Friday, May 13, 2011

Long awaited Deer Management Plan

The Administration promised a "Comprehensive Deer Management Plan" in May.  Its May and we saw the plan.  Its unimpressive, especially when you consider that the only thing unique about it is a few graphs.

Councilman Kraus touched a nerve when he called Stanek on the fact that it seems word for word the same as the "Granville Plan", a small rural community nothing like Solon.  When challenged if comparing their needs to ours is "Apples to Apples", Stanek bristled stating its "Apples to Apples to Apples to Apples".

The plan predictably mentioned everything, but said nothing.  It mentions many non-lethal options, then promptly dismisses them as "ineffective".  They did say they'd "continue to maintain" the Strieter Lites which inexplicably have 500 ft gaps to reduce their effectiveness.

The one item they definitely wanted removed though is the "deer park" idea, it is number "5 Supplemental Feedings" on page 9 of the draft plan. The ODOW would not issue a nuisance permit to allow killing deer to a city who was feeding deer.  This is a deal breaker for the city, they won't do something that will prevent lethal options.

In the lethal department, everything was on the table, Captive Bolt,  Bow Hunting, and Sharpshooting,  A question was raised about lethal options cheaper than Sharpshooting, one would think this would have been done, but Stanek said he'd look into it.

Captive Bolt, or as they refer to it, "Traps and Euthanasia", is among the cruelest methods, despite its nice name. The deer is caught in a trap, struggles to get free and then is shot with a bolt in the head.  The plan mentions that our Animal Warden could do this, he runs a side business in Pepperpike doing it.

Bow Hunting was raised again and it appears the same draft plan was added to the end of this new plan.  Our former police chief and our former deer sharpshooter (White Buffalo) both criticized this option. Russo said it won't be people "running around with bows and arrows", actually crossbows are more deadly.  It was also implied that large areas would be used, but Stanek said that was unnecessary when he discussed this a few months ago.

The implication was that this deadly activity would be on large remote lands.  The last program had nearly 70 kill sites, one may be near you!

The city's target deer population is 206-309, a new all time low that will require killing over 700 deer the first year,

The city mentioned other local communities with deer killing plans including ---


Deer Management Plan 1105a

A copy of the plan is on Solon's web site here.  The meeting video is here, Deer Mgt starts at 28 min in.  The issue is covered  as Deer Management under the Residents tab here.

The Solon Patch, made live comments here, you can follow the SolonPatch here, and published a breaking news story : Deer Plan Provides Lethal Options, But Decision Rests With City Council.


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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Fencing

Height, or width, is probably the most important factor with deer fences, especially if high deer pressure. White-tailed deer can jump almost eight feet high, so effective upright fences against them should be this high. Deer may be able to jump high, but not both high and over a distance. So a fence may not be as high, perhaps six feet, but slanted outward. The deer will try walking under the fence and meet resistance. Such a slanted fence should be at a 45-degree angle, and may consist of fencing with a few strands of additional wire on top for extra height.

A variation can be used to convert a shorter upright fence. Merely add additional height to posts, and string more fencing or additional strands of wire between them. If the fence is about five feet high, you may also add additions to the posts parallel to the ground and on the outside of the fence. Add strands of wire between these to achieve the same effect as a slanted fence.

If you have a standard fence about four or five feet feet high, you can add a similar and additional one about four feet away. While not high, with this width deer usually wont like to try and clear both and perhaps get caught between or on them.

Out of sight, out of mind, applies to deer with solid wooden fences, or ones with overlapping slats they can't see through. Such privacy fences are quite effective, as deer can't tell what is on the other side. Even if they can smell what is on the other side, and it's attractive to them, they can't be sure that danger isn't lurking there as well.

One less expensive variation on the high fence is to use a commercial heavy-weight deer netting if the deer pressure is low to moderate. These products are quite popular for home gardens as they are easier to work with than wire mesh, are less expensive, and blend into the landscape. Another inexpensive solution is stringing single strands of monofilament twine (such as deep sea fishing twine) between posts, about six inches apart. If deer pressure is really low, you might even get by with a single strand about two feet off the ground. Deer bump into this, are surprised at something they didn't or can't see, so may flee.

Keep in mind deer can't see well (poor depth perception), so many advocate hanging streamers on the lower strands or netting so deer can see them and don't just try running through. Some recommend not putting such ribbon streamers on the top as this tells the deer the fence height. Some have even suggested adding streamers on extensions above the fence, to make deer think it is even taller and so even harder to jump. Some advocate using white streamers to mimic the white tail signal that deer use to warn of danger.

There are many variations of electric fences. You may begin with a single strand, about 30 inches off the ground. Some make this more visible to deer by using bright flagging tape, or conductive polytape. This also helps people avoid these fences by mistake. Make this single strand even more effective and attractive to deer by smearing peanut butter on aluminum foil. One taste wont kill deer, but it will surely discourage them from returning. Studies have shown, though, that using odor repellents in combination with an electric wire may be more effective than using the peanut butter bait.

Single strands of electric wire may work if low populations, but if more deer pressure you may need to add multiple strands. You may add these in various configurations as for mesh and strand fences, with the electric wires about a foot apart along the post supports. With any electric fence, use them only if children wont have a chance of getting injured. Some residential areas may even prohibit them, so check local ordinances first.

