Robin,
I feel for you... That's terrible. Deer ate many buds on my newly purchased Lilies and destroyed a new Hosta bed this year. Lilies bloom once a year, so it was very frustrating. Hopefully I will see my Lilies blooming next summer.
The good thing about Clematis - they will grow back in no time. Try to protect your Clemmies next year. Afterall, it is recommended by experts to trim young Clematis plants! Deer just did this for you. Hope they did not damage the roots...

Oh Robin, you poor thing. I'm so sorry.

Robin,

I am very sad for you. I have been having a tough time with rabbits on my hosta this year. I picked up bloodmeal and it seems to be doing the trick at keeping them away. Try sprinkling some around your remaining clematis in a wide perimeter, it is supposed to deter the deer as well. Deer will eat evergreens too if they are hungry enough so don't consider the pine scent too much of a deterrent.

Best of luck,
Tracy

Wow Robin, bad luck. Realize that the plants will come back from the roots though and the plants should just look at it as pruning.

Have you considered trying to fence in the area right around the plants so that the fencing could also serve as a trellis itself?

Blood meal works but needs to be reapplied every time it rains--then again with our summer, it might last all season.

Oh Robin..I'm so sorry hon !!..Hey girl..Email me..I lost your address when my old computer died..and don't have it on my new one..that goes for anyone else that I've missed...Jeanne

Oh my, I am so sorry Robin. I agree with Miguel, I think they will just think they have been pruned and come back next year more beautiful and bushy than ever :-)

Carol

I'm sorry but agree that they will be back better than ever.

I have to deal with the deer too! We have a whole bunch of them here.
They did a number on my roses this year.
I know exactly how it is! Sorry. (Your clems should be fine though!)

I also live in an area with a high population of deer. This year, I had purchased several of those deer deterrent water sprinklers, and I went on to enjoyed a summer virtually free of deer or other creature damage. Only problem was when I (or others) had forgotten they were on and we had gotten blasted with water. I know that others have stated that the deer had gotten use to these sprinklers, I just hope the same does not hold true here!

Terry

Thanks everyone for both your sympathy and encouragement. I went to the deer resistant forum and no one has come up with a viable solution. I am encouraged to hear that most of you feel that they will come back next season. The pruning did not take place at the correct time but I refuse to give up. Have a few ideas up my sleeve. It will be on a trial and error basis. Temporary fencing is now in place.