1 October 1999
Mr. Ronald L. Balk
c/o Pest Solutions
1250 Ramona Street, S.E.
Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Dear Mr. Balk:
I am pleased to report that I have completed my revised analysis of the
initial trials of your deer repellant, Scoot Deer. The test
results confirm my initial conclusions -- Scoot Deer will effectively
prevent deer damage.
My study plots were located in an open field about
15 yards from a woodlot that runs along a river bottom. Free
ranging white-tailed deer are plentiful in the area. Prior to
beginning the efficacy trials, on a number of occasions I observed
10-12 deer at a time in the field. I used a number of tempting
baits to test the effectiveness of Scoot Deer, including cracked corn,
whole kernel corn, apples, carrots and white pine seedlings. In
all trials, Scoot Deer effectively prevented consumption of the bait.
Despite the fact that these initial trials were
conducted under less than ideal conditions -- unseasonably wet and
windy weather -- I am confident that Scoot Deer will provide 100 to
near 100% protection for up to 15 days (even following 2-3 days of
steady rain beginning within days of application) and 60-70% protection
for an additional 5 days. Based upon these results and my
experience with deer behavior and deer repellants, I believe that Scoot
Deer will provide 100 to near 100% protection for at least 30 days
under favorable (dry with light winds) weather conditions. I also
believe that under favorable weather conditions, 50% or better
protection could be expected for a period of up to perhaps even 90 days.
Overall, I feel that Scoot Deer meets or exceeds the
commonly held standards for a non-poisonous deer repellant.
If you have any questions concerning these field
trials of Scoot Deer, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely ,
"Signature on file"
Scott R. Winterstein
Associate Professor of Wildlife Biology
at Michigan State University