Deer Program FAQ

Overview

What can I do to keep deer from damaging my property? 

In most cases, fencing, repellents, and habitat alterations can reduce deer damage. We call these kinds of options non-lethal options. Sometimes, non-lethal options do not provide enough help. So, people will turn to lethal options instead. Lethal options involve harvesting deer. It can be hard to use lethal options in cities because of safety, laws, and public disapproval. Before exploring lethal options, make sure that you follow all Baltimore ordinances and state regulations. 

What is the city’s plan to manage deer?

Our deer staff knows what lethal and non-lethal options are available to manage deer. Our staff will work with residents to understand how acceptable those management options are. With that input, our Deer Program staff will calculate the best management approach. In late 2025, the Deer Program will create a deer plan based on what they learned. 

What do I do if I find a fawn?

Although you may find fawns by themselves, do not worry. A female deer, called a doe, will leave her fawn alone for hours at a time. When the doe is away from her fawn, she will eat important food that will help her produce nutritious milk. Also, a doe will leave her fawn alone to protect it. When fawns are born, they have very little scent. This makes it hard for predators like coyotes to find them. If a doe remained with her fawn, she would make it easier for predators to locate them without realizing it. Does will continue this behavior for about three weeks.. In about three weeks, fawns are strong enough to keep up with their mother and move fast enough to avoid danger. 

Why do we need to manage deer in Baltimore?

People have caused the deer problems in Baltimore, but we’re also the ones who can fix them. As Baltimore City expanded development into natural areas, deer stayed and kept living like they would in rural areas. However, deer in rural areas get hunted by people and eaten by predators, unlike deer in cities. This causes deer herds to grow in cities, which can harm the environment. Deer also eat garden plants and other food that people leave out. This helps deer herds grow even faster. As deer herds grow, they can hurt forests, spread disease, and damage property. If we don’t manage deer, these problems will keep getting worse and they are expensive for the city, its residents, and the deer living here.

Is it legal to feed deer in Baltimore?

Yes, but the city discourages residents from feeding deer. Feeding deer can:

  • Make them rely on humans for food.
  • Encourage them to cross roads more often as they travel to feeding locations.
  • Increase the spread of diseases among deer.
  • Decrease their fear of people, which can put people at risk of injury or disease.

How many deer should be in Baltimore's parks? 

It depends. In Maryland, biologists suggest that deer herds stay below 20 deer per square mile. Some parks can't support large deer herds because of limited food, shelter, and water. Also, in parks with a history of deer damage, forests need a chance to recover. Many will only be able to recover with small deer herds of around 5–10 deer per square mile. Human activity can also impact the appropriateness of having large deer herds. For example, Patterson Park is large, but it has limited food for deer and a lot of human activity. As a result, Patterson Park should have few, if any, deer because it is not a great place for them to live. But an area like Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park may be more suitable because it has more land, more habitat, and less human activity. 

What diseases could I get from deer?

People often associate Lyme disease with deer, but deer do not directly transmit it to humans. The culprit that transmits the Lyme disease-causing bacteria to humans is the black-legged tick. These ticks feed on deer to complete part of their life cycle. Although humans can get other diseases from deer, they are rare and are of little concern. These rare cases include diseases like toxoplasmosis, COVID-19, and others. Even though it's uncommon to get diseases from deer, it is still wise to practice safety measures. Residents should:

  • Avoid undercooked venison.
  • Check themselves for ticks after walking in natural areas.
  • Wear mosquito and tick repellents when in natural areas.
  • Wash their hands after touching deer parts, body fluids, or excrements.

How do I keep myself safe from deer in our parks? 

  • Always stay at least 50 feet away from deer.
  • Do not let your pet approach deer.
  • If a deer approaches you and your pet, keep your pet close to you, make loud noises, and back away from the deer.
  • Never feed deer.
  • Never corner a deer.
  • If you think that a deer is sick, injured, or orphaned, please contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services at 1-877-463-6497.

Is it legal to hunt deer in Baltimore City? 

Yes, but with restrictions. You are not permitted do discharge a firearm in city limits as designated by the Baltimore City Police. 

You are only permitted to use archery equipment in the city of Baltimore that has an overall length of 18 inches or greater on private property, as permitted by the land owner.