Fencing my garden - how do deer react to string fence?

[rossn]

I'm putting in a new garden, and there are a few deer in the area, as well as tons of rabbits. I have some 2' tall 1" square welded wire, I thought I would use on the lower section for the rabbits. I was thinking I would use some T-posts and electric wire or string to cover the upper part.

How do deer react to string/wire type fences, if not electrified? I've heard of the fishing line thing, but I'm mainly thinking of using electric string or tape and only electrifying if it doesn't work without that.

For deer that aren't particularly motivated, how high of a fence is usually needed to deter them?

Thanks!

 

[CalG]

unmotivated?

Shrubs will do.

If they want to get to the other side, 6 feet is not enough!
I've watched a herd of 60 deer "flow" over a five foot fence just to get to the other side.

 

[oosik]

Deer are very good at finding any weakness in fencing. They never bothered our garden but they sure enjoyed the apples in my orchard. I've always figured - half for me, half for them and this seems to work out pretty well.

 

[WVH1977]

I have six bird dogs and my neighbor has 15 hounds. Leave a couple of them out at night and deer disappear. I am fortunate to live in a rural area where you can leave your dogs out. My boss finally built a 10 foot fence around his garden. My parents bought this stuff in a spray bottle that will take your breath away. They said that has kept the deer out. I will have to ask them what that stuff is called. It is NASTY. My biggest problem is squirrels and crows. I planted corn twice last year and the crows picked every seed out of the ground. I finally bought one of them moving owls and that has kept the crows out. A 22 is the only thing I have found to take care of the squirrels. You are going to always be fighting some kind of critter or bug in your garden. Good luck with whatever you try.

 

[CADplans]

By dumb luck,,, I found out that deer do not like to
jump from,, nor do they like to jump to,, an incline.

When we graded our garden,, all outside edges happened to slope next to the fence.

This was about 1988,,,

No deer has ever been in there,, except the time the wife left the gate open.

 

[oosik]

WVH1977 - brother, that's the God's honest truth. I've got deer & coons in my orchard, black birds in the corn, pocket gophers eating the spuds and carrots. The wife got really hostile when she saw the chipmunks eating her partially ripe strawberries. So far, nothing likes the Kohlrabi or lettuce - but I'm not holding my breath on that either. Its a constant battle - I'm surprised we get anything at harvest time.

BTW - nobody leaves their dogs out at night around here - don't care what kind of dog/dogs. They will become coyote food if left out. The coyotes have very tricky ways of luring a single dog out of a group of dogs to dine with them for dinner.

 

[Billy Bee]

In 2015 the deer thought my garden was an all you can eat salad bar. In 2016 I figured I had to try something, so I bought some of the cheaper T posts at TSC and spaced them about 20 ft. apart, took a roll of yellow caution tape and put 1 row at 2 ft. and another at 4 ft. They could have easily jumped over it, but I think they didn't like the fact that the tape jumps and wiggles in even a slight breeze. Anyway they stayed out.

The tape is also stretchy enough that I can easily get in and out, even with my walk behind tiller. And yes, my garden looks like a crime scene, but isn't stealing my vegetables a crime? A crime punishable by death starting Nov. 15th deer season.
Bill

 

[Looking4new]

I don't know about down there in Michigan, but up here in Ontario it is illegal to shoot deer over the bait (your garden).:laughing:

 

[Billy Bee]

I don't know about down there in Michigan, but up here in Ontario it is illegal to shoot deer over the bait (your garden).:laughing:

Good one! Eh? Had to get the eh in there for you Canucks.
LOL
Bill

 

[dadster4]

I've seen a double fence set up to deter deer. Spaced about 6' apart and 6' high- the deer do not like to jump into a space that tight. Otherwise you need about 8' high to keep them out.

