Outdoor cannabis cultivation exposes plants to interference from local wildlife. The presence of grazing animals presents a significant risk to a successful harvest. Deer are a major concern due to their size and opportunistic feeding habits. These large herbivores can quickly devastate a plot, consuming a substantial amount of plant material in a single visit. Understanding this threat is the first step in developing an effective protection plan.
Deer Palatability and Feeding Habits
Deer are opportunistic browsers, consuming a wide variety of plants depending on availability. While marijuana is not a staple of their diet, they readily eat the plants, especially during early growth stages. Young cannabis plants are particularly vulnerable because their foliage is tender, succulent, and easy to digest. This new growth is rich in protein and moisture, making it an appealing source of nutrition.
The most targeted parts are new shoots, leaves, and soft stems, which offer the highest palatability. As the plant matures and enters the flowering stage, it generally becomes less attractive. This is due to the development of a tougher texture and a more pungent odor from the plant’s resin and sticky trichomes. However, a hungry deer, especially where other food sources are scarce, will still browse on mature plants.
Identifying Deer Damage vs. Other Pests
Correctly identifying the source of plant damage is necessary before implementing protection measures. Deer lack upper incisors, resulting in a characteristic feeding pattern that leaves distinct visual evidence. When feeding, a deer presses the plant material against its lower teeth and tears it away. This causes a jagged, shredded, or ragged appearance on the remaining stems and leaves. They may also pull out entire small plants.
In contrast, damage from smaller pests like rabbits or groundhogs appears as a clean, sharp, or diagonal cut. These animals have sharp incisor teeth that allow them to cleanly snip through stems. The height of the damage is another reliable indicator; deer typically browse foliage above two feet, which is generally out of a rabbit’s reach. The presence of large, cloven-hoof prints or pellet-like droppings near the damaged plants also helps confirm deer activity.
Effective Strategies for Plant Protection
The most reliable strategy for protecting a cannabis grow involves establishing physical barriers. Because deer are capable of jumping considerable heights, a fence must be at least eight feet tall to be effective. A standard wire or polypropylene mesh fence anchored securely to the ground prevents both entry and burrowing underneath. Double fencing, consisting of two parallel four-to-five-foot fences spaced about four feet apart, can confuse the deer’s depth perception and discourage jumping.
When a permanent tall fence is not feasible, temporary or low-cost barriers can protect individual plants. Simple cages constructed from chicken wire or netting placed directly over the plant offer immediate protection for young seedlings. For larger plants, securing netting around the perimeter of the grow space can serve as a deterrent, even if it is not eight feet high.
Deterrence Methods
Deterrence methods offer a secondary layer of protection, particularly when used with physical barriers. Commercial repellents, available as scent-based or taste-based products, work by making the plants undesirable. Scent-based options often use ingredients that mimic predator urine or other odors deer dislike. Taste-based sprays can contain irritants like hot pepper.
These repellents must be rotated frequently to prevent deer from becoming habituated to a single scent or flavor. They also require regular reapplication, especially after heavy rain or during rapid new growth. Other effective deterrents include motion-activated lights or sprinklers, which startle the deer with sudden activity. Planting strong-smelling companion plants, such as mint or lavender, around the garden perimeter can help mask the cannabis scent, making it less appealing to passing browsers.