[Sca-cooks] RE: Cervidae

[Weems, Lora]

Deer will stay away from things that smell or taste bad. Blood, really
heavily scented bar soaps, or human hair. Or you can put pepper spray on
the plants you want to keep. Do a google search on the keywords "blood
deer repellent" and you'll get a host of useful links.

Margaret, who has problem rabbits rather than deer

***Deer also will avoid human urine.  But, don't let the menfolk
in your house know, or they will use this as an excuse to "mark
their territory".  Also, not good (disease issues) if you are
raising a food crop.

Alternatively,  you can landscape with 'deer-proof' plants -
most catalogues will indicate if a given plant is liked by
deer.  Otherwise, a high fence may help.

Leofwynn.  See comments following...

At least you can sometimes salvage whatever parts of the deer didn't hit the
car.
(A bunch of Standing Stones (my shire) people were coming back from an event
in a 3-car caravan. Front car hit deer. Deer now road kill. SCA guy pulls
out
Swiss Army knife, field dresses dead deer by headlights. They duct-tape deer
to roof of car (that being the only place with enough room), and drive home.
Deer provided quite a few meals. Try _that_ with a dead turkey!)

*** PLEASE follow the 11th Commandment (don't get caught) if you happen to
hit
a deer, elk, moose, you name it. (or if you pick up road kill).In most
western
States, THOSE ANIMALS BELONG TO THE STATE.  In Texas, if you hit a
deer, you canNOT take the deer home, you are required by law to notify the
Tx Parks and Wildlife, then they will make disposition. Otherwise, you are
technically poaching, and are going to be fined for replacement value, plus
anything else they can tack on.(The replacement value of the deer can run
anywhere from $500 for a doe up to multiple thousands for a trophy buck).

Even if you hit the deer during season, and you have a valid hunting
license,
you can't tag it.

If you get caught, you will be subject to fines, penalties, etc, up to and
including jail time, (PLUS the replacement value).

Leofwynn, who's husband is a hunter-safety instructor(and has seen this
happen to a friend, to the tune of $1700.)