Firearm laws within city limits, a lack of predators and an abundance of manicured landscaping can all increase deer populations.

"Cities are refuges," said Charles Lee, Kansas State University’s wildlife damage control specialist.

U.S. winters rarely cut into deer numbers except in the most northern states. So, any landscape can be at risk each spring, when deer and fawns select their grazing territories for the coming growing season.

"Chasing them out after they’ve learned your landscape and garden provide good eating can be very difficult," Lee warned.

Deer tend to be creatures of habit, however. So, if they learn not to like a yard in early spring, they’ll tend to leave it alone.

"You basically have to teach the deer to go elsewhere," the specialist said. "You can set up adversarial conditions that include frightening devices or repellents."

Dogs tend to be natural adversaries. If left outdoors, they can do a good job of frightening deer away in a matter of days, Lee said. But, local leash laws and noise ordinances may limit the role dogs can play in protecting valuable plantings.

That’s why the specialist believes the most effective approach for many city dwellers is to shop at a farm supply store.

"For gardens, I recommend polyethylene fence netting that’s reinforced with strands of stainless steel. It comes in widths of up to about 40 inches, and you can mount it on fiberglass posts. Get some stainless steel-reinforced polyethylene tape, too, and an energizer to put a charge through the metal strands," Lee said.

This type of fencing also will cut down on raccoon and rabbit damage. And, although it won’t be a physical barrier for deer -- which can easily jump above 6 feet -- the fence can be a psychological barrier.

"The idea is to make sure deer see your fence, but stop to smell or lick it before they jump – so they get a shock. You ‘bait’ the fence with something like peanut oil, peanut butter or apple flavor," he said. "The electrical charge won’t physically harm the deer – or, for that matter, the raccoons or rabbits or neighborhood cat. If you can get them to touch it, though, the shock should frighten wildlife into looking elsewhere for food."

Lee suggests this setup to protect gardens: (1) a perimeter of 2-foot wide netting that’s mounted on posts, starting at ground level; (2) a ribbon-like row of tape, 6 inches above the top of the netting; (3) another tape row, 12 inches above the first one; and (4) bait spread at intervals on tapes and netting.

Some neighborhood agreements may not allow such an atypical-looking arrangement. In that case, a strategy that sometimes works is to frighten deer away with an impressive noise display.

"Make sure you check local ordinances before you try this," Lee advised. "And remember you’ll have to create the noise when the deer are present – which can mean losing some sleep and bothering your neighbors."

Noisy leftover fireworks can do the job, he said. Or, homeowners can investigate the shellcrackers, whistle bombs and propane cannons that farmers use to try to frighten deer away from crop fields.

Deer control repellents are available in most nurseries and garden supply stores.

"I personally haven’t had consistent success with them, but people have told me about instances of repellents’ working very well," Lee said. "As you might expect, some seem to be more effective than others. A rotten egg odor probably works best. Some fungicide- and hot pepper-based products are pretty good, too.

"Read the product label before buying, though. Some repellents are safe to use on fruit and vegetable crops, and some aren’t. Some don’t stay effective very long, particularly in wet conditions."