Deer Responses to Sounds From a Vehicle‐Mounted Sound‐Production System

Abstract

ABSTRACT We evaluated efficacy of sound as a deterrent for reducing deer ( Odocoileus spp.)–vehicle collisions by observing behavioral responses of free‐ranging white‐tailed deer ( O. virginianus ) to pure‐tone sounds within their documented range of hearing. Behavior of free‐ranging deer within 10 m of roadways was not altered in response to a moving automobile fitted with a sound‐producing device and speakers that produced 5 sound treatments documented to be within the hearing range of white‐tailed deer. Many commercially available, vehicle‐mounted auditory deterrents (i.e., deer whistles) are purported to emit continuous pure‐tone sounds similar to those we tested. However, our data suggest that deer whistles are likely not effective in altering deer behavior in a manner that would prevent deer‐vehicle collisions.