Could YOU Keep A Straight Face? Coyote Pee Interview

October 9th, 2009 in blogs

Billy Goodnick, contributor

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Video Length: 2:00
Produced by: Kate Geruntho Frank and Billy Goodnick

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Amber or Pilsner?

I stifled a giggle as I approached Ronald Boyce, an actual scientist who works for Shake-Away Animal Repellant, developed as the humane and environmentally safe way to repel deer, woodchucks, armadillos, skunks and other unwanted garden visitors.

"If you’re really a scientist, how come you’re not wearing a lab coat?" I asked, not wanting to be taken in by a potentially slick snake-oil salesman. He didn’t have his diploma with him, but I decided to take him at face value.

"Shake-Away," Ron showed me, via a coolio microscopy photo, how his product "uses a sponge-like pellet that absorbs predator urine. Deer have a natural fear of coyotes." The same can’t be said for cartoon roadrunners.

I learned, to my surprise, that coyotes are found in all of the lower-48 states. The smell of their urine is said to be enough to make any deer not suffering from ragweed allergies skedaddle over to your neighbor’s pea patch.

I couldn’t contain myself. Tapping into my hard-hitting Kathy Lee Crosby journalistic instincts, I peppered him with probing questions. "How do you get them to pee on demand? Do they prefer Miller Lite or Stella Artois? Who follows them around with the specimen cup? Would Shake-Away prevent zombies invasions?"

Inquiring minds want to know.

Road Kill Canapes

As it turns out, it’s a little simpler than I thought. Ron explained the humane conditions that captive-bred coyotes and wolves live in, their diet (road kill and other forms of red meat--really!), and the "collection pans" that are the floor of their kennels.

In theory, it sounds plausible, but having not actually tested the stuff out, I can’t personally vouch for the product. As they say in Milwaukee, caveat emptor. But you can read more about Shake-Away at their website and make up your mind for yourself.

Mr. Science Guy offered me a sample to take back to Santa Barbara, but I’m a city slicker living right in the middle of town--no deer problems for me. And besides, the last thing I need is to have the label fall off and find I’ve mistaken Shake-Away for my non-dairy creamer.

For more info on Shake-Away, click through

Next up -- Worms! Ooey gooey worms

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Comments (6)

agardener writes: Shake Away did not have results for me in southwest UT. Instead, I redeposit my native fox's scat into newly dug gopher tunnels. Results are fewer new tunnels. Posted: 7:20 pm on November 2nd

LVNMPermie writes: It's not just good for deer -

Coyote urine repels gophers, too.

Posted: 2:46 pm on October 22nd

Indygardener writes: Billy, that was some excellent reporting. I hope to try some of their product this spring as I am perennially battling the rabbits for first taste of the lettuce. Posted: 8:37 pm on October 15th

bluerose0907 writes: As always laugh out loud funny and a smart interview. I wonder if it works.~~Dee Posted: 12:50 pm on October 11th

ShirleyBovshow writes: Billy,
I enjoyed watching your" Kathy Lee journalistic instincts" at work though I think you may be a little more savvy than she is!

You are my boy! Go get 'em Billy!
Shirley Bovshow Posted: 11:52 am on October 10th

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