Rats With Antlers!

Yes, I'm talking about deer. We have a real problem with deer in our neighborhood.  Twenty years ago we didn't have any deer at all.  I remember my excitement when I saw the first one.  Now we see not a single deer, but herds of them visit almost daily--except during hunting season!  I kid you not!  Our excitement has turned into a struggle to protect everything that grows.

It is frustrating that we cannot eliminate these "rats with antlers" when they are destroying our property. Some have suggested tall fencing.  Have you ever seen a deer leap?  I have!  A large dog might help, but that is not a satisfactory solution for many (including me).  Choosing vegetation (flowers and shrubs) that deer don't like is something I find myself doing more and more out of necessity.  I have been told that hanging deodorant soap from trees and plants may repel the deer. There is also a homemade mix for a repellant spray that contains human urine?! Well, I may get desperate enough, so I'll report more on this later.

After having tried many cheaper ways to discourage them, we decided last year to invest in an electric fence.  I am concerned now about keeping our very young grandchildren away from the fence and, as a result, out of the garden!  However, the fence did work last year, so it is time to put it up again.  I suppose the next step is to inoculate the whole family against lyme disease!  Just how far do we have to go!?  Although the DNR says the deer population has been reduced, I have seen no results of that at our place!  And I am starting to wonder just what needs to be protected with such property damage taking place both at home and on the roads.  My conclusion is that it is NOT the deer, but rather the people, who need the protection.  I am indeed a recovered "Bambi-lover"!