Is there such a thing here in Iowa? I am new to the area and deer are eating every plant in my backyard. The tracks back there are everywhere, and I wanted to know what I could do t end it. I can only have a short chain link fence around the backyard, and they could easily jump this. I would put out wolf piss, but that stinks. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have handguns that could take these deer, as well as 12 guage slugs. Rifles would be potentially dangerous, as overpenetration could lead to problems to houses behind me. Thanks
Depends on the community. I'm bowhunting right now in the Des Moines metro area Urban Hunt. Shooting them out of your back yard in the city limits is usually illegal. Check your local laws.
If I had to, I'd use a pellet rifle and shoot them just below the ear. Dear drops on the spot. You will need a high-end pellet rifle though. A Daisy won't do.
I am in Des Moines and would not want to go to jail over something like this. Would I need a hunting license to shoot them with a pellet gun? I have a higher powered one that can shoot .177 cal pellets at 1,000 fps. I would not think that this would be powerful enough, but who knows. Perhaps what I need is a paintball gun with pepper balls.
Oh, you just want to scare them. Shoot the biggest one, usually the lead doe with a pellet in the ass everytime you can and soon they will move on. Or paintballs. They take the hint after awhile. It makes them nervous and they like where they feel comfortable. I thought you wanted deer steak. My bad.
I love venison, and like to deer hunt. I never had the opportunuity from my backyard, and never thought living in an urban area would allow me the opportunity. I am looking to keep them out of the plants. I am hoping to attract rabbits to take with the air rifle, as they go great in stew. Deer are a little more work, and the ones I see around here are fairly large. I would hate to have to take care of a deer in my backyard, as the area at present is fairly open to all nieghbors to see. Anyway, perhaps if I take one I'll just have to PM you to see if you are interested in fresh steaks.
Unless Des Moines has an ordinance, it is legal to shoot a bow and arrow on your property, even in town, as long as the arrow does not cross over a public walkway or road.
Grab the bow, get an archery tag, and stake out the back yard.
Bottle rockets work well for scaring them, should you forfeit the archery idea. But you have to be careful not to get caught with them.
Edit: You can't shoot a deer with a rifle in Iowa. You can only use a centerfire in the bottom two rows of counties, and I think that's only during January Antlerless season.
What can you use besides a bow? I am new to Iowa, and need to get caught up on the laws here. Can a shotgun with slugs be used, or is it strickly bows? How about handguns? No wonder there are so many dead deer from vehicle impacts. The ppopulation in my area needs to be thinned out.
Actually, I had no idea the deer were so common here. I moved from Florida, and grew up in Louisiana. Deer hunting was fairly loosely regulated. I never had them coming into my backyard tearing up trees and eating hedges. This area has laws only allowing 4 foot chain link fences, so I planted a bunch of what were presented as deer resistant plants to provide some measure of privacy. It seems the deer flock to these for fast food and my trees seem to bring on the antlers. I could care less about flowers, as I never lanted these.
I am going to look into a bow, so will be over at the sporting goods store later today. Other than that, if anyone has any good ideas, or deer repellant ideas, please let me know.
Unless Des Moines has an ordinance, it is legal to shoot a bow and arrow on your property, even in town, as long as the arrow does not cross over a public walkway or road.
Grab the bow, get an archery tag, and stake out the back yard.
Bottle rockets work well for scaring them, should you forfeit the archery idea. But you have to be careful not to get caught with them.
Edit: You can't shoot a deer with a rifle in Iowa. You can only use a centerfire in the bottom two rows of counties, and I think that's only during January Antlerless season.
Des Moines has an ordinance about hunting in the city. Can't do it unless you are part of the Urban hunting program. Just scare them. After awhile, they'll leave.
