How to Keep Deer from Being Afraid of Darting

Make Darting Deer Easier I pulled a dead doe and dead fawn out today. More EHD. Getting used to the stench of death. Darted 7. One young buck comes up for cookies. I darted him out the front door with it barely cracked open after I through him a pile of cookies. As a note for those who dart, everyone knows how difficult it can be to dart multiple times. Even others in the pen start to get nervous. I like to shoot from inside the truck with the gun propped low on the door frame in an open window. As soon as I dart I start throwing cookies. Often the darted deer comes up with the dart still hanging out to eat them. I get out with the gun while they are eating so they can see it while they are getting treats. I studied deer behavior for two masters degrees and that education included studies on many animal behaviors. I took two courses on training horses through behavior modification. Darting is a negative stimulus. Feeding cookies is a positive one. Feeding cookies after darting reinforces a positive influence that will help override the negative one. I'm getting plenty of practice but I'd like for it to be over!!!

Dart Location for Whitetails for Drug Delivery

This is an ideal location for dart impact on a deer. Good muscle mass to absorb the impact. Good blood supply for drug uptake. More margin for error.

Darting deer with more than one drug using 2 darts

You're not supposed to mix drugs even though some seem to work well. Did you know you can piggy back darts? Put the first dart in with one drug then stick the next one behind it with a different drug. I learned this from Keith Amass DVM, founder of Safe Capture International.  You'll have to practice playing around with pressures to see what your POI will be. The second dart will likely be slightly lower than the first. That's a lot better than shooting a deer with one dart then trying to get close enough for the next.  If you're treating for EHD, you could use a compounded Dexamethasone strong enough to put in a small dart and then follow that with a second dart of antibiotics.

EHD Treatment with Dexamethasone

I've had a few EHD cases. Having good luck with Dexamethasone. I had it compounded to 12mg/ml. I can give a strong 24mg dose in a 2cc dart. In my opinion most people I know using Dexamethasone aren't hitting them hard enough. I discussed dosage with my vet and that's what has been working for us. I can shoot dex once and usually see improvement the next day. Talk to your vet about dosages and compounding. Be sure to give it with an antibiotic. It's been a miracle drug for me. I may give dex for several days if necessary but I'll give a bump of the antibiotics a few days after the initial dose.