The only thing I have found effective to keep the coons out of the sweet corn patch is an electric fence. A low powered solar one will suffice. One strand about a foot off the ground for the coons and one about 3' high for the deer. Sometimes the squirrels will get past it and the blackbirds may get into a few shucks but generally the two wires will take care of the majority of corn thieving varmints.
Best to put it up early as if you wait till you already have a problem they are a little more persistent. But if you install it after the coons have already been into it, then hear a gawdawful scream in the middle of the night, just smile and roll over going back to sleep knowing it is working.
