There is a discussion about that in a thread titled <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/cgi-bin/compact/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=rural&Number=164220&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=>"Electronic Scarecrow"</A>
JD425 lawn tractor; JD4710 CUT; JD JX75 Walk Behind
The only thing we have found somewhat effective is putting up a 4' fence around the garden's perimeter. Still, we've one or two deer jump the fence and we had to go out chasing them away.
I'm in the thread "Electronic Scarecrow" - highly recommended! We have 4' fence also - zilch effect on deer, but good for the smaller critters, which the scarecrow seems to have problems with. www.scatmat.com is the oem site, and I paid full tilt ($79.99) for 2, and although if necessary I'd pay it again (yes, they've been worth that, or more), do the e-bay thing and get one or 50 for $49.99 all day long. One more thing, we have to run several hundred feet of hose to the garden, the hot GA sun will burst it if not watched. I installed a $10 pressure relief valve at the end, hooked up a hose to the outlet and cheat a little water to a few plants. We also turn ours off in the am and on in the pm to save on battery life.
We have a resident deer who so far has stuck with the Swiss chard...OK by us as we got tired of it anyway. I somethimes run him off by chasing him and shooting at him with my air gun. The hysterical laughter from my wife and son while I do this seems to be very effective.
I put a fence around that garden that was pretty cheap and not too visible. Has worked perfectly so far! You can see it in <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/8-163629-GardenJun2202a.jpg>this photo</A> from the thread about my garden.
Well, our realtor had told us that if we want to protect our trees and bushes from deer, all we have to do is pee on them./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif Never tried it.
Mix 1 dozen eggs with 5 gallons water. Mix WELL. Put in a pump sprayer and spray on the plant to be protected.
Deer will avoid the area because of the smell. You will need to reapply after any rain.