In severe damage areas, how far apart should hair bags be hung on the outer branches of each tree?

• A. 1 foot
• B. 2 feet
• C. 3 feet
• D. 4 feet

Answer: (C)

Hair bags deter deer by releasing odor from the collected hair, creating a scent cue that discourages browsing when it surrounds the tree. To be effective, the scent needs to create a continuous, overlapping field around the outer branches that deer approach. Placing bags about three feet apart around each tree provides enough overlap to maintain a deterrent while avoiding unnecessary waste. If you space them farther apart, gaps can form where the scent isn’t strong enough to warn deer; placing them much closer would use more bags without giving much extra benefit. In areas with heavy damage, this 3-foot spacing around the outer canopy helps protect more of the tree’s vulnerable browse zone by maintaining a consistent scent boundary.