If you have just an isolated tree or few plants to protect, consider building a cage around them. You may drive stakes into the ground, stretching wire mesh or deer netting between them. Or you can make a portable frame of scrap lumber or PVC pipe, attaching netting to these. If portable, make sure such frames are anchored so deer wont push them over. Make sure such mesh has small openings, or is far enough from the plants, to keep deer from reaching the plants through the mesh.

Wireless Deer Fence®

The Wireless Deer Fence® is a deer repellent system that creates an effective psychological barrier for deer around your yard and garden.

Over 100,000 Wireless Deer Fence® posts have been sold since the year 2000!

The Wireless Deer Fence® is a patented deer repellent method that is guaranteed to provide effective deer control in your yard and garden.

The Wireless Deer Fence® works like a baited electric fence but without the wires.

The individual Wireless Deer Fence® posts are positioned around plants that deer like and on deer paths into your yard or garden. When deer in the area are attracted by a sweet smell to touch a post, the Wireless Deer Fence® delivers a startling but harmless shock which frightens them from the area and trains them to never return.

The Wireless Deer Fence® works on all kinds of deer to eliminate your deer problem without unsightly deer fencing.

Invented by a veterinarian, the Wireless Deer Fence® is safe, effective and humane, and it has four United States Patents!

The Wireless Deer Fence® has been field tested since 1996 and over 100,000 Wireless Deer Fence® posts have been sold since 2000 to all 50 States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Japan and Australia with outstanding results!

The Wireless Deer Fence® has a two year guarantee to control deer to your satisfaction-- in 2008 our return rate was less than 2.5%.

The Wireless Deer Fence® works alone or can be used with other deer deterrent methods such as spray-on deer repellents.

The simple design and the natural green color blend into your landscaping with minimal visual impact. The Wireless Deer Fence® looks good, there are no wires or fences to compromise the beauty of your property.

The Wireless Deer Fence® is a safe, non-toxic, environmentally friendly deer repellent product. It operates silently and efficiently to conserve your property and provide deer damage control for whitetail and other species of deer, without seven-foot fencing or an electric fence.


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Monday, May 9, 2011

Repellents


Deer Off    

















4X MORE POWERFUL Deer Off®
deer repellent is your ultimate
solution against destructive deer.

Prevent damage from destructive deer, rabbits and squirrels with Deer Off®! 
The only deer and animal repellent solution that offers:
  • Dual-action - patented deer repelling power
  • Immediate - instant protection after application
  • Long-lasting - economical formula that repels up to 3 months
  • All natural - safe for use around kids and pets
--Protects two ways -- by odor (from putrescent whole egg solids) 
and, in case Bambi has a stuffy noise, by taste (from capsaicin and garlic). 
OMRI certified organic. Dries clear.





Plantskydd 


Its long-term effectiveness is attributable 
to the tenacity of its 100% natural, vegetable oil binder in sticking 
to plants — even under severe snow/rainfall conditions: up to 
6 months over winter, 3-4 months in summer.

Plantskydd  works by emitting an odor that animals associate with 
predator activity.  Research has proven that odor-based repellents 
(Plantskydd) are more effective than other repellent systems; 
where the animal needs to taste treated plants before being repelled. 
Animals avoid plants before they bite—not after! 


-- Bloodmeal based; longest lasting over winter. Adds trace amounts of nitrogen 
to soil.   (Avoid overspray on white siding or sidewalks and expect a slight 
pink tint on white blooms for a few days.)



I Must Garden 



I Must Garden makes natural, pleasant smelling, 
easy to use repellents that are guaranteed to work.  
At I Must Garden we make the most effective Deer Repellents 
on the market.


--A minty blend of oils that release their potency over time for extended 
protection. Beneficial side effect: helps control insects. 
Lowest cost per ounce!

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Sunday, May 1, 2011

Inhumane Death

The following is undercover footage of the Summit County Metroparks deer slaughter where the park employees are being trained by Solon's former sharpshooter, White Buffalo, President Anthony DeNicola. After shooting the deer, plastic bags were placed over their heads as in Solon.

WARNING This video contains graphic images


This video was shown at a public meeting at the Solon public library in Dec.'04 before the decision makers hired Mr. Denicola. Many city employees and public officials attended and did watch this video and yet they proceeded with their lethal plan.

After viewing SHARK’s video footage, all three vets declared that the deer in question was still alive minutes after being shot while a bag was pulled over her head.


Sandy Baker

Pepper Pike's Mayor Akers brought in Sandy Baker to teach a gardening class.  She is a national expert who discusses ways to have your garden coexist with the deer.  She is not your average 'how to protect your tulips'  expert. She is THE numero uno.




She was invited back by Angelo Pettiti. Eagle Creek Garden Center and Pepper Pike mayor plus a few other mayors paid to bring her back again where she presented at Daisy Hill Nursery and the Orange library to packed rooms. 

The Ohio State Master Gardeners Extension cohosted her at the Seven Hills venue. Master Gardeners consult wirh Her. Everyone loves Sandy. She also does backyard consultations where neighbors are invited.

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