 

[Looking4new]

Good one! Eh? Had to get the eh in there for you Canucks.
LOL
Bill

LOL:thumbsup:

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Hah. I saw a German Shepard jump my 5' fence flat footed; I figure a deer could probably clear the one at the reformatory. We never had deer problems until last year...they were there; they left plenty of evidence...but they never bothered anything until last year. They even grazed on my tomatoes and my peppers. My big mistake was planting some East Texas Purple Hull peas. They were merciless...never got a single "P". Gonna try the spray stuff and see how that works.

 

[Clint S]

I had a deer jump an 8 foot fence to get in our smaller garden. Problem was it was unable to get enough steam to get out. To those who have luck with tape ECT I am happy . We have not. Tried aluminum pie plates on string, tape, electric fence, motion lights , even a cannon that goes boom . I have had very minimal success with dumping our dog hair from the vacuum on and around. Have also sprinkled cayenne pepper on the plants with minimal success

 

[mapper]

I found that the commercial repellent works but is pretty pricey. I found a recipe for a homemade spray that works just as well if not better.
3 dozen eggs
1 cup Tabasco sauce
1 cup garlic

Process in a blender to puree, pour through fine sieve or screen to get any chunks out.
Pour into a covered bucket and store in warm location (greenhouse) away from human habitation:laughing:
Pour into sprayer through cheesecloth, 2 parts water 1 part mixture.
Spray on anything you don't want the deer to eat, stinks a little for a day or so.
Remains effective for 3-4 weeks.
What the deer smell makes them think there is a predator around with a not so fresh kill stashed in your garden. You won't smell it but they do!

 

[Navasot]

Use a hotwire... the first one that hits it will most likely tear it down but none will come near it after that

 

[rossn]

Thanks, all -- good info. May use tall T-posts and add electric if needed. Several others have gardens without fences, so we'll see....

 

[Spindifferent]

This:

3D Anti-Deer Fence

https://www.premier1supplies.com/img/fencing/diagram_pdf/31.pdf

 

[Sigarms]

Ironically enough, we're building a fence right now, enlarging the garden. Long story short, anything less than 9' tall, I see the deer jumping in if they want. As mentioned, you're always going to be fighting something.

BTW - nobody leaves their dogs out at night around here - don't care what kind of dog/dogs.

Actually, I don't care how "rural" you are. Leaving dogs outside running lose for extended periods of time is just ignorant and bad pet ownership. Yes, there are exceptions with true "working dogs", but all too many times, people think they're rural enough that they don't have to worry about their animals running lose. Also odds that those same people who let their pets run lose also don't have those same pets spayed or neutered.

 

[randy41]

This:

3D Anti-Deer Fence

https://www.premier1supplies.com/img/fencing/diagram_pdf/31.pdf

my experience with this is that you're better off spending your fence money on a deer fence...the heavy duty 7 1/2' plastic stuff.

 

[TractorGuy]

Just strapped a couple of fall decoration size scare crows on some electric fence posts. Tied them on at the waste with some yellow caution tape so it will flap in the wind. I'll let you know if it works.

On the subject of dogs: I no longer own a dog but I have had and loved them. That said, I do not tolerate stray dogs. If you leave them to run loose near my property you can expect a visit from animal control. I recently had a bad experience with some dog owners at the beach. Couple with their kids and dogs were allowing their dogs to run free with leashes attached. As soon as they saw the patrol truck coming they restrained them until it passed. As soon as the patrol turned around and went back down the beach they let them loose again. As they were about to leave the dogs ran towards me laying in my beach chair and were growling as they approached. In my defense I elbowed the first dog in the head as he got to me and luckily he backed off. The second dog circled around and approached me from the other side and was met by my right elbow. That dog proceeded to prance all over the blanket we had on the ground and get globs of wet sand all over it. I count myself lucky that these dog痴 growls were worse than their bite but it could have resulted in injury to me if they were more aggressive. When I commented to the dog's owners their negligence is what gets pets banned the woman just commented I was at the beach and should expect to get sand on me. They hurried away as my face turned red enough to catch fire. I am not a dog hater but I sure have a dislike for irresponsible pet owners and I surely do not like being attacked while trying to relax in a public setting.