Each year, wildlife, including deer, bears, wild boars, beavers and more, destroy thousands of acres of agricultural crops . In 2010, it was reported that wildlife in North Carolina caused $29.4 million worth of crop damage. Wildlife damage hurts farmers' yields and also harms plant health. They affect almost all cultures; while primarily affecting corn, soybeans, and peanuts, and can cost farmers hundreds or even thousands of dollars in lost yield. Wildlife damage also harms crop health. This could lead to the spread of disease across crops and even, in rare cases, to humans. Identifying which animal caused the damage is an important part of stopping the damage. Each animal leaves signs that help farmers identify the type of animal causing the damage. The next step after identifying the animal is to prevent it from damaging crops. There are many ways farmers can do this: traps, special permits and noise deterrents. Each farmer must decide how they will manage wildlife that causes damage. Identifying an animal that is causing crop damage can be quite easy if you know what to look for. Tracks, type of damage and droppings are three big identifiers. Each animal leaves distinct signs that can help farmers identify that animal. The deer is probably the most famous animal in the United States. They damage thousands of agricultural acres each year. Identifying a deer is quite simple. Deer have hooves instead of feet. They have two fingers and their toes form a “V” shape when they walk. They can weigh between 50 and 400 pounds depending on the deer's habitat and diet. Most deer are brown with a white chest and white belly. Male deer have antlers that some farmers may see signs of antler rubbing in their crops. White-tailed deer... middle of paper ...... to deter animals from entering. A woven fence is generally the best fencing option. They require little maintenance but can be a little expensive if used on a large plot of land. A fence can be used to prevent wildlife such as deer, bears, wild boars, beavers and many other wild animals from entering the fenced area. Since fencing is very expensive, farmers must decide whether there is enough damage for a fence to be put up and also what the value of the fenced crop is. Farmers can also use sound deterrents to prevent animals from causing crop damage. Sound deterrence involves farmers using loud noises to scare animals. This is usually done while the animals are on the ground doing damage. Propane cannons are typically used for this purpose because they can emit a loud bang and do not fire a projectile. Using blank cartridges in a gun can also work, but it is not as loud as a propane cannon..