TThile experimental results thus indicate that the oiectric fence 

 is a successful deer repellent, certain dangers are not yet entirely 

 overcome. Home-made devices, which are not always properly const racted, • 

 are to "be avoided, for they may take a toll of life, both human and 

 animal. Even approved uni ts are not yet "fool-proof." 



At least until more detailed information is available, and until 

 the electric-fencing principle is developed so that few of the present 

 dangers remain, and its effectiveness is greater than that of safer re- 

 pellents, the Biological Survey recommends its use as a deer control 

 agency only in further experimental work under the direct control of com- 

 petent persons. 



CONCLUSION 



Experiments have not "boon conducted long enough to determine the 

 most effective method of protecting orchards from damage "by deer. Tar- 

 paper cones and asafetida seem to he the most successful repellents, and 

 in a number of orchards naphthalene flakes and the automatic flash gun 

 have been effective. Deer trapping, when legal, gives good results but 

 is laborious and expensive. TTith the exception of the trapping and fenc- 

 ing methods, the successful techniques discussed in this paper are inex- 

 pensive, averaging each season about 4 cents a tree. Asafetida is most 

 convenient to the orchard! st because it must be renewed but once or twice 

 a season. Tar-paper cones and naphthalene flakes need rttention about 

 four times a year. The automatic gun is less convjnient because it re- 

 quires daily attention. 



Further experimentation is necessary to determine the deer-repel- 

 ling method that will be least expensive, require a minimum of attention, 

 and prove most effective. To this extent the Bureau, is continuing deer- 

 control investigations along these lines. 



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