EVALUATION OF PROPANE EXPLODERS AS WHITE-TAILED DEER DETERRENTS

In response to increased white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) de predation of agricultural crops and encroachment on airports, we evalu ated the effectiveness of systematic and motion-activated propane expl oders as deer frightening devices. We conducted three experiments in a 2200 ha fenced facility in northern Ohio with high (91/km(2)) deer de nsities during 1994-1995. Systematic exploders were calibrated to deto nate once at 8 to 10 min intervals, whereas motion-activated exploders detonated 8 times/deer intrusion. Systematic propane exploders were g enerally ineffective, deterring deer from corn for less than or equal to 2 days only, whereas motion-activated exploders repelled deer for 0 -6 weeks. Repellency of motion-activated exploders varied seasonally, possibly in response to variations in deer density, availability of al ternate food, or reproductive and social behavior. We recommend motion -activated exploders over systematic exploders as deer frightening dev ices for crop damage mitigation and on airports; however, systematic e xploders may have utility for short-term (a few days) use.