Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management
Research-based Wildlife Control Technology and Management Information from Experts Who Care
Skip Navigation Links.
Collapse Damage IdentificationDamage Identification
Collapse IndoorsIndoors
Chimney
Black/Brown Scat
White Scat
Hole Size
Collapse OutdoorsOutdoors
Gardens/Grass
Ground Holes
Collapse Trees/Shrubs/BushesTrees/Shrubs/Bushes
Bark Stripping
Deck/Shed/Porch
Crop Damage
Livestock
Vehicles
Unsure/Bad Smell
Identifying the Animal Species Causing Crop Damage
alfalfa harvestJason Gilsdor in a Nebraska cornfield

This page contains a series of questions that will help guide you in determining the wildlife species that is damaging your crops.

Is the damage occuring to:

Corn?

Soybeans?
corn soybeans

Corn

deer damage corn cob

Corn Damage Identification by Species

Deer Damage to Corn

Key signs: deer tracks

  1. Tracks:
  2. Deer are browsers, so damage will be scattered throughout the field, but more concentrated near their travel areas.
  3. Note how the cob has been bitten in half.




raccon corn damage Raccoon Damage to Corn

Key signs:

  1. Knock the stalks over.
  2. Strip the husk off the corncob (like we would) then eat all the kernels on the cob.
  3. Cobs will frequently have a muddied appearance as dirt from the raccoons paws will transfer to the cob.




Soybeans

Soybean Damage Identification by Species

Corn Damage Identification by Species

Deer Damage to Corn

Key signs:

  1. Cuts to stem will have a ragged appearance because deer lack upper incisors. In contrast, damage caused by woodchucks or rabbits will have a clean cut appearance, often at a 45 degree angle.