Excitation functions of the $$^{86}$$
86
Sr(d,n)$$^{87m,87g}$$
87
m
,
87
g
Y, $$^{86}$$
86
Sr(d,2n)$$^{86m,86g}$$
86
m
,
86
g
Y and $$^{86}$$
86
Sr(d,3n)$$^{85m,85g}$$
85
m
,
85
g
Y reactions on enriched $$^{86}$$
86
Sr target were measured by the activation technique up to deuteron energies of 49 MeV. The isomeric cross-section ratios as a function of projectile energy were deduced from the measured data for $$^{87m}$$
87
m
Y, $$^{87g}$$
87
g
Y(cum), $$^{86m}$$
86
m
Y, $$^{86g}$$
86
g
Y(cum), $$^{85m}$$
85
m
Y and $$^{85g}$$
85
g
Y pairs for the same energy range. All measurements are reported for the first time. The experimental data were compared with the data from the TENDL library which is based on TALYS calculation with default parameters. No satisfactory agreement was observed. Nuclear model calculations were then performed using the codes TALYS and EMPIRE with some parameter adjustments, and compared with the experimental data. The quality of the agreement between experimental data and model calculations was numerically quantified. In general, the data as well as the isomeric cross-section ratios are partially reproduced by the model calculations, provided the input model parameters are properly chosen and the level structure of the product nucleus is thoughtfully considered.