Cheap deer fence

[NS Gearhead]

This spring I built two 30' raised beds and planted blackberries on the right and raspberries on the left.


It seems they're a tasty treat for deer, and I suspect, porcupines too. I've tried every type of sent and noise deterant I can think of... and they've failed, so it's time to bite the bullet and build a fence. Seeing as how these rows sit on rock (hence, the raised beds), digging down to set posts isn't realistic. This is also about 500' away from the house on an ATV trail. So, I've built a log perimiter as the base. I had to shorten the rows about 5' in order to line up a big tree on one corner and to allow room to pass between the fence and the end of the rows to get to the outside of them.




I picked up some 1" galvanized chedule 40 pipe off kijiji for $50. Enough for 11 8' lengths. This will do the 3 corners, with two posts/ side. 8' 4" between posts.
Cut to length
\

Picked up a 1 1/4" spade bit with 12" extension


First test hole


It was tight! The pipe is 1.3something" OD. I beveled the edge quite and bit and it took some pounding with a 4lb mini maul to get it in.

So, knowing that I wanted to cap the tops of the pipes to keep water out, I made a little tool to keep the ends from mushrooming when getting pounded in.
Found this in the scrap pile. Nice tight fit.










Decided to try 1 3/8" so picked up another spade bit. Also, caps and straps. The straps are for 2X4s I'll put along the top and probably mid-way.


The larger hole was ok.... I could push the pipe in... but it allowed for some wiggle. I'd rather spend half a day pounding pipe in knowing that it's never coming back out or wiggling.


Caps are a hammer fit, as long as I grind a bevel. At least I won't need glue!



I've got a generator from a buddy, and I plan to go do some drilling today! Not sure on what netting I'll be putting up. I'm wondering if I should put some heavy duty rabbit type wire screen on the bottom 4' and just use single strand wire every 6" for the top 4'. I guess I'll just see what the costs are like when I go to the farm supply store.

 

[PAGUY]

Any thought as to how you will be able to access the berries once they ripen?

PA-GUY

 

[Ford850]

I've used the 7' light weight plastic mesh (1/2" squares) that is sold as Deer Fence, and it's worked well. You could use that as an inexpensive solution that might turn out to be a permanent one. If it were me, I would put it up even with the top of the posts, and then add chicken wire fence along the bottom to keep porcupines from chewing through.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Any thought as to how you will be able to access the berries once they ripen?

PA-GUY

Of course. There will be a man sized door on the trail side. Likely made out of 2x4s.

 

[NS Gearhead]

I've used the 7' light weight plastic mesh (1/2" squares) that is sold as Deer Fence, and it's worked well. You could use that as an inexpensive solution that might turn out to be a permanent one. If it were me, I would put it up even with the top of the posts, and then add chicken wire fence along the bottom to keep porcupines from chewing through.

I've seen this locally for $50... but when I talked to one lady that worked there she told me that when she zip tied one to rebar posts that the netting would sometimes break just from the zip ties.... didn't give me much confidence that it'll hold up. I like the idea of that plus chicken wire though. I'll keep that as an option.

 

[NS Gearhead]

quick sketch of what it looks like from above;

 

[EddieWalker]

Interesting concept putting the pipe through the logs. I hope they don't rot on you too quickly. Whey didn't you attach the fencing to your existing trees?

 

[NS Gearhead]

Interesting concept putting the pipe through the logs. I hope they don't rot on you too quickly. Whey didn't you attach the fencing to your existing trees?

I suppose I could have strung some wire up and held the netting up with that... but it would have interfeard with the trail and there really aren't many trees lined up well or big enough. Logs seem to last a fair while around here, and they are laying of broken up rock so they'll get a chance to dry between rains. I'd give this 10 years before I have to start thinking of something else... maybe 15. Next time I'll drill down into the rock. I just don't have the time or money this time around.

 

[nybirdman]

A solar powered electric fence would have been a lot less work and more effective.At least for the deer.

 

[NS Gearhead]

A solar powered electric fence would have been a lot less work and more effective.At least for the deer.

I don't mind putting in the work.

 

[Ivan49]

Deer were eating our ruebarb and I put in a post on each side of the row and took the deer netting and strung it from a top wire on each side of the row. If you don't fasten the bottom the deer don't like anything rubbing on their heads. The came back but once they tried to get to it they hit the net and the one jumped halfway across the garden. They left it alone after that

 

[Stimw]

Just grind the sides of your bit until the posts fit the way you want.
Here is how I handled the deer problem. Field Fence and barbed wire up 8' high!

 

[NS Gearhead]

Got 6 in last night. Drilling the hole straight is proving to be harder then I thought. Of course I started where it's most important to have them straight for the door.


I can put it straight side to side but have a hard time telling what's straight towards me or away from me... so the last couple I was drilling parallel with the log. The 2x4 topper will be able to pull the pipe one way or the other. I've also made this in hopes it'll help me with the rest.


Also picked up my netting. A friend works at a netting and rigging place. It's an end cut. 9.5'X146' I got it for half price through her for $70



I've got a plan to straighten that post. More to come on that.

 

[NS Gearhead]

test bend went well. Didn't kink or ruin the finish.


set in place, but as I feared; the jack doesn't work on it's side. Looking for a solution...


bought a bunch of fencing nails, and 100' of clothes line to trellis the rows


and finally I treated myself to these as they were on sale, and I've been working a lot of overtime lately. I've been waiting years to get myself this set. Can't wait to try them! 20V lithium Ion.

 

[oldballs]

I used 6 1/2 ft steel posts and 1/2 inch PVC schedule 40 water pipe to hold the best grade deer netting that I could find. The best quality zip tie lasts for years, as does the netting. 2 ft Chicken wire at the base keeps out small varmints. This alone would probably serve your purpose. However, in my picture you will see a 48' field wire fence with some 6 inch corner posts as well.

Well, you don't see the corner posts, but you get the idea.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[NS Gearhead]

Well, I tried flipping the bender 180deg, and it worked on a test bend in the garage (90deg)... but not on the post at the berry patch. Took it back home and filled the reservoire.... as much as it would hold. I'll try it again today and report back.

 

[randy41]

hi quality 7 1/2' deer fence holds up well and does the job. easy to install as well.

 

[plastikosmd]

Maybe I missed it. I didn't think u spiked the logs to the ground yet or each other? If not, roll it so pipe is level to ground then bend?

 

[sdef]

The fence I ended up with is 6' of horse fence on the bottom and final step to be completed is to add two 12 gauge wires to the top for a total height of 7' 3".
As a temporary measure we got some 5' high plastic mesh fence from TSC and wrapped it around a bunch of heavy duty t-posts. Left the bottom 18" exposed which raised the fence to 6.5' and tied to the t-posts using fishing line. Created a "gate" by just adding 3 t-post clips to a t-post and simple hooking the final netting piece over them. This setup worked very well while I was finishing the permanent fence and the plastic netting still looks new after a summer of use.

 

[NS Gearhead]

Maybe I missed it. I didn't think u spiked the logs to the ground yet or each other? If not, roll it so pipe is level to ground then bend?

7th picture back, you can see that the corners are tied in together with the posts.

Finally got it figured out. Overfilling the jack worked. Only took me 30min to straighten all 11 posts. Well worth it. This would have bothered me every time I looked at it.

You can see the slight bend in the bottom. This one was the worst, and the most important as it will support the door.


Before


After


This one only needed a little love. You can barely see the bend at the bottom.