White-tailed deer attacking humans during the fawning ...

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Human–Wildlife Interactions Wildlife Damage Management, Internet Center for

4-1-2009

White-tailed deer attacking humans during the
fawning season: a unique human–wildlife conflict
on a university campus

Ryan D. Hubbard

Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, [email protected]

Clayton K. Nielsen

Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, [email protected]

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Hubbard, Ryan D. and Nielsen, Clayton K., "White-tailed deer attacking humans during the fawning season: a unique human–wildlife
conflict on a university campus" (2009). Human–Wildlife Interactions. Paper 32.
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Human–Wildlife Conflicts 3(1):129–135, Spring 2009

White-tailed deer attacking humans during
the fawning season: a unique human–wildlife
conflict on a university campus

RYAN D. HUBBARD1, Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, Cooperative Wildlife Research

Laboratory, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA [email protected]

CLAYTON K. NIELSEN, Southern Illinois University–Carbondale, Cooperative Wildlife Research

Laboratory, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA [email protected]
Abstract: Human–wildlife conflicts associated with suburban white-tailed deer (Odocoileus
virginianus) populations have increased in the last 20 years. Primary threats to human health
and safety associated with overabundant deer populations include deer–vehicle collisions,
attacks on humans, disease, and damage to native and ornamental vegetation. During the
fawning seasons (May–June) of 2005 and 2006, 13 confirmed incidences of white-tailed deer
attacking humans occurred on the campus of Southern Illinois University–Carbondale. To
our knowledge, no report exists that documents free-ranging does attacking humans during
the fawning season. The attacks occurred at multiple locations on campus, with injuries to
humans, including minor scrapes, bruises, broken bones, and skin lacerations requiring
stitches. Wildlife managers may face the increased likelihood of aggressive behavior from
deer directed towards humans as deer and human populations increase and come into closer
contact with each other.

Key words: animal attacks, deer attacks, fawning season, human–wildlife conflicts,
Odocoileus virginianus, Illinois, white-tailed deer

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) When female cervids have attacked humans,
populations have proliferated in suburban there has usually been habituation to humans
areas during the last 20 years due to high- or taming of the animal by humans (Geist 2007).
quality habitat, lack of predators, and protection Such habituation is likely due to the restriction
from harvest (Conover 1995, Deblinger and of hunting or to the animal living in proximity
Rimmer 1995, Swihart et al. 1995, Hansen et to humans (Colorado Division of Wildlife
al. 1997, Hussain et al. 2007). The increase has 2001, Conover 2002). Moose (Alces alces) have
led to increased human–wildlife conflicts, attacked humans in populations where moose
such as deer–vehicle collisions (Finder et cows are not hunted. For example, a moose
al. 1999, Nielsen et al. 2003, Bissonette et al. cow trampled an elderly man to death on the
2008, Grovenburg et al. 2008, Ng et al. 2008), University of Alaska–Anchorage campus in
ornamental plant damage (Conover and Kania 1995 when the moose apparently perceived that
1988), damage to crops (DeVault et al. 2007,
Retamosa et al. 2008), and concerns about A walking path on Southern Illinois University campus
zoonotic disease transmission (Decker and was closed due to deer attacks on humans.
Gavin 1987, Kilpatrick and Walter 1997).

Cervid attacks also pose a potentially serious
threat to human and pet health and safety,
occurring sometimes in suburban environ-
ments that contain high cervid populations.
Infrequently, male cervids attack, and even
kill, humans in territorial defense during rut
(Colorado Division of Wildlife 2001, Conover
2002). Female cervids have attacked humans
and dogs when cornered or while protecting
offspring (Colorado Division of Wildlife 2001,
Conover 2002, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2007).

1Present address: 3304 E. Highway U, El Dorado Springs, MO 64744, USA

130 Human–Wildlife Conflicts 3(1)

Figure 1. Locations of deer attacks on humans on Southern Illinois University–Carbondale campus during
the fawning seasons (May–June) of 2005 and 2006. Stars represent attacks in 2005; triangles represent
attacks in 2006. Multiple attacks occurred at some locations.

her calf was being threatened (Conover 2002). Study area
Several days later, the same cow tried to attack
another human. In 2007, on the same campus, Southern Illinois University–Carbondale is
a moose trampled a university student to located in southwest suburban Carbondale,
death. In another incident in the Municipality Illinois (population 20,681 without students
of Anchorage, a moose with twin calves present; U.S. Census Bureau 2000; Figure
attacked an 8-year-old boy (ABC News 2007). 1). Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Attacks on humans by elk (Cervus elaphus) employs >4,000 workers with a student
and other cervids also have been reported. In enrollment of >20,000 (K. Blackwell, SIUC
2002, an elderly woman was injured by an elk Department of Human Resources, personal
in her yard in Estes Park, Colorado, when she communication). Southern Illinois University
unknowingly moved too close to a newborn Carbondale is 1,394 ha in area, including
calf (Pinecam 2002). In 2006, a cross-country the main campus (493 ha), of which 101 ha is
runner was repeatedly harassed by a mule deer forested, agricultural research fields (551 ha),
(Odocoileus hemionus) doe (ABC News 2006). and surrounding forested property (350 ha).

