When I first started experimenting with these mechanical deer deterrents I used thin pieces of scrap wood for the extension support.

The latest incarnation got a PVC upgrade and I think it's an improvement in regards to longevity for just a small increase in cost.

This latest deer deterrent video was made with a Canon Power Shot SX20.

We had a 22 hour power loss this past week and wouldn't you know it one of those deer made it far enough in to nibble on a sweet potato leaf during what I'm calling the summer power outage of 2011.

Firing a few rounds into a hillside near the suspected entrance point seems to have kept any other midnight snackers out of the garden for now.

One of the main components of my mechanical deer deterrents is a simple golf ball.

You'll need some sort of vise to keep the ball stationary.

I've found that starting a small dry wall screw and then backing it out makes just the right pilot hole for the above eye bolt to easily bite into the golf ball.

The latest tea kettle deer deterrent had to make do with nylon rope instead of metal chain for the stretch that serves as the pendulum.

I'm thinking it works better, and is lighter, which might be easier on the motor and help to increase overall longevity.

This particular type of nylon rope was difficult to tie into a nice looking knot, so I wrapped the ends with electrical tape and then secured the tape with a small section of electric fence wire which seems to work well and look nice as a low budget crimping technique.