Ideas for deer fence

unregistered168043 · #1 04/15/13, 07:47 AM

I am thinking of doing a 4 strand electric fence with 3 strands from bottom to top, 6 foot. Then the fourth strand about 2.5 feet in front and 2 feet high. This way they cannot step over the first wire without going into the others, also much farther to jump over.

Any suggestions? Have any of you tried this configuration? How did it work? What would you do differently?

haypoint · #2 04/15/13, 08:04 AM

8 feet tall fences generally stop deer. In areas where it is important that they don't jump the fence, 10 feet is now the standard.

Deer often "blow through" an electric fence. I think they don't see it and hit it at speed and then squeeze through.

gwithrow · #3 04/15/13, 08:14 AM

I think the double fencing will work, but I would also mark the fences...some kind of flags...white is good, as it can be seen better at night...we have had good luck with this method....we also use the blinking nite guard units...one for each direction....

7thswan · #4 04/15/13, 08:28 AM

I just recently watched a hunting program, can't remember which one-but they put one elec. fence about 3 ft tall ,then out from that about 3 feet a 18" high strand. You don't need a high fence, you need a wide area arround the permiter that they can't jump the legenth their body goes to get in.

MelonBar · #5 04/15/13, 08:32 AM

Saw this online. http://www.invisible-deer-fence.com/...or-motives.htm

Usingmyrights · #6 04/15/13, 10:18 AM

I've heard that you can just set some post and use a high rated monofiliment. That sense the deer cant easily see it, that they won't jump it.

rambler · #7 04/15/13, 10:27 AM

If the deer are randomly wandering about, that will dissuade them mostly. Somewhat.

If you are trying to fence them out of a lush garden when the world around you is barren and bleak, you will need much taller and far better fence to keep them out of paradise...

Paul

Hoopjohn · #8 04/15/13, 11:05 AM

They just planted 40,000 strawberries plants 1/2 mile from me. Its supposed to be the start of a "pick your own" operation.

They enclosed it with a 6' high fence, not barbed wire, but the "square" type of fence.

I never knew deer liked strawberry plants all that much, but I've seen them dining on the plants repeatedly...and on a few occasions, saw the deer jump the fence with ease & grace. I would imagine that significant damage to the plants took place.

I'm not sure a 8' high fence is adequate in keeping out hungry deer. It is, the minimum heighth I would consider.

Ozarks Tom · #9 04/15/13, 04:58 PM

If you're using electric, wipe the wires with a rag soaked in corn oil. It'll draw their noses and tongues, giving them a memory they won't forget. Might have to do it a few times, especially after a rain, but it works.

**highlands** · #10 04/15/13, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darntootin

IAny suggestions?

Dogs. I taught our livestock guarding herding dogs which animals are okay (moose) and which to keep out (ravens, hawks, crows, deer, bear, cougar, coyote, etc). A perimeter fence with dogs keeps the deer out of our gardens. I see them and their tracks in the woods and on our logging roads but they stay out of out of our close areas, the 70 acres or so we farm in.

PurpleToad · #11 04/15/13, 07:16 PM

I've read in many places that a strand of electric fence that has strips of tinfoil baited with peanut butter works amazing well. I will be trying this method this year. I am also planning on putting this on a timer since I am protecting a garden near my house. During the daytime we don't see the deer due to dogs, but last summer at night they where a regular visitor.

Micheal · #12 04/16/13, 06:38 AM

Bout the only fence I've found to keep deer away from anything was an electric one that I moved every 3-4 days. It consisted of 2 stands bout 15" and 30" off the ground.
I'd sometimes move every other pole; other days I'd move 2 out of every 3 or just 1 out of every 3. I'm only talking about moving the pole(s) maybe 1 or 2 feet (back and forth) nothing really major. But by moving it just that little they sorta knew it was there - somewhere.
As to "permanent" type fences, to me, they are a waste of money because the deer will find a way under,over, or through it....... either that or the fence is 15 feet high, sloped outward, and buried 2 feet into the ground.

fordy · #13 04/16/13, 08:57 AM

...............What about da wabbits ? , fordy

PlowGirl · #14 04/17/13, 03:37 PM

Premier fencing site/catalog has a great article about constructing an effective deer fence.

Marcia in MT · #15 04/17/13, 04:06 PM

If you use an electric fence baited with corn oil or peanut butter: leave it OFF for a couple of days to a week, and THEN turn it on. This makes sure that the deer have found the fence and know it's there -- and then it zaps them.

You will have to do this to teach the new ones every year.

Cygnet · #16 04/17/13, 04:49 PM

There are worse critters than deer to keep out ...

https://www.facebook.com/video/embed...=2328319185255

(Credit to my father for the video. The joke is these two are named Next Year and Cow Tag. That's an eight food fence around the garden.)

Both white tail deer -- and elk, as in the video -- have a home range. You're dealing with the same animals, not random new animals. So it's possible to condition them and "train" them.

One thing I'm planning on trying this year is to do some vegetable beds outside the fence, and just protect the bed itself with hot wire strung across the top of the plants in the bed. When the elk put their heads down to browse on the vegetable beds, they'll get a surprise they won't soon forget. I haven't decided if I want to use actual hot wire or suspend some chicken wire over the top of the bed about a foot above the plants, with the chicken wire itself electrified.

ETA: You know those garden whirligigs and metal butterflies on stakes and other pretty baubles? Wouldn't it be cool if you could get some that had a solar panel to charge a battery, and a healthy zap if a deer brushed up against them? Somebody needs to invent that. Be awesome for protecting potted plants and flower beds ...

am1too · #17 04/17/13, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambler

If the deer are randomly wandering about, that will dissuade them mostly. Somewhat.

If you are trying to fence them out of a lush garden when the world around you is barren and bleak, you will need much taller and far better fence to keep them out of paradise...

Paul

A dog is the best solution I know of.