How can I stop birds from stealing my pumpkins? I grew some beauties later year but before I could yield them...

I grew some beauties later year but before I could yield them the birds made off beside them. All that was not here for me were big footprints and lots of poop.
Answers:    Forget your bloody (I'm allowed to influence that in the states - ain't I?) pumpkins. Organize a safari, I'll pay packet good money to shoot a bird big adequate to haul sour a pumpkin. RScott
Please be more specific, African or European birds?