“If you didn’t call ahead, then you are uninvited and I am not answering the door unless you do call.”
Answering the door for strangers, for me, pretty much ended in the 1970s. It was nice to be able to do that - but, like you, you’re simply too exposed (unless a spouse literally has your back covered).
We never have strangers at the front door. They’d have to
climb over the fences or come by boat up the river where they’d be met by the dogs. Anyone coming here stops at the
gated driveway entrance and either calls the house, or turns
around and goes away. From the front gate you can’t see
99% of the property and being at the end of a dead end street,
we don’t see strangers. The dogs are extremely defensive, aggressive enough that trolling fishermen never stop to get
out along the banks.
Then we have the lights, motion cameras, and more. Lots more.