Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Deer

In the past month I've planted over 400 bare root deciduos tree seedlings on two pastures. The other day, while turkey hunting, I observed 8 deer trying to undo my labors (they're probably mad at my sons for relegating their patriarchs to the family freezer).

A local tree farmer told me to rub Irish Spring soap on the seedlings. Any other ideas would be welcome.

I've also heard spreading human hair around will stop them. You might visit your local barber and get the floor sweepings and give it a try. My mom had trouble with deer jumping a 4' fence and eating the garden. She put up little bags of bloodmeal about every 8' along the top of the fence and says it worked. Can't hurt.

Bob

Put a deer stand nearby, works for me I never see a deer from my deer stand

I second Bill's idea.Just act like you might want to kill one and they will start feeding on your tree's at night.

Irish Spring soap works. I use it.
Deer, Rabbits ect won't bother any plant that doesn't smell like food.

Last year I bought some Hybrid AUSTREEs. They are a water loving willow type of tree that grows 6 feet or so in the first year. I'll let you know about the second year. Anyway, they sell (and I've found it again at Gemplers.com) Repellex, which is a latex based repellent that has 30% dried blood. Problem is, it washes off in only a couple of good rainfalls and new growth isn't protected. The stuff is around $114 per gallon, and it dilutes 4-1. Use a garden sprayer to apply. Don't do it on a windy day, this stuff is nasty tasting (handled product, washed hands, still could taste it on my fingers.)

Thanks to all. Yesterday Irish Spring. Today asked barber to put together a bag for me. Kinda squemish about spreading other folks hair. Think I'll use my decoy pickin' up gloves.

Svoberts...I've got about 70 austrees that were planted in the year 2000. Deer come from other states to sample the tasty bark.

The Irish Spring sounds better. Anyone tried it on/around a fish feeder for racoons, etc.?

I just planted 24 fruit trees and created a small 5 foot fence around each one. I don't think anything else would work long term.

400 tree would be a lot to fence in idividually but maybe if they are grouped together you may want to fence them in groups.

Bruce, other than being a deer magnet (next food plot craze?) how do you like your austrees? I planted about 30 at our company cabin for a screen. If I can get them above the browse line, they are doing OK, but between the deer, grasshoppers, and this winter the gophers, I am having a hell of a time getting them to do anything, even with 24-7 water drip on them. My 10 I have next to my house are doing well, but the 10 in my waterway between the ponds are getting seriously eaten down by the deer. Maybe I should put my deerstand close by!

Shawn,

Some of the Austrees are doing quite well. It seems like depending on location planted that some have access to either better soil or more proximity to moist clay underneath. All planted at the same time but range in size from 3 ft to 18 feet after four growing seasons. I will say that they don't die very easily. Even after spending the winter as deer munchies they seem to be hanging in there. I've also been in a significant drought, which certainly doesn't help. I'm really hoping that with a little rain they will take off this year. I was serious about deer liking these things! My whitetails will ignore almost everything else to get a bite of Rocky Mountain Austree.