We documented repeated incidences of free- Thompson Woods (Figure 1) is a 7-ha
ranging, female white-tailed deer attacking woodlot dominated by hardwood trees and
humans on the campus of Southern Illinois shrubs (Acer saccharum, Asimina triloba, Carya
University–Carbondale (SIUC) during the spp., Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus spp.)
fawning seasons of 2005 and 2006. Extensive interspersed with walking paths, located in the
literature searches yielded no instances of center of SIUC campus. Thousands of students,
white-tailed deer attacking humans during the faculty, and Carbondale residents travel on
fawning season elsewhere in the wild. Herein, these paths daily. Thompson Woods adjoins 13-
we describe such cervid attacks and discuss ha Campus Lake (Figure 1), which is bordered
potential management implications. by forested areas. Dense stands of timber and

Deer attacks • Hubbard and Nielsen 131

Figure 2. Many walking paths dissect woodlots on Figure 3. Deer, such as this adult doe with twin
the Southern Illinois University–Carbondale campus. fawns, are frequently observed throughout the South-
These paths are within or adjacent to dense stands ern Illinois University–Carbondale campus.
of vegetation that provide hiding cover for fawns
near human activity.

shrubby undergrowth exist along trails where concerning deer behaving aggressively towards

deer are frequently observed (Figures 2 and humans and pets were given to the author and

3). As part of the SIUC agricultural research SIUC police (T. Sigler, SIUC Department of

program, fields of corn, soybeans, and wheat Public Safety, personal communication).

are located <1 km west of the main campus. All attacks were by does, and all occurred

The combination of cover, manicured lawns, during the fawning season in southern Illinois

and agricultural land results in high-quality, (May 21–June 30; Rohm et al. 2007). Deer attacks

suburban deer habitat throughout SIUC prop- were generally clustered temporally at specific

erty and Carbondale. Deer freely Table 1. Description of doe attacks on humans at Southern
travel from the agricultural areas Illinois University–Carbondale campus during the fawning

to the interior of campus using seasons (May to June) of 2005 and 2006.

forested corridors (Cornicelli et Attack Date Time of Sex of Type of injury
al. 1996). Deer hunting is prohibit- day (hr) human

ed on SIUC property, a fact that 1 6/7/2005 1505 Female Scrapes
has contributed to a relatively 2 6/7/2005 1520 Female Broken clavicle
high deer density compared to

the surrounding rural landscape. 3 6/7/2005 1536 Female Lacerations,
Distance sampling estimates of concussion

deer density (LaRue et al. 2007) 4 6/13/2005 1520 Male Minor scrapes

were 18 + 2 deer/km2 (R. Hubbard, 5 6/14/2005 800 Female Cut to head
6/14/2005 805 Female Unknown injury
unpublished data). 6

Results 7 6/15/2005 2014 Female Back injury
8 6/15/2005 2014 Male Dislocated
During June 7–15, 2005, shoulder
and May 23–June 5, 2006, 9 6/15/2005 2029 Male Scrapes
>1 doe attacked 13 different 10 5/23/2006 1230 Male Pain to left ex-
adult humans (T. Sigler, SIUC tremities, neck,
Department of Public Safety, 11 5/23/2006 1250 Female head
unpublished data; Table 1). Two Bleeding from
additional attempted deer attacks 12 5/23/2006 1314 Male head and hands
were reportedly prevented by 13 6/5/2006 1859 Male Scrapes, bruises
officers who were on extra patrol
in high-risk areas of campus. Pain in arm and
Also, numerous anecdotal reports neck

