Agree with Paul's commets. I have apx. 200 vines and net all of them. A year
ago, I was late getting the netting out on the Syrah - and lost them all to
the birds! So now I get the nets out right as veraison sets in, white grape
varieties at the same time, and net em all. So far, nary a single bird hurt.
As Paul said, if you don;t tack the nets down, or close the ends off, some
birds will get in and get all frantic if you scare them up while they're in
there - but they always get back out. Better to clos eit all up and prevent
them getting in.

Alternatively, you can "shoot and release". Somehow though, starlings don;t
fly real well after a butt full of #8 shot!


>I have been making wine for about 3+ years now, by using purchased grape
>juice or wild berries. I just finished bottling blackberry wine, with
>berries picked by my "dear old momma" (key Italian music in background). I
>am in Wisconsin, but I decided to plant 6 vines in the backyard. They have
>been in for about 3 years and I get plenty of grapes, but they never ripen
>due to the fact they get overwhelmed by birds (I literally got one
>...1!!!.... ripe grape this year).
> I want to put netting over the vines but my wife is afraid that the birds
> will get caught in it. Anyone have any experience in vines and protecting
> them? (And yes, I know the futility of trying to grow grapes in
> Wisconsin. But I am stubborn that way.)
>
>