BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: MarkS
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 08:58 AM

Eight foot fence on the garden.

Open the property to grandpaws bow hunting friends at the right time of year.

Allow them to browse unmolested in the pasture.

Seems to work out best for all concerned, and in fall we get a contribution of venison.

Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: moongoddess
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 09:15 AM

This is a cheap way to keep deer out of the garden. An organic gardener told me about this. He uses it on his garden and it works. Mix one quart of water with one egg. Pour it around your plants. Similar to Liquid Fence, but a lot cheaper.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: gnu
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 11:05 AM

Does the farmer have chickens?

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Bobert
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 11:37 AM

We used Liquid Fence with great success for several years... It wasn't 100% and the young deer would sample regardless... Certain plants would get eaten even with the Liquid Fence: acubas and hostas being the main ones...

The deer fence isn't 8 fett... It's 7 1/2 feet, black plastic with 2 inch squares and tough... We've had a couple attempted breakins but the deer isn't strong enough to break it...

People say that deer can jump over a 7 1/2 foot fence... Well, we back up to the Shenandoah National Park which is the largest game refuge in Virginia and we have thousands of deer and if they can jump over a 7 1/2 foot fence none of these have ever pulled it off...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: olddude
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 11:44 AM

I THREW a dead road kill deer carcass near the garden once, it worked ok for me .. don't use the whole thing. rots and stinks however and you get skunks and other critters use a head on a stick near by

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: olddude
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 11:52 AM

I think the dead deer worked because it attracts coyotes and deer are afraid of them for good reason ... hmmm now that I think about it ... they do make very good coyote attraction lure that guys use for hunting .. i bet that was the reason .. or maybe the rotting deer cover up the smell of the garden ... either way ... not the best solution .. fence is a sure way ... in PA we have them all over the place to keep them off the highway

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: gnu
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 06:58 PM

Bobert... never jumped the fence... that's on accounta you got them small White Tails. Even yer bucks can't do it on accounta their overfed antlers. Well, that's what I see on the TV shows.

Up here, 8 foot is SFA to ours. I seen one clear a deadfall pine 12' high and 20' wide on his second jump from lay. Took a call on his cell in mid-flight.

I had him dead to rights with the Dirty but he and I played tag for three falls and I couldn't pull. I just enjoyed watching a 280# buck show me his physical prowess.

That may sound terrible to non-hunters, but well, I don't care. They are tastey. And, I imagine he died of old age... I hope.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Alice
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 07:06 PM

I'm glad you got the fence up and it works, Bobert. It's the only sure way I know of to defeat garden deer.

We have deer come through the neighborhood sometimes in the fall looking for apples.

I have two permanent resident deer - photos here:


CLICK

I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille.


Alice

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 Jun 10 - 10:14 PM

Deer are tough to handle.
A daughter and son in law have a ranchette (Western term for anything under a section). A neighbor's cattle graze the grass under the trees on the part not in hay or around the house. Reduces fire hazard. They have electric fencing around the yard, but of course that is illegal in town and many suburban areas.

A grandson lives in a small town in central B. C., and moose not only graze on everything growing but sack out on the lawn at night.

The liquid fence sounds interesting. Fence to keep out deer (or moose) is too expensive if the area is large. Barb wire controls most cattle but little else.

Dogs are useful in one area, but the place in B. C. has that law Bobert mentioned.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 04:52 PM

I talked with my daughter.

Nothing will work except a deer-proof fence.
Just be glad that you don't have to contend with moose as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: gnu
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 06:27 PM

I watched (I am still rather upset) a vid a few hours ago sent to me by email of a deer attacking a dog in a residential area. The deer had a fawn and, of course, a dog is to be attacked with extreme predjudice. And it was. Not Mom's fault. It's in her statement of duties and qualifications. I was taken aback that the humans were so inept at dealing with the situation, but, it's not in their "statement" to know what to do.

As far as I am concerned, humans own their space. As far as letting wild animals infringe on human property, it's ludicrous. If any tree-hugger says differently, they should go live in the wilds with the animals and give up their space amongst the humans.

