Old timer said, "You don't want wild Deer in the yard don't have grass growing."...is that true?

Depends upon where you are living. Deer don't come around urban areas, but do hang out if you live near a forested one. Deer will eat grass. But they prefer all your OTHER stuff ! 

First of all, ALL deer are wild ! LOL!

The deer that come out of the woods to graze on my property do not eat the grass, ever. They eat my Hostas and Tulips...the ONLY plants I grow that are not deer resistant.

They seem to find plenty to eat around my place that isn't grass or anything else you'd find in a lawn, so I don't know why the presence or absence of grass would make any difference.

They eat the clover and alfalfa and chamomile and thyme that you have growing in your grass (you call them weeds...but they have names).  Unfortunately they poo out the seeds in their manure which gives the seeds fertilizer so the weeds sprout fast and takeover your yard.

And that attracts more deer.

I say get a decent shotgun and a good recipe book...and an Instapot.  You will be eating like King Henry the 8th!

Deer don't eat grass.  They eat weeds, like the vegetables in your garden and the brush bushes around you house.

White tail Deer do not eat grass, so no.