I live in the Ozarks surrounded by deer. There is no way they can be kept at bay with sprays and what have you in that vein. They adapt to everything. Only thing I have had that will stop them on a individual basis is a 410ga shotgun. Used on there rump with a target load it will not penatrate or otherwise damage the deer. The sting however make a life long lasting impression that in some way is communcated to the herd by the target deer. I had held the locale herd in fear of entering my area for 2 yrs, But have had to teach a couple bucks that I think wondered in from another area. I have heard they have a strong dislike for paint ball guns as well. Since I am shooting through light brush a lot of the time a paint ball gun will not work.

Thanks fishgardener the only evidence I can give you is my rasberry plants...the don't near them...Don't get me wrong. I would love to see NJ open up hunting or loosen the gun laws.... I am from Texas and there are no deer in the town where I am from because it would end up as someones dinner.

How much creedance do you put into "communicating to the herd". I need to do more research, but I do know that deer remember loacations where they are hunted

I put a lot of creedance in it. They do make small sounds and to be truthful with you I would not be surprised if there or other things that man has not discovered yet.

I'm almost afraid to say this because I don't want to jinx myself. I, too, live in central N.J. where deer are a HUGE problem. After 20 years I think I have found a combination of things that are working. Although it is relatively expensive, Liquid Fence combined with 2 Bird-X units and I have not had one deer (that I've seen) in about 6 weeks. I think the true test is that when Home Depot had a sale on hosta, I bought about 60 of them and not one has been touched. Since I started using these 2 methods at the same time I can't say if one is more effective than the other and I am spraying once a week even tho the LF directions state that it is unnecessary after the first 2 weekly sprayings. It only takes me about 30 minutes and is well worth my time and $$ to be deer free. I've seen herds of them right next door too. Keeping my fingers crossed.