major pest by people whose property they invade looking for food. People whose gardens and landscaping is ruined by them refer to them as giant rats. This is why some communities prohibit feeding them, while most others at least discourage the practice.

Also keep in mind that the ticks that spread Lyme disease are carried by white-tailed deer, and that Lyme disease is on a serious upswing due primarily to the explosion of the white-tail deer population. Lyme can be a debilitating disease. It's smart to keep kids away from areas where these deer are active.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by OpenD

Keep in mind that white-tailed deer are in serious over-population in our suburban areas, and are considered a major pest by people whose property they invade looking for food. People whose gardens and landscaping is ruined by them refer to them as giant rats. This is why some communities prohibit feeding them, while most others at least discourage the practice.

Also keep in mind that the ticks that spread Lyme disease are carried by white-tailed deer, and that Lyme disease is on a serious upswing due primarily to the explosion of the white-tail deer population. Lyme can be a debilitating disease. It's smart to keep kids away from areas where these deer are active.

That's just about right. They are among the most destructive pests around.

Never mind that they are always jumping fences and across highways--motorists seem to hit them more often in the Austin area than in any other in the state. I know people who are careful drivers, and have hit one more than once in the general area.

No, they don't EVER need to be fed, period.

[10scoachrick]

It's hard to resist tossing a celery stalk or banana peel to the little critters; BUT, it really isn't a good idea. An unsuspecting child(or adult) might engage the deer at the fence line, thinking the deer to be a docile creature and the deer is only thinking of eating. I've seen a small child HAND-FEED deer through a golf-course fence! You really don't want a deer hopping the fence to 'visit' in order to get some more goodies that are out there on a regular basis. A deer can make a six-foot fence look like a stair step and the eight-foot fences aren't much tougher.

[tazbigdog]

Originally Posted by 10scoachrick

It's hard to resist tossing a celery stalk or banana peel to the little critters; BUT, it really isn't a good idea. An unsuspecting child(or adult) might engage the deer at the fence line, thinking the deer to be a docile creature and the deer is only thinking of eating. I've seen a small child HAND-FEED deer through a golf-course fence! You really don't want a deer hopping the fence to 'visit' in order to get some more goodies that are out there on a regular basis. A deer can make a six-foot fence look like a stair step and the eight-foot fences aren't much tougher.

REALLY, this is naturally found deer food? Why not just feed them a McDonalds Burger?

But seriously, DO NOT FEED DEER. They will concentrate to an area that food is readily accessible, increasing the chances for car accidents that can result in the death of one of your neighbors. Not to mention the increase of Lyme's Disease.

Deer feeding in the Austin city limits is ILLEGAL.

Feeding a deer is a disservice to the natural balance of nature.

[atxb]

Omg...!!!!

[zhugeliang1]

Omg...!!!!

I know, we learn something new each day don't we...! If your children like feeding animals there's an event in Waco this weekend where they can pet and feed farm animals. Just some thoughts.

[tibbar]

I don't feed them since they passed a law against it, but I am guilty of having a water source in my back yard.

[atxb]

Originally Posted by zhugeliang1

I know, we learn something new each day don't we...! If your children like feeding animals there's an event in Waco this weekend where they can pet and feed farm animals. Just some thoughts.

Thank you, we go to zoo here and in SA, kids are always curious to do more.

[atxb]

Originally Posted by tibbar

I don't feed them since they passed a law against it, but I am guilty of having a water source in my back yard.

Pretty nice scenic out there, always fun to live in acre lots.