Dealing with Deer, Elk, and Cattle: The “Ghost” Wildlife Guide

Dealing Deer and Elk eating Your Cannabis Plants

Jerry here. Most growers live in fear of animals eating their guerrilla grow. In my fifty years of growing in the wild, I’ve had my share of run-ins with the deer, elk, and cattle. The truth about wildlife isn’t always what you read in the magazines.

Animals aren’t looking for a “buzz”—they’re looking for moisture or easy calories. If you understand their habits, you can stop fighting them and start outsmarting them.

The Elk Pruning Service and the Cattle Trample…The Ghost

I’ve only had deer and elk eat my plants a handful of times, and it usually happens for a specific reason. Cattle create a different problem. Here is what I’ve learned from the “Ghost” perspective.

The Ghost’s Wildlife Observations:

• The Thirsty Deer: In very arid, dry grows during late summer, there isn’t much green left in the woods. That’s when deer get desperate. They aren’t after the THC; they’re after the water held in those succulent leaves, and whatever nutrition they can derive for your plants. One quick and stealthy way to deter deer is to use some 30 lb test monofilament fishing line. Use it to build a fence around your grow. Most deer will not try to push through it. And it is hard for humans to see.
• The “Elk Trim”: Elk will eat just about anything if they’re in the mood, but they have a refined palate. Interestingly, they don’t seem to like the trichomes or the sticky buds. I once had a spot where the elk literally “fan-trimmed” the whole grow for me. They ate the leaves and left the colas standing! I hardly had to do any trimming at harvest time. The fishing line trick that works for deer…does not work that well for elk. If an elk wants to go somewhere they can and will go there.
• The Cattle Crisis: If you’re growing near open range, cattle are your biggest nightmare. They might take a bite just because they’re curious, but the real danger is their weight. A 1,200-pound cow doesn’t care about your “Ghost” spot—they’ll trample your plants into the mud without even noticing. I have had whole spots completely destroyed. Cattle, like elk may not respect the fishing line tactic.
• The Scent Barrier: I don’t use chemicals. I use “human” scent. A few bars of highly scented soap (irish spring seems to work well) left around (hidden form view) or even just leaving a well-worn (and unwashed) t-shirt nearby can be enough to tell a deer that a “predator” is in the area. You can also urinate around your grow which works well till the next rain.

Op-Sec Tip: If you see elk or deer tracks, don’t build some kind of wire fence (I have seen this many times). That’s a “Look at me!” sign for hikers and drones. Use downed limbs and thorny brush to create a “natural” barrier that makes it slightly annoying for animals to walk through. Be a good steward of the land—don’t trap the animals, just ‘persuade’ them to look elsewhere.

Nature is your partner, not your enemy. Sometimes she even helps you with the trimming!