The plastic covers, pvc or drainage pipe type thing. Those are the only way to go. The rest is a waste of time.

Tieing out a dog will only save them as far as the chain will allow the dog to go unless you go out there and shoot them when you hear the dog barking. It's an easy way to hunt if you can hear the dog bark from in the house, just watch TV in the easy chair until he calls you.

They will definately tear up your trees if you don't do something. They don't start hurting them until about September so you have all summer to get ready.