I covered the plants. Yes, many tomatoes were eaten (good memory!). I was able to pick several when they started to show signs of ripening, or the breaker stage (that I learned here thank you) which then ripened well in the house. My son dropped off a bunch of chicken wire he removed/didn't need that the previous homeowners installed, significantly higher than what I had. That'll be used next year. I still have 2 nice peppers to pick. He also gave me some of that green plastic fencing. Don't know if I'll use that. It seems that could be easily chewed through.
Growing season coming to and end here soon. How much longer do you have in New Mexico?