Moose on my front lawn? Breakfast.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 06:32 PM

My dyslexic eyes keep seeing "Deafening Deer," and I wonder what they're doing that is so very noisy.

Hope you've sorted 'em out!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Bobert
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 06:43 PM

LOL. Magz...

Actually, deer are some very quiet animals... And sneaky...

Anyone want quote on deer fence, let me know... Ol' Boberdz gonna cut ya'll a deal and the fence will come right to yer door...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Greg F.
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 06:46 PM

a deer attacking a dog in a residential area

Was the dog on a leash?

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: gnu
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 06:53 PM

Was the dog on a leash?

Bullshit.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Joe Offer
Date: 29 Jun 10 - 07:30 PM

I've been very happy with 6-foot-high deer fence from Benner's Gardens. It's black plastic mesh and almost invisible. We haven't had a deer in the garden for seven years. It took some damage from a bear and from a deer's antlers, but it held firm.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: romanyman
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 02:32 AM

me id use a 12 gauge with number ons solid shot thats a stopper

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Greg F.
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 09:44 AM

#1 is just gonna annoy 'em- ya want 00 Buckshot.

So, Gnu- was the dog on a leash or not? "Bullshit" doesn't help much. Or, how about sharing this video with us?

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: gnu
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 12:44 PM

Greg F... would you care to post two responses? One to "yes" and one to "no".

I have no way to "post" the clip here.

Hmmm... the dog was not threatening the fawn and did not attempt to even defend itself from the doe. It went to ground... perhaps an old dog that knew it could not outrun the doe.

I really don't understand why it makes a difference. The dog belonged where it was. The deer did not.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: gnu
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 12:52 PM

Oops... sorry. The dog did not go to ground. It tried to get away, but it's obviously an old dog that couldn't get away... here.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: maeve
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 01:03 PM

Easy enough to find the video with Mr. Google; I was more surprised by the poor judgement of the folks watching than by a doe with a young fawn attacking the dog (and threatening the cat.) I noted that the cat first rubbed its scent on the hidden fawn (bound to worry the doe) and that the doe signalled the fawn to drop and freeze just before she went for the dog. We can't know what triggered that reaction since the unleashed dog was out of camera view at the time.

When wild and tame worlds collide there will be such scenes.

We've had deer problems decrease over the years; partly because many of the older deer have been hit crossing the road, and partly because we've fenced what we could and changed the landscape to feel less safe to the deer. We still had some munching going on in our young orchard this winter and early spring because we weren't able to be there after the house burned. If we can hang on and protect the orchard another couple of years, the trees should be able to withstand a few nibbles.

A deer fence would be my choice if we could afford it. The neighbors who insisted on feeding the deer have moved. We'll see what happens with the critters that have been conditioned to expect food from humans.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: maeve
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 01:16 PM

There is further information on the dog/deer incident here.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Greg F.
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 01:44 PM

As I suspected. The incient was caused by irresponsible pet owners and folks totally ignorant about wild animals.

The dog was not "where it belonged"- which was confined to the owner's property or on a leash ifd it was off the property.

The cat was allowed to roam freely- also not where it "belonged".

Then there's the idiots behind the camera who thouight it was "cute" to watch the cat mess with a wild animal instead of shooing the cat off and staying the hell away from the fawn themselves. They ARE lucky the didn't get hurt due to their stupidity.

Since it appears that dogs are allowed to roam freely in Cranbrook, I'm sure that doe has been chased by dogs more than once in its life which - in addition to the presence of the fawn - might explain her antipathy toward canids.

I also note from maps & satellite photos that Cranbrook has a number of large parks and golf courses, and is surrounded by wooded areas and a whole raft of Provincial Parks ans National Forest. So why should it be unusual to see an occasional deer?

Back to idiots for a minute: I'm sure that there are folks in that neighborhood who feed the deer because they think they're "cute". Too many deer in suburban Cranbrook? Take it up with them.

I'm rooting for the deer.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: gnu
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 02:05 PM

Greg F... you are sure about a lot of things it seems. None of which you have any proof or knowledge of.

And THEN... shoot the cat? That is truly the post of a troll.

