The Deer are Crazy this Year

[trc65]

I plant lots of trees, and the first rule is to immediately put a ring of fence around them and keep it there until the trunk is large enough that deer don't find it attractive for rubbing. I've learned over the years that every tree and bush needs fencing regardless of how small.

The fence has always been enough, never had a problem, the deer are usually smart enough to stay away from it....until this year.

Was out mulching leaves and found a deer decided to take on the fence around this swamp white oak. Just a couple scratches that are no big deal, but the first time in 15 years one has tangled with the fencing.

 

[DLJeffs]

We see at least one a year carrying around a big wad of crumpled up wire fence. I guess if F&G doesn't dart them and remove the fencing, they carry around until the drop the antlers.

 

[Mike1950]

Same here. Not effective for the moose...

 

[trc65]

Around here, they are used to the heavier woven wire fence from all the pastures, normally won't mess with it.

On the other hand, I had some cheap 2x4 plastic covered fence from a big box store around some young fir a few years ago. Tree was only 3 ft or so, but the deer absolutely mangled one tree and there was a tangled mess of fence next to it. Have woven wire around those trees now and they've not been touched. That one tree is now a bush

Thankfully, nothing bigger than white tail here.

Random question- do moose jump fences?

 

[Mike1950]

Around here, they are used to the heavier woven wire fence from all the pastures, normally won't mess with it.

On the other hand, I had some cheap 2x4 plastic covered fence from a big box store around some young fir a few years ago. Tree was only 3 ft or so, but the deer absolutely mangled one tree and there was a tangled mess of fence next to it. Have woven wire around those trees now and they've not been touched. That one tree is now a bush

Thankfully, nothing bigger than white tail here.

Random question- do moose jump fences?

Moose- i have a 5.5' solid fence. The deer do not jump in because they cannot see landing spot. Now the moose walks right at fence and without missing a step hops over fence with no effort. But the deer i can shoot with my slingshot and probably 50/50 that it will not even look at me. Big Ole moose, marble to butt, ufffffggg and over the fence he went. But not afraid of anything.

 

[Mr. Peet]

The white-tails started munching on shrubs in August this year. 2 full months ahead of normal. I suspect there will be a few more sick hunters this year as compared to the norm, with that hemlock, yew and rhododendron in the system already.

So the real question is, "Will Tim try straightening out the mangled mess".

 

[trc65]

The white-tails started munching on shrubs in August this year. 2 full months ahead of normal. I suspect there will be a few more sick hunters this year as compared to the norm, with that hemlock, yew and rhododendron in the system already.

So the real question is, "Will Tim try straightening out the mangled mess".

Already done. Not a nice circle like it was, but adequate. Also reset the electric fence posts I use to keep the fence in place.

Based on the small amount of damage that was all up high, I think the deer realized it's mistake as soon as it started and the small scrapes were a result of the deer untangling itself.

 

[Mr. Peet]

Already done. Not a nice circle like it was, but adequate. Also reset the electric fence posts I use to keep the fence in place.

Based on the small amount of damage that was all up high, I think the deer realized it's mistake as soon as it started and the small scrapes were a result of the deer untangling itself.

Electric fence post....Re-bar.

 

[Mike1950]

All these modern solutions. For modern problems. Grandparents had no landscaping . Deer ....boom...... dinner

 

[trc65]

All these modern solutions. For modern problems. Grandparents had no landscaping . Deer ....boom...... dinner

That starts here on Friday.....

My grandparents probably saw few deer, and probably never a coyote. As a kid, it was a rare occasion to see a deer, same with coyotes. Every farm field was fenced for cattle to winter graze harvest loss. Any field with slope had grass waterways. Nearly all farms had rough ground that was permanent pasture and it was rare for a farmer not to have a cow calf herd. Quail and pheasant were plentiful and I could go out nearly every Saturday afternoon and come home with a few birds and a rabbit or two.

Now, fences are mostly gone, low percentage of farms have any livestock. It's a rare day that I don't see deer, and I can hear coyotes almost every night if the windows are open. It's been years since I've seen a pheasant, but there are pockets of quail here and there. Rabbit population takes periodic hits, but then again they breed like, well you know, so always some around. A lot of what used to be pasture has been bought up by urban "hunters" who spend small fortunes establishing food plots for deer.

Change is constant.....