Taste repellents, which are more likely to be readily available, repel the animal after it has tasted the plant material. Both types of repellent must be reapplied about every two weeks. Live trapping is sometimes effective, but creates the problem of properly removing and releasing the live animal in another area. As to poisoning, this should be done only as a last option, where absolutely necessary. Using poison can endanger pets and children, and disposing of the poisoned animal can also be a problem.
Winter is a far from finished assaulting our landscape plants.
It's probably too late to do anything now to protect plants from the wind, heavy snow and freezing rains that are typical of the remaining months of winter. Remedial pruning and plant replacement may be a necessity this spring.