bryan, that is a great idea, I will probably use it if the post driver fails me.

Thanks Todd, that really helps.

Stickem, have you looked at the various predator guards? Options that I found are the galvanized sheet metal cone (conical baffle), steel sheet sandwich, and the plastic pipe guard. Here is a link to all kinds Various.

From what I have read the metal cone/conical baffle is the best to use but maybe someone that has experience with the different guards will chime in on what has worked for them.