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  • From: Don Yellman <dyellman@earthlink.net>
  • To: nafex@egroups.com
  • Subject: [nafex] Foiling the Deer
  • Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 22:30:20 -0700

Armando:

1. With all the weather problems you have had up there in VT, it really
does seem that having the deer eat your young trees is insult to injury.

2. We have had a number of discussions on deer over the past year on
this board. They get my attention, since deer pressures have increased
geometrically here in Fairfax County, VA, and I have had a lot of things
ruined. They are in my yard or close by nearly every night now, from
early spring to winter. Nothing of any consequence is being done to
control their numbers, because of the squeamishness of local politicians
and their unwillingness to face down the small groups of animal rights
protesters and their umbrella groups such as the Fund for Animals, based
in Washington, D.C.. Apparently, none of these people are gardeners,
and, I suspect, few of them have much common sense.
3. I have tried a lot of different measures. Several "critter gitter"
alarms are scattered around my yard, and a motion detector which alerts
me in the bedroom. When it souinds, I run out in the yard, regardless
of the hour, and put pellets into the deer. But this is a temporary
measure, and what a pain in the neck. Have also tried a number of
different spray products, as well as wolf and puma scent. The sprays
provide temporary protection, but wear off quickly with rain, and
provide no protection as the plants put on new growth.
4. Two weeks ago I decided to try the method suggested by J.N. Fischer,
nafexer and one of my near neighbors from Oakton, VA. Jack strings
monofilament fishing line along posts to protect vulnerable areas of his
yard. It is his view that deer are spooked by touching something they
cannot see, and they will seldom try to cross the monofilament barrier.
5. I drove in a few steel posts, and strung the monofilament around my
garden --- areas that had been particularly devastated by the deer. I
have a large patch of gladioulus, and grow climbing blue lake beans
along a 30 foot fence. The deer had been nipping off all the glads just
as they began to open, and had left no leaves at all on the climbing
beans. I felt this was the toughest test I could give the monofilament
method.
6. At this juncture, I can report that the deer have not crossed the
barrier. The glads have resumed budding and blooming, the bean vines
have put out new leaf growth, and peppers, beets, and strawberry plants
have been left alone.
7. I thought that the monofilament would be a nuisance around the
garden and beds, and really intended it only as a temporary trial. But
I have decided to accustom myself to ducking under it because it is
working. It is true that deer will figure out and adapt themselves to
some preventive measures, and, over the long term, they may wise up to
the monofilament. But Jack has used it for quite some time, and I think
it is still working for him. Before I would let those deer finish off
your young fruit trees, I think I would try it. Most of the other
remedies I have tried have been quite expensive, but you can string a
lot of monofilament for only a few dollars. So there is not much risk,
and you might be pleased with the result.

Rgds, Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA


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