I need protection from the wildlife

When the first Europeans came to North America they were astounded at the magnificent forests and the abundant wildlife.

Then, they began to clear the forest and kill the wildlife.  By the beginning of the 20th Century a good portion of the forest had been cleared for farms, homes and cities.   And, a good portion of the wildlife had been killed, or forced to move to what forest was left.

But, Mother Nature is a funny beast.  She always has the last word.   As we built our homes and cities, we also planted new trees and flowers and shrubs and gardens.

And, those trees and flowers and shrubs and gardens began attracting – – wildlife.

All across this country deer, of all types and sizes have moved into the suburbs and made themselves at home.  By some estimates there are more deer in North America now,  than were here when the first Europeans touched land.

Northwesterners learn quickly that deer are attracted to particular plants and flowers and have learned what to plant and what to fence.   Deer don’t like daffodils and those yellow flowered plants predominate in our urban forests.

We build deer fences, but the deer have adapted and learn to get over, around and through those fences – – or have moved to areas where plants are easier to reach.

But, it’s not just deer.   Here in Thurston County racoons are a constant presence.  They live in our backyards, they eat plants and garbage – – and like the deer, leave their feces all around the yard.

I have a family of racoons living in my back yard.  Their piles of waste are all over the ground and I’ve seen them in the early mornings trying to drink out of my bird bath.

I also have a possum that lives somewhere close.  I see this ugly look creature in my yard more often than I want.

But, last week, a herd of deer found their way into my back yard.   I live right off College in the middle of Lacey.   I have a five foot fence around most of my yard.   But, they made their way into it somehow.   By the time I saw them they had eaten my tomato plants and made a meal out of every apple they could reach on my apple trees.   They even devastated my raspberries.

I don’t live in the country.  I don’t live in some secluded sub-division.    And yet, the deer, the raccoon and the possum seem my find my yard a good place to live and my garden a good place to dine.

They are no longer cute.  They’re a menace.

I’m going to get my gun.   When can I shoot them?