Is your yard starting to feel like a buffet for deer or a late-night hangout for raccoons? Living in Morgan’s Point Resort means you share your neighborhood with Central Texas wildlife, and that can be a good thing when you know how to manage it. With a few smart yard habits and clear pet rules, you can protect your landscaping, keep your pets safe, and avoid fines. In this guide, you’ll learn practical steps you can use right away, plus where to find trusted resources for local rules and safety. Let’s dive in.
Wildlife in Morgan’s Point Resort
You live in an area where white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, skunks, coyotes, squirrels, and native birds are common. Deer are the top culprits when it comes to nibbling shrubs and garden beds. You may notice browsing increase in fall and winter when natural food is scarce. In late spring, young deer can be less cautious.
Raccoons are active around food sources year-round. Unsecured trash, pet food, and fallen fruit are the biggest draws. Your goal is to remove easy meals and make your yard less inviting.
Yard smarts: start with attractants
Wildlife goes where food is easy. Start here to reduce activity fast.
Remove food temptations
- Feed pets indoors or remove bowls right after outdoor meals. Never leave pet food out overnight.
- Secure bird seed and hummingbird feeders. Use spill-proof designs and place feeders away from vulnerable beds.
- Clean grill grates and outdoor cooking areas. Food residue can attract critters from a distance.
- Keep compost in a secure bin and avoid adding meat or dairy.
Lock down your trash
- Use animal-resistant containers with tight, lockable lids.
- Store cans in a garage or shed until collection day if possible.
- Double-knot liners and consider a bungee or chain to keep lids sealed.
- If problems continue, build or buy a lidded trash corral.
Protect plants with smart design
A mix of plant choices and placement can cut browsing.
Choose deer-resistant plants
Pick species that are less appealing to deer and suited to Central Texas. For ideas, review region-specific recommendations from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Use these as a base, then test a few options to see what works in your yard.
Use layout to your advantage
Keep your most vulnerable plants closer to the house or patio and away from deer travel paths like tree lines. Tuck valued edibles behind fencing or inside beds you can net quickly. Try sacrificial plantings in easier-to-reach spots to divert browsing from prized shrubs.
Guard young trees and beds
Wrap trunks or use mesh tree guards 3 to 4 feet high to prevent rub and browse. Lightweight netting, cloches, or simple cages can protect seasonal beds and new shrubs while they establish.
Fencing and physical barriers
Physical exclusion is the most reliable way to keep deer out.
Full-exclusion fences
If you want near-total deer control, install a single barrier fence about 8 feet high. This is the gold standard for exclusion. If your lot or budget cannot support that height, use layered strategies.
Small-lot solutions
Try double fencing by placing two shorter fences a few feet apart. Deer struggle to clear both layers. You can also pair a lower fence with a dense hedge or use woven-wire fencing in target zones. For gardens, seasonal netting or low cages offer flexible protection.
Deterrents that work together
Repellents and scare devices can help, but they are most effective when rotated and combined with other steps.
Use and rotate repellents
Taste and scent repellents, including capsaicin-based products or those with putrescent egg solids, can reduce browsing. Reapply after rain and switch products occasionally because deer can get used to one scent or taste.
Motion-activated tools
Motion-activated lights and sprinklers can startle deer and raccoons without harming them. Place devices where animals enter, and move them from time to time so wildlife does not learn the pattern.
What to skip and legal notes
Avoid traps or chemicals that may be illegal or harmful. Before you try to capture or relocate any wild animal, review Texas Parks & Wildlife Department guidance on living with wildlife. In many cases, trapping or relocation requires permits or must be handled by professionals.
Keep pets safe and compliant
Following city rules protects your pet and your neighbors.
Vaccines and registration basics
Most Texas cities require current rabies vaccinations for dogs, and many also require it for cats. City registration and tags are common, and proof of rabies vaccination is usually needed for registration. Check the City of Morgan’s Point Resort’s official Animal Control or Code Enforcement page for current forms, fees, and procedures.
Leash and nuisance rules
Expect leash requirements in public areas. At home, pets should not roam or create a nuisance such as continuous barking. City code typically covers the number of pets allowed, dangerous or at-large animals, and impound procedures. When in doubt, confirm details on the city’s official site.
Health and safety around wildlife
- Keep rabies vaccinations current. Review state guidance on exposure and prevention from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
- If a person or pet is bitten, follow CDC guidance on rabies prevention and bites and contact your doctor or veterinarian right away.
- Use year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, since Central Texas pests can carry disease.
- Supervise pets outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk. Small pets are vulnerable to coyotes or large raptors.
- Microchip your pets and keep contact info up to date. Learn more from the AVMA on microchipping and pet identification.
When to call for help
If you see a sick, injured, or aggressive animal, do not try to handle it. Contact city animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for guidance. For general coexistence tips and humane strategies, see the Humane Society’s wildlife deterrent tips and the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department for legal and safety considerations.
Quick checklists
Yard safety checklist
- Secure trash with lockable lids and store cans indoors until pickup day.
- Remove outdoor pet food and spilled bird seed.
- Keep compost in sealed bins and clean grills after use.
- Inspect fences, add mesh around vulnerable beds.
- Install motion-activated lights or sprinklers at entry points.
- Plant deer-resistant species and guard young trees.
Pet compliance checklist
- Keep rabies vaccination current and save the certificate.
- Register your pet with the City of Morgan’s Point Resort and attach the city tag to the collar.
- Microchip your pet and verify your contact details.
- Follow local leash and nuisance rules in public and at home.
If wildlife becomes a hazard
- Do not approach or attempt to capture the animal.
- Contact city animal control or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
- For native wildlife questions or legal issues, consult Texas Parks & Wildlife.
- If a person or pet was bitten, seek medical or veterinary care immediately and report the bite to local authorities.
Planning a move in Central Texas?
A wildlife-smart yard and clear pet records help your home show well and keep your family safe. If you are considering buying or selling around Morgan’s Point Resort, get local guidance that blends neighborhood insight with thoughtful, family-first service. Reach out to Unknown Company for a friendly conversation and get your free home valuation.
FAQs
Do I need to register my pet in Morgan’s Point Resort?
- Most Texas cities require current rabies vaccination and city registration for dogs, and often for cats. Check the city’s official Animal Control or Code Enforcement page for exact rules and forms.
What stops deer from eating my plants?
- Combine strategies: remove attractants, fence key areas, choose deer-resistant plants, and rotate repellents and motion-activated deterrents.
How do I raccoon-proof my trash?
- Use lockable lids, store cans in a garage or shed until pickup, double-knot liners, and secure lids with a bungee or chain. Consider a lidded trash corral if problems persist.
Can I trap or relocate wildlife myself?
- Often you need permits, and relocation may be restricted. Review Texas Parks & Wildlife guidance and contact city animal control before taking action.
What should I do if my pet is bitten by a wild animal?
- Seek immediate veterinary care and notify local animal control. Keep rabies vaccinations up to date and follow CDC rabies guidance for exposure steps.
