I tried to grow my melons and winter squash outside of my fenced garden this year, since they take up so much space- but as of this morning, every single one of my melons/squash has big bites out it from some creature who mistaked it for a buffet.

I think it's a groundhog. Is there any way to protect the fruit? After noticing 2 had been nibbled, I put hosiery socks on my little cantaloupes (!) and this morning I came out to find the hose neatly removed and big chunks out of my nearly ripe cantaloupe!!

Can melons & winter squash that have had the rind munched continue on to ripen if the damage to the fruit did not completely penetrate the rind? I've left my fruit on the vine, but need to know if cutting it off now would help the plants set more fruit.