While the cougars keep our deer population in check there are a couple of very smart does that use us to deter the cougars. They know the dogs can not get them through the yard fence so they curl up and nap outside fence, using the barking dogs to keep trouble away. I do not begrudge the does from a safe place to sleep BUT munching young fruit trees to bare stumps and jumping the garden fence is where I draw the line. The local wild life park offers free zoo pooh, I have heard this works great keeping the deer away but can also freak out one's own cats and dogs. I have used cheap overly scented bar soap hung in nylon stockings, it helps. Hot pepper flakes soaked in veggie oil then poured around plants or on cloth tied to the tree fences ups the ante, (just do not get it on bare skin). This is really gross, but the 2 things that save our fruit trees are scoops of dog poop and the stuffing out of the used vacuum cleaner bags. With 3 Labradors there is no lack of fur or poop. This combination needs 'refreshing' every month or so but it seems to gross the deer out enough the apple and pear trees have had a chance to grow out of reach of the deer.
Thinking Cajun venison.
