The next training will be on January 31 at the new Prairies Edge Nature Center south of Cresco. The final training will be on March 29 at the Mint in Protivin. No pre-registration is required. The heavy snow cover this year has increased deer browse and damage to ornamentals and trees. Deer browse on woody plants if there is little other vegetation.
Deer have a preference for certain shrubs.
They certainly have shown a preference for Arborvitae in Howard county. Other preferences include Fir, White Cedar, Dogwood, Euonymous, roses, Mountain Ash, Yews and of course fruit trees. The best way to control browsing deer is by exclusion. This is not easy, but a snow fence either wooden or the new polytape or polywire work very well. There are some repellents on the market, but often they do not protect for very long.