Summertime is around the corner; and gardeners are excited to dig into the soil and start growing fruits and vegetables that can be used as side dishes on the 4th of July among other picnics and parties. But, gardeners will start to see new faces on lawns and gardens...and an increase in wildlife populations, as well. Here are the top wild animals that will stir-up trouble in gardens this summer:

• Deer/Fawns
• Rabbits/Bunnies
• Coyotes/Pups
• Foxes/Kits

Deer mating season was in fall; and late-spring/early summer is when fawns come into the world. January was coyote/fox breeding season; and rabbits start breeding in March. 

While deer will stay close by their mothers for up to a year, bunnies will leave nests three weeks after birth. Coyotes and foxes will leave packs in October/November when they become "teenagers" and fend for their own food.

Because of wildlife mating, home growers will start to see double, even triple at times. It's best to protect gardens in spring with wildlife fencing and other deer management strategies such as growing plants for deer resistance. 

Be prepared to re-route wildlife movement in summer with proven wildlife management strategies.