Culling the herd

The Deer Herd

Before my hosta addiction started, we lived in a house with a shared driveway, sidewalks everywhere and occasionally the city bus was even diverted to our street. The wildlife was limited to squirrels and a few rabbits.

In 1996 we moved to a neighborhood that was only 4 miles away but oh so different.  The houses are on big lots, the streets have no sidewalks and nothing shared except lots of space. The wildlife here is varied: squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits. skunks, opossums, raccoons, voles, woodchucks and, of course, the deer.

We love it here.  For 24 years we have shared the space in harmony with all --except for the deer, of course. All of the animals mentioned are pests in my yard.  Every season, I tolerate the ravaging of a plant or two. It's annoying and even frustrating waking up to leaves chewed and buds eaten.  They usually kind enough to leave something for me to enjoy.  The deer have occasionally found the backyard - a source of deep sadness- requiring me to apply yet another air full of Liquid Fence. 

And so the battle goes. Some battles are more easily fought than others.

Two years ago, the neighbor across the street said enough was enough- given the fact that THEIR yard had the buffet of choice. They erected a 6 foot (maybe it's 8 ft) fence around all the flowerbeds and the vegetable garden in their yard.  While not the most beautiful fence, it has been very effective.  Their hostas have never looked so good!  

The deer needed to find a new restaurant. Our yard was so accessible.  I had been upset more than once last summer so I doubled up my efforts with Milorganite and Liquid Fence.  Last year I lost two super huge hostas and have had to rescue the leftover parts.  I am not sure if they will ever be the same.  Despite my valiant efforts this year has been horrible. I am ready to put up the fence!

They have mostly passed us by - liquid fence is not pleasant - but circumstances change.  It's been extremely dry and they want food so much so that they are willing to put up with uncomfortable odors and tastes etc in order to dine in my yard.  

Last night at 3:20 AM I scared ONE deer that was enjoying the fruits of my labor!  One deer! I discovered this morning that that one deer was hungry!! Three hostas eaten to the point of ugliness and one to the point of no return. So depressing!! 

I am not sure there will be anything left by the time we get back from visiting the girls!

Fences of all sorts are going up in our neighborhood.  Everyone is fed up and the city will NOT cull the herd!

It needs to happen! Son A would love to help lol!!It's the only thing that will help.  I have live-trapped raccoons, skunks and woodchucks; I have even killed a few chipmunks, rabbits, woodchucks, squirrels, voles and  It's time to kill the deer! 

Does anyone know of a live-trap for deer??

I guess it's going to be the fence!!