I always build a "Natural" barrier around my grow area.. I'll cut down briars and use dead limbs to make a fence around it to where the animals can't get through. I believe in redundancy so I'll also make cages for my plants out of chicken wire or rabbit fencing. Once my plants get a few feet tall and the animals have plenty of food to eat.. usually around the middle of June, I won't have any problems with animals tearing up my plants. The bugs are a different story though. Good luck!