All Things Deer

[kmcconaughey]

Yep, they taste all sorts of plants in my yard and garden. Lately they have been nibbling on my squash.

 

[jknight]

Try pumpkins they really like pumpkins and tomato plants

 

[kmcconaughey]

I used to grow pumpkins, I agree, deer really like them. They don't bother my tomato plants much, most likely because I use home made cages made from concrete reinforcing wire. For determinate varieties I use a short cage ~2.5' tall and for the indeterminate varieties I use a full height, ~5' tall cage. Here's a photo of both the tall and short cages:

I use the half height cages around pepper plants as well, not for support but for animal protection. I even made a few different sizes of larger diameter ones for use around zucchini and cucumbers. For the really large ones I don't cut the bottom row of wire off to make spikes, I just let them set on the ground rather than anchor into it. The half height cages even get used in early spring for protecting tulips and other flowers from browsing deer.

 

[rjruchti]

To keep the deer at bay, run a light wire, electric fence wire works fine around the outside of the area you want to protect. Should about 6' about ground. Make loops of wire about a foot long run through the center of a CD. Attach both end to the strung wire. One about every 10-15ft. works for me. Any little breeze or air movement will move the CD which in turn flashes light in all directions. We have not had a deer in the garden for 3 years. Garden is only 200 yds from wooded creek area where we see deer movement almost daily. Keep them away from the area rather than try to protect each plant and let them wonder through.

 

[kmcconaughey]

Was flying the drone over my property yesterday for a few minutes. I was only able to take one short video because, wouldn't you know it, the wind kicked up and made flying it a bit tricky. Anyway, here's a screen capture from the video, an aerial view of the new elevated deer stand. View is looking towards the West. My garden, seen near the top of the photo is about 40 yards from the stand and my house is about 60 yards West of the garden just out of view. Note the little pond, that's around 20 yards from the stand. I've always liked maps and aerial photos, love being able to take my own aerial photos and videos.

 

[mgwin]

Deer will eat anything and everything. I have had them to eat HOT peppers, plants and all.
This year I had around 100 apples on my trees. Now I have none. They have eaten one third of the leaves also, so far.
They are working their way up to the top. The lower part of the trees look like they do in January, nothing but limbs and twigs.

 

[Skip Kmitch]

Deer will eat anything and everything. I have had them to eat HOT peppers, plants and all.
This year I had around 100 apples on my trees. Now I have none. They have eaten one third of the leaves also, so far.
They are working their way up to the top. The lower part of the trees look like they do in January, nothing but limbs and twigs.

 

[Skip Kmitch]

I’ve heard garlic will keep deer away? Anyone have experience that ?
Skip

 

[kmcconaughey]

I’ve heard garlic will keep deer away? Anyone have experience that ?
Skip

I grow LOTS of garlic, they don't eat it but they do walk right through the garlic beds.

 

[dware]

Lead poison will work.

 

[rjruchti]

CD's hung in the apple trees will work there also. Even helps keep the birds away.

 

[dschwandt]

To keep the deer at bay, run a light wire, electric fence wire works fine around the outside of the area you want to protect. Should about 6' about ground. Make loops of wire about a foot long run through the center of a CD. Attach both end to the strung wire. One about every 10-15ft. works for me. Any little breeze or air movement will move the CD which in turn flashes light in all directions. We have not had a deer in the garden for 3 years. Garden is only 200 yds from wooded creek area where we see deer movement almost daily. Keep them away from the area rather than try to protect each plant and let them wonder through.

So, you have to run a yard light to the garden as well??

 

[Stevenovick1]

Saw my first Good Buck last night crossing road 1/4 mile from house. 9:45pm
It’s not the BIG one. But never the less.

 

[Stevenovick1]

checked my Moon dail just for kicks. And what do you know

 

[Stevenovick1]

 

[Stevenovick1]

I caught him at 9:45 Check the time on dail and it was a Red Moon

 

[rjruchti]

So, you have to run a yard light to the garden as well??

Nope. Any light will flash off the CD's, Moon light is plenty. There is usually air movement which will move the CD's the slightest bit is all that is needed. Does not have to be a constant movement. The deer can pick up that flash from a long ways off and will susually stay clear of it. At least it has worked for us the last few years.

 

[kmcconaughey]

Uh oh, this guy spotted my camera and my stand!

 

[gary noblit]

Kraig, that's a "gotcha"...couldn't help but notice antlers polished already but necks not too puffy yet..

 

[kmcconaughey]

He went and got a drink, then calmly walked back by.

A few minutes later a smaller buck walked by and got a drink.

Then either the first buck circled back or it's a third buck, I think it's the same one just circled back and chased the smaller buck away.

I wish the clocks on these cameras would stay in sync better...