I shall ignore your posts in the future.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: maeve
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 03:00 PM

Friend gnu- Look again; Greg F. said, "instead of shooing the cat off..." Not shoot. ;)

Back to defeating deer in the garden...

I got rid of a mess of old eggs the other day. Mixed 'em up with garlic, soap, and water in a bucket, then poured the smelly mess along one of our garden boundaries. Funny thing, that. No new deer tracks along there.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Greg F.
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 03:10 PM

Thus Spake Gnu:
None of which you have any proof or knowledge of.

I do, actually: I watched the clip & looked at a map. Not all that arcane, surely.

I shall ignore your posts in the future.

Please do! I'd appreciate it.

PS: Learn to read.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: maeve
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 03:13 PM

Boundaries are challenging for humans, too.

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: gnu
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 03:30 PM

OH MY! I am batting ZERO PERCENT today... "shooing the cat off". I really messed up. Sorry Greg. I'd blame it on the meds, but I've been on them for a while and haven't messed up that bad until now... that I know of anyway.

As fars as, "I'm sure that doe has been chased by dogs more than once in its life...", and, "I'm sure that there are folks in that neighborhood who feed the deer because they think they're "cute".", I don't know how you have proof or knowledge thereof. If so, the humans are definitely to blame.

Again, sorry for the mistake. I was over-reacting to your post as I did the first time... no doubt. My bad.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Greg F.
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 04:14 PM

Hi, Gnu-

Thanks, man. No problem. Been there, done that myself, as the saying goes.

RE: "been chased by dogs" & "feed the deer" I probably should have said "in my experience of similar situations, it has almost always been the case..."

All best,

Greg

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: gnu
Date: 30 Jun 10 - 04:35 PM

Thanks Greg. Appreciated.

BTW... I shoulda known you wouldn'a said "shoot" the cat. They don't taste near as good as deer... takes too many for a BBQ anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: maeve
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 07:13 AM

In the meantime the ads are promoting "Deer Spirit Renewal" and "Liquid Fence".

maeve

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Bobert
Date: 01 Jul 10 - 10:37 AM

Liquid Fence, as I have stated, is the best product out there short of deer fence... We used it for years with a good amount of success... However, it was not 100% as the deer would routinely eat treated acuba and hostas dwon the the nubs... Thus, we have enclosed close to 6 acres and life is wonderful... Other critter still find their way in including racoons but I can live with them...

BTW, seein' as I am a distributor now for Benner Fence products, I can ship the fence right to yer door cheaper than you can buy it... Guarenteed!!!

No, I don't install it but I have lots of experience which I'd share with anyone who needs it...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 03:02 PM

A grandson's lot in a central B. C. town has a small knoll in back. A moose and calf have taken it over as a bedding site every night.

They have a large dog that is supposed to keep animals away, but it has accepted the moose. This is the first year in the house so no fence or other physical deterrent. The only plants they have put in are rhubarb so they have decided to live with the moose- which chases other moose and deer away so the bargain, although uneasy, isn't too bad.

On the other hand, a daughter in southern B. C. likes flowers and shrubs, so she will fence to keep deer out. They eat everything that is above grass level. The lot is large so she will fence only near the house.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: gnu
Date: 09 Jul 10 - 03:28 PM

Q... A moose and calf...

I hope they know enough to never approach the calf and NEVER EVER get between them. Even mowing the lawn or whatever, they have to be constantly aware of the proximity and spacial relationship between cow and calf.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 18 Nov 10 - 07:02 PM

FWIW - Just released

Christmas Tree Growers Fight Deer Damage.

Maybe you need to bury a corpse that choked on an omelet in the garden?

John

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 03:31 AM

How about a life size model of a hound or wild cat positioned by things in the garden that you don't want eaten or destroyed. A bit like a wild animal scarecrow. Whether a deer is wise enough to cotton on to it in time I don't know.

Subject: RE: BS: Defeating Deer in the Garden
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 19 Nov 10 - 07:42 AM

Never been there. Deer do come into the bit of field we rent once or twice a year but you hope/pray/whatever your wording is that they do not come in and destroy the veg plot. To date the deer (I think from Gunton) have not.

Have suspicions of a little one, a munjac taking a fancy to some of our windfall apples though.