We used to spend winters in Az. Cave Creek is a beautiful place. Do the mule deer eat any of your plants?
Yesterday we had 2 deer in our yard. Hope they didn't munch the perennials that were coming up. We live on the edge of the woods so we do get some wildlife........beautiful eagles too.
There is a garden social group here. Not much action at the moment.
Do the coyotes bother the chickens? You probably have them fenced ??