Caught in the act!!!

[Dave McClung]

Yesterday, Linda asked me to look at the tracks in her garden to see if I could determine what has been eating her plants. My first answer was Stellar's Jays. They really like the strawberries. But, when I looked at the tracks, there was no question -- a deer had been in her garden.

We both wondered how a deer could have been here without our having seen it. We concluded that it must have come up from the beach.

Well, today, our suspicions were confirmed. We caught her in the act!! Now, the question is "What do we do about it?"

[Terri Knoll]

yum yum!

love the pics!

[Dave McClung]

I believe this is a Columbian Black Tailed Deer. From what I read, there are two different kinds of Black Tailed Deer in the Pacific Northwest -- Columbian and Sitka. Perhaps some of you who are hunters can tell the difference.

From what I have read, the Columbian Black Tailed Deer is a smaller version of the Mule Deer.

[Christine Josephson]

Great Pictures.
Netting over the strawberries???
Deer eat apple trees around here in Montana.

[Barb Bouldrey]

I imagine that your skunk trap will not work on this deer.

LOL

Call your garden supply store and ask them.

Barb

[Marg Webb]

Try dried blood, Cat's hate it also Deer.
One place we lived the Deer stood on our Patio and looked in the door. They never bothered the garden which was a very large area. Chicken wire or dried blood would be the suggestion from this house. Wire over the vegetables.
We grew more cabbage than we could use and gave it to the Deer in the winter.
Those are such beautiful pictures Dave. !!

[Jill Mickelson]

Dave....we use an organic spray....I believe it's called "Invisible Fence". I used it last year in the garden...doesn't take much....and we had NO deer or wildlife visiting our garden! I also have a easy-to-make recipe for something similar and my friend says it is the BEST!

[Linda McClung]

Jill, I would love to have that recipe.

[Jill Mickelson]

Hi Linda! Here it is....by the way: beautiful pictures of your Deer!

DEER AND RABBIT REPELLENT
1 Cup Milk
1 Egg
2 TBSP Liquid Dish Soap
2 TBSP Cooking Oil
Mix up and add to 1 gallon of water. Spray on plants and all around them.
The oil keeps the repellent on the leaves....however, you do have to repeat the spraying process every once in a while...especially after a rain. Also, you must rinse the sprayer out with clear water because the egg and milk clog it up if you let it sit in there.

[Carsten Schermuly]

Ask your guests for an entry fee to see your new Zoo?

What a nice, grazile and elegant formed animal, thank you for the photos!

[Paul Whitaker]

We had deer in our backyard in Ohio. I bought a salt block for the deer to use if they needed such.

On one occasion we had 17 deer walk through our back yard. Very pretty.

However, the deer population in Ohio is getting out of hand - sorta like the Canadian Geese.

[Linda McClung]

Thanks, Jill! I'll use this!

[Belinda Y. Edwards]

Interesting recipe, Jill...i will be using it, too. We have many critters who enjoy Garry's garden.

We use a similar recipe for mosquitos - dish detergent, ivory soap, diluted in water. i have see this kill wasps, honey bees, moths and mosquitos.

[Carsten Schermuly]

Nearby the same reciepe I use for cleaning vehicles and other things under influence of weather. It needs just small phantasy to use it for other purposes - to make life easier (for what to buy sprays? create your own - it is cheaper and meets the needings, no matter what I look for).

One big spoon of washing powder, stirred in a half glass of water
and
one big spoon light floating silicone oil

it is a perfect cleaner and weather protection, e. g. for lawn mover - also from underside - the lawn mover is in future much easier to clean because silicone does not hold dirt. In case, only water (and maybe soap) were used, later new dirt will be hold on surfaces and metal will rust. Oil is good against rust. Cleaning very easy bycicles, cars etc. Logo - the mix must be mixed in the right order - first water solutions (soap), then are added oils. Soap powder and oil - and then water would not make sense - right?

[Carol Kane]

Dave

I just read this post and wanted to share that we have deer b ut they stay away from around the garden because we have placed hair clippings around the parameter of it. Awww, gotta love the human scent that only deer can smell.

[Beth Larpenter-Shurbutt]

I saw on "Carol's Garden" (HGTV Program) this morning that cocoa bean hulls spread around your plants as mulch will keep the keep the deer away. It might be worth the try.

Beth

[Linda McClung]

Actually, we have had no other problems with the deer. I think we scared it to death! HOpe so!