In a message dated 9/4/04 5:52:37 AM Pacific Daylight Time, jglatt@ptd.net writes: > . . . hurling rocks and imprecations at the deer. > Judy ~ You need to get to know Frans Officer and a long time resident of a southern suburb of Minneapolis noted for its large numbers of deer. He keeps a large can of marbles and a slingshot at several locations around the house and property. He maintains that (as one's accuracy improves!!) this has been a fairly good deer deterrent (he has notable collections of L. Martagon hybrids and species along with hosta and other shade-loving plants under the oak trees that cover the property ). He had said that, now, he has to be surreptitious about opening doors or windows to get a shot at a deer since they are all pretty much wise to the "slingshot effect." Actually, the only permanent deterrent is a double line of fencing about four to five feet apart since they will not jump the inner one when they determine they don't have the space to do so. And there are other methods, as well, including "effective control agents" like cougar and wolves. Best, Dave Karnstedt (a former resident of rural Minnesota where the deer are thicker than voles!!) Silverton, Oregon, USA email: davekarn@AOL.com