Request for Community Comments on Need for a Deer Fencing Policy
May 2023

 

The Kingsmill community has seen an increase in the deer population, which has become a cause for concern. Each adult deer consumes between 5 to 8 pounds of food per day, and they primarily feed on the forested areas and landscaping around our homes. This has caused significant damage to residents' yards, as many have experienced.

 

While the KMPD and volunteer hunters do their best to cull the deer population during state-permitted periods, it's challenging to do so in populated areas without jeopardizing the safety of our residents. Our priority is to ensure the safety of our community, and current approaches are limited in terms of reducing the deer population. There is no safe and affordable way to reduce the deer population in greater numbers than our present approaches.

 

As a result, KCSA Board of Directors has requested EPB consider a policy that allows limited and temporary applications of deer fencing to protect young trees, shrubbery, and other landscaping in homeowners’ yards. This policy will help mitigate the damage caused by deer and provide homeowners with a practical solution to protect their property.

 

EPB is asking for community comments on the need for a deer policy and tentative policy concepts below. This list represents possible factors that will be taken into consideration in drafting a new policy. 

 

NOTE: This is not the policy, just possible ideas and concepts.

 

• Deer fencing means materials placed closely around newly planted shrubs, trees, or other landscaping to prevent deer from eating the vegetation.
• All deer fencing applications must be approved by EPB prior to installation.
• Deer fencing installations will be limited in front yards near the street and allowed more in side and back yards.
• Fencing must be temporary—approved for two years (homeowners can reapply to EPB for an extension if needed).
• Fencing and support poles must be a dark green, black, or other approved color.
• Fence height must not exceed 5 feet.
• Fence material must be netting or vinyl-coated metal wire with 2 x 3 inch square mesh design, supported by steel or wooden poles inserted into the ground.
• Total number of trees/shrubs fenced must be kept to a minimum.
• Wrapping the trunks of newly planted trees with suitable temporary material to protect from deer rutting is allowed and does not need to be approved by EPB.