The Bambi that became too greedy.

[formercia]

I've been expanding my garden over the last several years and as a result it has come to the attention of the local deer population that tasty treats are to be found there.
Usually it's not a problem as I always plant extra, knowing the local critters have to make a living too. Sometimes it even special, like the time twin fawns came up to my young boy who was sitting at the picnic table to make his acquaintance, while their mother maintained a discreet distance nearby.
There had been one miscreant buck that went a bit too far and began clearing whole swaths of veggies at a time. I had contemplated extreme measures but his greed got the best of him.
A couple of evenings ago, there was a knock at the door. It was the local sheriff letting us know that we might hear a few gunshots, as the errant buck, in his haste to have an early dinner, was struck by a car in front of our house and was too badly injured and had to be put down.
I had mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I felt bad that he had been killed, but on the other, it was a relief to know, that in these difficult times, my family would not suffer a shortage from the garden.

Nature imitates deregulation.

[Vinca]

1. A sad story, but here's my tip about keeping deer out of the garden.

Stinky stuff! Deer hate rotten eggs, so I mix up a couple of eggs, some hot sauce, garlic powder, a little vegetable oil, a drop of dish detergent, maybe a little milk or yogurt, put it in a gallon jug and fill it to the top with water. Let it sit outside for a couple of days until it reeks, then put in a spray bottle. I put it on hostas, daylilies and all my vegetables and the deer will literally walk up to the edge of the garden and turn away. You have to refresh it after it rains. An added bonus is that it seems to repel some destructive insects like flea beetles, squash bugs and others.

[sazemisery]

2. Blood meal works wonders on detering deer

I use blood meal for corn growth because it is nitrogen rich. Deer hate is because they smell the blood (it is actually a byproduct of the slaughter house) and think "Danger". If you don't need nitrogen in the soil just sprinkle some around the perimeter of your garden and it will keep them out.

[sandsavage]

3. This works for us

We have the State Forest on 3 sides of us and our forest on the fourth side. Lived here for 30 years.
Tried just about every thing to keep the deer,rabbits etc. out of the garden. We have a four foot fence around the garden. Useless for deer, raccoon any critter that can jump or climb. For the last 15 years we have tied white plastic bags about 3 foot apart on the fence. The ones you get at the grocery. They are light and and crackle and blow with the slightest breeze. Our scarecrow is decked out in aluminum pie tins. Makes a racket. Punch a hole in the pie tin and thread strings, tie on the scarecrow.

Have not had a critter problem since doing this.Before doing this we would end up with half our garden eaten. Keeps the coyotes out too. Coyotes will eat anything. We are over run with deer. Not afraid of us at all.
Good luck

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

4. Thanks. I'll have to try this.

I don't do a big veggie garden - just a couple of tomato plants in containers on the patio. Last year, every time one got close to being ripe something took a big bite out of it. My neighbors have the same problem. Our property backs up to a marsh, so it could be almost anything. We've had racoons, possums, rats, coyote and one deer in our yards - and we live one block off Main Street