Did you know that feeding deer in our Lake Holiday Community and all of Frederick County is banned year-round? Illegal feeding of deer is subject to a county fine of up to $500. Residents are asked to please comply with this law.
It is important to follow the no feeding ban for the health and safety of all the people and wildlife that share Lake Holiday. In 2009, the first deer in Virginia with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) were detected in Frederick County. The purpose of the no feeding ban is to manage the spread of CWD. While this disease is not known to pose a risk to humans, it is recommended that hunters have their harvested deer tested before consuming.
Problems associated with feeding deer include unnaturally increasing population numbers, increasing damage to natural habitats, increasing likelihood for disease transmission, increasing human-deer conflict such as deer/vehicle collisions, and diminishing the wild nature of deer. Lyme disease is an example of the increasing likelihood for disease transmission. Many animals in Lake Holiday including deer can carry deer ticks which play a role in transmitting Lyme disease. Deer eat both native and expensive landscaping. Around your home, try planting what deer do not like to eat. With less rain this year, the deer seem to be eating more than just their favorites. Using products that make plants unpalatable to deer can be helpful.
The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries has a wildlife conflict hotline (1-855-571-9003). The Lake Holiday community could ask to have deer management assistance by working with a VDGIF representative (dgif.virginia.gov).
