[dayman]

I mostly rely on my location (the middle of nowhere) and the dogs as deterrents. Good exterior lights and a peephole usually let me identify what the dogs are after.
Beyond that, I keep a 30-30 in the closet by the door, and a handgun/flashlight/phone locked in my bedroom.

Incidentally - if anyone didn't know - you can use a deactivated cell to call 911, so if it's inconvenient to keep your actual phone in your "safe area", you can always just keep an old phone there instead.