Garden Life, Deer, Whistle Pigs, and Hunting

Garden Life – Backstory

In week two of Garden Life 2023, I mentioned (on facebook) that the local whistle pigs that live under my neighbor’s shed upturned several of my tender little vegetable plants, including a Big Chili Pepper plant. This behavior led me to begin researching how to clean and skin a ground hog (whistle pig; woodchuck). Despite being upturned, the plants recovered quickly after I replanted them. Moreover, I found a good deterent: cayenne pepper.

Side note: I can now attest that the nickname for the Princeton WhistlePigs, a summer collegiate baseball team based in West Virginia and a member of the Appalachian League, is appropriate.

Anyway, the following week, as I wrote again on FB, one or more deer ate the tops of most of my pepper plants, with the sole exception of a Big Chili Pepper plant.

Deer track:

A de-flowered begonia:

Just one of the damaged pepper plants:

Garden Update (week 5-6)

Given the unrelenting onslaunt from these wild beasts, I consulted with a wise man of the Amish ways regarding deterrents and possible future hunting.

He provided said counsel:

• Peaceful deterrent: Prepare some wet rags and then rub Irish Spring soap liberally into them. Then, hang these rags on sticks staked next to the plants that are attracting the deer.
• On “hunting” on one’s property: He said it is permitted, but believes one needs a minimum of five (5) acres and proper documentation for the processors (if one doesn’t “DIY”).¹I’ll need to look-up the details; if/when I do, then I’ll update this note with a link.

I made a mental note to ultimately move to a homestead with ample acreage that’s relatively remote.

But, don’t get me wrong, I love having neighbors (the more, the merrier!) – provided they live at least a mile down a bumpy curved gravel road, obscured by dense forest/brush and hills, and perhaps beyond a moat-like creek/river that needs to be crossed.²I experienced Big City life long enough to independently come to a similar conclusion, I’m told, as that of Henry David Thoreau. So, I have no real need to read his book, “Walden.” Preaching to the choir, brother. I get it.

Closing Words

Now you.

Do you have any tips and tricks to help deter animals from damaging or eating your garden plants, vegetables, and flowers? What about hunting on one’s own property? Can you provide any sources regarding the “five (5) acres” restriction?

Let me and the tens of readers know your thoughts, anecdotal stories, and opinions in the comments.

Footnotes

• 1
  I’ll need to look-up the details; if/when I do, then I’ll update this note with a link.
• 2
  I experienced Big City life long enough to independently come to a similar conclusion, I’m told, as that of Henry David Thoreau. So, I have no real need to read his book, “Walden.” Preaching to the choir, brother. I get it.