By Glen Wunderlich
Jimmy is a poor dirt farmer In West Virginia, who has allowed a hunting pal and me to hunt varmints on his expansive farm. Woodchucks, crows, rabbits and deer are all on his hit list. He doesn’t care which hunting season is in or what animal treads on his soil. In fact, he views all wild animals as enemies to his business of growing food. Although I cannot accept Jimmy’s rationale, I’m beginning to understand, after having planted our first vegetable garden in a remote field.
A flat of mixed veggies was purchased several weeks ago – too early to plant outdoors. They were quickly transplanted into containers and were moved outdoors sparingly to get requisite sunshine on a part-time basis and moved indoors on cold nights.
Rainwater is being recycled in elevated garbage cans set under open eave troughs and siphoned into smaller containers and hauled to the remote site.
Since some plants are cold tolerant, we moved them outdoors and erected a small makeshift fence around them. But, when it neared time to transplant the remaining vegetable plants, we looked at fencing options.
I became convinced that a battery-powered electric fence would do the job but the cost of the system seemed prohibitive. It was then that my innate cheapness came out.
Posts that once secured small trees plus long wooden stakes were recycled and driven into the ground. Then, various sections of chicken wire of myriad configurations were attached to circumvent the experimental garden. A few strands of wire about three to four feet above ground with some colorful survey marking tape and the deterrent was complete with a little stinky animal repellent for good measure applied to the fence and marking tape. That ought to do it, we thought.
Nonetheless, peas were the first casualty. Close inspection revealed cleanly sliced pieces of vines – a sure sign of rabbit damage. A trail camera was placed to monitor daytime activity and we shoveled some dirt on a small opening at the bottom of the fencing. The effort failed and the next plants to become rabbit food became the broccoli.
This time we brought in the reinforcements: A coyote and owl decoy were placed as sentries. 
More repellent was applied and more dirt was piled onto the fence bottom.
Not one deer has ventured into the “protected” space, but we’ve seen a large snapping turtle meander through the plants without damaging anything. A raccoon had shown some interest, but I’m assuming it’s waiting for things to mature a bit before going in.
That electric fence seems to make more sense the more the battles are waged. Hey, Jimmy! I feel your pain!
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