GardenBanter.co.uk - View Single Post

Emery Davis[_3_] · 23-04-2011, 11:42 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening

On 04/22/2011 03:21 PM, Janet wrote:
In article ,
says...

We have a huge overpopulation of deer right now as the French hunters
seem only interested in boar. We've taken to leaving the dog outside
until quite late in order to see them off during the twilight and early
night as he's a good lad and doesn't wander. (He also quite enjoys it,
not seeming to realize he's too slow and fat to actually catch anything!)

Our last garden was on a major deer path as they moved back and forth
daily between the hill and woodland, and it was a constant battle at
certain times of year, especially when they are rubbing velvet from antler
growth. You may find some of the following useful:

They are very much creatures of habit and will often have a favourite
trail across your land and around the treats you have provided. It's
worth looking for the trail marked in the dew in the very early morning,
so you can try to disrupt their routine or make them so nervous they
hurry through without stopping for a snack. If you can see where they come
in, laying a patch of brash will make it less attractive to them.

Unwashed sweaty T shirts can be hung flapping on a stick, broadcasting
human smell when you're not around as does peeing on the ground and piles
of human hair on ground (from hairdresser) . Painted eyes bobbing on a
balloon, flashing cd's hanging from a branch, scarecrows etc. All these
need either moving around or replacing every week or so to keep up the
scare element.

Thanks Janet, I'm afraid that as I was explaining to Judith its not a
question of path but of being surrounded. At night when I shine a light
into the surrounding forest I see lots of eyes, sometimes in one place,
sometimes another. They really do seem to come in to feed on any young
shoot they find, and every part of the garden has been visited at one
time or another.

-E