What might be judged an `effective passive deterrent in a specific environment based on how predators `normally behave and respond, applied in another with the expectation of similar results, is folly. Predators learn. They will adjust their schedules accordingly and will come to ignore (bypass with caution) `stuff, becoming habituated and, so, indifferent. You can be sure, if easy eats are available, they will learn to arrive at whatever time they assess dinner will be safely served. In the mid `80s, in Columbia, MO. a rash of `burglaries took place in an area where many students attending MU rent. The `break ins took place between 1-4PM. The cops finally tracked down a `gang of raccoons (only two, but the media had some fun) that took advantage of there being few residents at home during those hours (all that cold pizza lying about must have been quite a draw). This past Friday our closest neighbor had all thirteen pullets rubbed out by foxes between 3-3:15PM (the wife had gotten home early and was inside cutting up a watermelon for the chooks and turks). She saw the fox taking off with the last pullet. There were no signs of struggle in the yard and if she hadnt seen the fox it would have been as if the poor pullets had simply vanished into thin air (I finally found seven piles of SLW feathers, arranged in one small area, just yesterday, off back in the woods near the fence line will be searching for the others this afternoon). I also found a den in progress and poured a gallon of old gas down it and jammed the jug down into it (didnt burn it nothing home). This morning I went out patrolling and the container was tipped out and the digging had resumed!
I set two modified snares and rigged a deadfall and am hoping at least one comes back
Coons will hunt during the day and, if foxes can tolerate gasoline fumes (even if filtered out through the rotted root tracks of the dead Hickory the den was located under), at this location, Ill continue to put my money into adequate fencing, lead, and direct current.
Oh, the deer here are so `tame that shooting in their direction with a .22 or .380 in hopes that they will go bounding off into the woods is a waste of ammo (they just stand there and look at you). I use a .177 pellet rifle.
Best of luck no matter how hairy/p***y it gets!
I set two modified snares and rigged a deadfall and am hoping at least one comes back
Coons will hunt during the day and, if foxes can tolerate gasoline fumes (even if filtered out through the rotted root tracks of the dead Hickory the den was located under), at this location, Ill continue to put my money into adequate fencing, lead, and direct current.
Oh, the deer here are so `tame that shooting in their direction with a .22 or .380 in hopes that they will go bounding off into the woods is a waste of ammo (they just stand there and look at you). I use a .177 pellet rifle.
Best of luck no matter how hairy/p***y it gets!