132 Human–Wildlife Conflicts 3(1)

locations (Figure 1). Multiple attacks within population of deer. Thompson Woods, the
<40-min spans were reported on 4 days (Table area surrounding Campus Lake, and wooded
1). Only 2 attacks occurred without any further corridors on campus offer deer cover. These
incidents during the same day. areas, which are interspersed with agricultural
fields and manicured lawns, also provide dense
An attack generally consisted of a single cover suitable for fawning (Huegel et al. 1986).
doe (usually observed with >1 fawn) standing Most newborn fawns remain concealed in thick
upright on her rear legs while flailing her front vegetation while the mother is away (Schwede
legs towards a human. Usually the victim either et al. 1994). The cryptic coloration and behavior
would be knocked down by the doe or would of fawns (e.g., not fleeing from predators until
fall down when scrambling to escape. Most they are about 10 days old; Hirth 1985) caused
injuries sustained during a deer attack were many recreationists on campus to approach
minor to moderate scrapes and lacerations, unknowingly close to a fawn. A large amount
but more severe injuries, such as broken bones, of fawn-hiding cover exists along campus
were reported in a few instances. One woman walkways where most of the attacks occurred
suffered a broken clavicle from the force of (Figure 2). Some of the humans attacked
the attacking doe’s legs (Table 1). Other attacks reported seeing fawns, whereas others stated
caused a concussion and a dislocated shoulder that the doe just “came out of nowhere” and
to its victim. Eleven of the 13 attacks (92%) began to attack. A wandering fawn, however,
occurred after 1200 hours; 8 of the 13 attacks may have been at fault for >1 deer attacks in
(66%) were after 1500 hours. which the victim reported that a fawn was
following him along a walking path before a
One attack, which occurred on June 5, 2006, doe charged from the woods.
involved a SIUC police officer, who in self-
defense shot the attacking doe with his sidearm. On the SIUC campus, deer have become
The doe was a healthy, 4-year-old (Severinghaus accustomed to humans, and vice versa, over
1949) animal weighing 60-kg that was lactating the past 20 years since deer populations were
and was seen with a fawn. (The doe’s carcass first noted to be increasing (Cornicelli et al.
was sent to the Illinois Veterinary Diagnostic 1993, Cornicelli et al. 1996). Year-round activity
Laboratory in Centralia, Illinois, for testing, and on campus allows deer to become habituated
no diseases were found.) to human activity, and, during most seasons,
habituation to humans will not result in attacks.
Discussion Humans also are accustomed to seeing deer
on campus without incident, and previously
We do not know the exact causes of the deer they had no reason to fear the presence of deer.
attacks that occurred on the SIUC campus However, during the fawning season, does will
during 2005 to 2006 or how many does were aggressively defend their fawning territory from
responsible for them. However, we speculate other deer (Ozoga et al. 1982) and predators
that several factors stimulated these attacks. (Ozoga and Verme 1986, Mech and McRoberts
The clustering of attacks may be explained 1990), although much of this behavior is
by an individual doe being overly stressed or thought to be in defense of the fawn, rather
antagonized at a given time. Apparently, the than true territoriality (McCullough 1979). At
doe initiating the attack became extremely relatively high deer population densities, such
aggressive for a short period of time until the as that existing at SIUC, Ozoga et al. (1982)
perceived threat to her and the fawn(s) ceased. reported that fawn rearing space is severely
We are uncertain whether deer were provoked limited and maternal behavior is disrupted.
by humans attempting to pick up or otherwise This territoriality or fawn-protecting behavior
touch fawns, because only 1 police report was apparently extended toward humans at
mentioned this activity. SIUC during 2005 and 2006 by >1 doe.

Other factors influencing deer attacks at Management implications
SIUC may have included high-quality fawning
habitat within areas of high human use, anti- Factors contributing to these attacks at
predator defense strategies of does, a history SIUC can be found in many similar settings.
of deer and humans in close proximity on
campus, and unusual stress in a high-density

Deer attacks • Hubbard and Nielsen 133

The university campus environment at SIUC Graduate School at SIUC for logistical support.
(i.e., high deer populations and thousands of We also thank T. Sigler of the SIUC Department
students, staff, and recreationists traveling of Public Safety for providing police reports.
through deer habitat daily) likely increases E. Hellgren, E. Schauber, T. Messmer, and 2
deer–human interactions, compared to the anonymous reviewers improved earlier drafts
situation in most urban parks. However, many of this manuscript.
suburban and campus settings similar to SIUC’s
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RYAN D. HUBBARD is a wildlife biologist and CLAYTON K. NIELSEN is a wildlife ecologist

ranch manager for Housh Farms LLC in El Dorado at the Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory at
Springs, Missouri. He Southern Illinois Uni-
is a former graduate versity–Carbondale,
student at the Coop- where he received
erative Wildlife Re- his Ph.D. degree in
search Laboratory at 2001. He has been a
Southern Illinois Uni- member of The Wild-
versity–Carbondale life Society (TWS)
(SIUC), where his since 1994 and is
master’s degree proj- a certified wildlife
ect focused on white- biologist, an Illinois
tailed deer manage- chapter past presi-
ment on the campus. dent of TWS, and
He has been a mem- the president elect
ber of The Wildlife of the north central
Society since 2003 section of TWS. He
and was the student is also the director of
chapter vice presi- scientific research for
dent at Kansas State the nonprofit Cougar
University where he Network.
received his B.S. de-

gree in wildlife biology in 2005. His interests include
pursuing white-tailed deer with his bow and roaming
through prairies.