05 Oct Thu 2017
varmints
well folks,
Looks like I've been hit again. At one time, all I had to worry about was: owls, squirrels, deer, foxes, coyotes, groundhogs, neighbors' dogs, hawks, snakes, and cats.
The varmints of late? Poachers. They took my pears last month. This season, I had a bumper crop of Chinese chestnuts. My Dad planted the trees a little over twenty years ago. Even though I don't spray 'em and only fertilize with manure, it seems, I get a good crop [at least] every other year. Got a customer inquiry for some nuts. I'd picked up a couple of pounds the first week of drop. Had held off picking up any, last couple of days; weather's been really nice. Figured on the ground being covered with nuts. Lots of empty pods; but, ground's bare. Not a single nut in sight. Squirrels can account for a fair amount of loss, but not this much.
I'd been holding off on putting in electric fencing around my fruit and nut trees. It seems I've no longer a choice. Now, I just have to figure out how strong a "shock" I want the recipient(s) to receive. One farmer I've talked with, said he'd put in fencing that'll "knock a deer on its ass." And posted, high voltage signs, every 20 feet or so....for legal reasons. Pity the fool who can't read.
Oh well, we'll see what the new year brings....