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Decatur, IL

Right now I'm too exasperated to really think straight, but let's just suffice it to say that I'm pretty ticked! I got up early to cut some male flowers to save for some females that will probably open in a couple of days and found the tips of the main vines on two of my plants and a number of secondaries on another eaten off. I know it was deer because I saw a pile of deer poop close by. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prevent further damage other than using land mines?
I'd greatly appreciate any help I can get. Right now, part of me wants to throw in the towel for the season.
Charlie

6/21/2005 7:23:45 AM

Rainbowlake Alberta

I know how you feel all the time and effort we put in a bang a set back, I had frost the other night get me, Not expected 20 above c that day and 25 c the next but in between that the unexpected no warning , as for the deer try putting out a noise maker like a whrily gig or better yet a 308 with a trip attached to the trigger, dont give up, hang in there, and good luck.

6/21/2005 7:51:18 AM

Rhode Island

I don't know how big your patch is but a good cheap way of keeping them out is to stake off the patch and get some heavy salt water fishing line....fence off the patch with the line...the deer cant see it but when they bump it it deters them and they will usually go around...they won't jump over something they can't see!

6/21/2005 8:37:44 AM

NEPA [email protected] KB3QKV

Venison Steaks in Mushroom Sauce

Ingredients:
4 Venison steaks, cut in serving pieces flour to coat steaks
1/2 Stick butter
1 Can cream mushroom soup
1 4oz. Can sliced mushrooms, drained
10 oz. Milk

Directions:
Dust both sides of venison pieces with flour. Melt butter in a frying pan over medium High heat, add meat and brown on both sides. While steak is browning, mix soup, Mushrooms, and milk until well blended. Pour over browned meat and simmer for 20 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Add more milk and reduce heat if the sauce becomes to thick.
Serves: 4
:D :D :D
Seriously now, Try Deeroff: Rutgers University ranked deeroff number 1 out of 35 repellents tested. Now labeled for rabbits and squirrels.
I have also read:
Nylon stocking with human hair inside (no luck here)
hanging mirrors/ tinfoil strips
human urine, predator urine or droppings
deodorant soap
dried blood bloodmeal in a cloth bag
milorganite
commercial products but Nylon stocking with human hair inside
hanging mirrors/ tinfoil strips
human urine, predator urine or droppings
deodorant soap
dried blood bloodmeal in a cloth bag
milorganite
commercial products but Nylon stocking with human hair inside
hanging mirrors/ tinfoil strips
human urine, predator urine or droppings
deodorant soap
dried blood bloodmeal in a cloth bag
milorganite
commercial products but Any repellant can become ineffective in a short time when the deer realize that they have nothing to fear, so this may become more trouble than its worth.

6/21/2005 8:48:19 AM

Ohio

JRB,

I Like that idea,thanks for the tip.

Brooks

6/21/2005 10:45:02 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I had deer eating pumpkins until I installed a 6 strand, 6' high electric fence. I also planted ladino clover plots to give them alternative food sources. Plus my son shooting an arrow through the heart of a buck last fall didn't hurt either. I have had luck keeping deer off my trees by hanging small bars of soap, the kind you get at hotels. Leave the wrapper on so it doesn't melt too fast in the rain. The perfume smell keeps deer away. Mice like to eat soap, so I wouldn't get it too near my pumpkins.

6/21/2005 11:51:17 AM

Decatur, IL

Thanks for the tips everybody! JRB, when you talked about heavy salt water fishing line, did you mean monofilament line and what test?
Charlie

6/21/2005 12:47:09 PM

Sioux Falls, SD [email protected]

Menard's has deer netting pretty cheap. . I think its about a 7x100 ft roll and its not an eyesore. I use an old radio turned down low and tuned to a talk station.

6/21/2005 8:29:36 PM

Follansbee, Wv

I have found that training the deer early in the season works very well. My electric fence is no more than three feet high, and I live in an area that has a healthy deer population. When I first put the fence up, before any plants go in, I hang several small square pieces of aluminum foil (about 3"x3") from the top wire of the fence. On the foil, I place a tablespoon full of peanut butter mixed with alfalfa. I then plug in the fence every night. When the deer lick the peanut butter, they learn to stay away from the fence. About a week before I plant I remove the foil. I have never had a deer in the garden after the fence goes up.

6/21/2005 9:00:27 PM

Rhode Island

Hey guys !!!!! The tip I got from an old customer of mine was to stake off the patch and simply run a high test monofilament line....salt water line being stronger....make a few runs back and forth between the stakes and continue on till the patch is surrounded to your needs....pretty cool!!!! the good part is I haven't had to use it yet!!!!!.....grow em big!

6/21/2005 9:35:51 PM

Amherst, WI

I had to go with a 10 foot wire fence. Two years ago I used the deer netting, and thought I had the deer problem licked. Then one morning I went out to check on the patch, and found that the deer had jumped through a seam where I joined the netting together, ate my peas, and turned the radio to a country station.

6/21/2005 10:40:07 PM

Sioux Falls, SD [email protected]

Not country!!!
That'll just attract more pests!

6/22/2005 12:27:56 AM

Nashville, TN

OK - my garden is surounded on three sides by horse/goat/cow pasture.... If a goat can't get through my 'deterent systems' then a deer won't either **grin** and goats are much more determined and not afraid of humans!! And we do have lots of deer visiting my herd's salt blocks....

Go to local farm store.. generally they will all carry 'cattle panels' - which are heavy gauge, 16'X5' panels.. You put them up with three metal 'T posts' per panel.. (they bend fairly easy so you can have sharp or rounded corners..) I tie them together with old hay rope... This will keep my horses & cattle out - goats & deer are another issue.... So I add two more 'deterents'..

I string a line of hot wire all the way around the top. Keeps out all but ONE of my goats (think she jumps it!) So for her - I put one rather anoying, very noisy, small dog in the garden.. This dog will chase, nip her nose, and just won't leave her ANY PEACE for grazing! So she stays out of the garden for her own sanity **grin** And the little dog has a HUGE 'pen' for the entire summer...So far the deer have stayed out as well - guess that goat has told them about that little B**** of a dog!!!

6/22/2005 9:06:18 AM