Field fencing vs. utility fencing for garden?

[downslope]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating 8 foot fences, just was pointing out that it is possible for a deer to clear a fence that high. Six foot fencing has been found to be pretty effective for deer by themselves. In the OP's case, I am suggesting a lower fence in combination with offset wires could accomplish keeping deer out in addition to smaller critters.

I think he was questioning your statement about deer being able to jump an 8 foot fence. In my experience they will not jump that high. I have had an 8 foot fence for 6 years and not one white-tail deer has gotten over it from the outside.

If I were the OP I wouldn't bother using multiple short rolls to build up the height of the fence. Bite the bullet and use some quality high tensile knotted/woven galvanized fence 8' high. You will need less line posts and you can stretch it tight so it won't sag. You're already using 6" corners, so I would just add one more about 10 ft from each corner and double brace them. The low cost welded fence will rust sooner than Class 3 galvanized and since you can't tension it very much you'll need about twice as many posts to keep it from sagging.

 

[Circle W]

I think he was questioning your statement about deer being able to jump an 8 foot fence. In my experience they will not jump that high. I have had an 8 foot fence for 6 years and not one white-tail deer has gotten over it from the outside. If I were the OP I wouldn't bother using multiple short rolls to build up the height of the fence. Bite the bullet and use some quality high tensile knotted/woven galvanized fence 8' high. You will need less line posts and you can stretch it tight so it won't sag. You're already using 6" corners, so I would just add one more about 10 ft from each corner and double brace them. The low cost welded fence will rust sooner than Class 3 galvanized and since you can't tension it very much you'll need about twice as many posts to keep it from sagging.

Bingo!

 

[JamesHW]

I think he was questioning your statement about deer being able to jump an 8 foot fence. In my experience they will not jump that high. I have had an 8 foot fence for 6 years and not one white-tail deer has gotten over it from the outside.

Most of what I've read says a white tailed deer can theoretically jump a twelve foot fence and can certainly can jump a seven foot fence from a standing position and a 8 foot fence while running. running for it's life being chased by a pack of angry dogs on the other hand an eight foot fence probably wouldn't present an impassable barrier.

 

[HeLa]

a few thoughts:

from my experience the larger the garden, the taller the fence needs to be. similar to the dual-layer fence idea, deer will generally not jump even a short fence into what they perceive to be an enclosed area. 140'x110' is big - you need a tall fence.

i like 7'+ fence for deer. to save money a 4' fence with wire strands above it will work and save big bucks.

look at round posts - often cheaper and treated better (if you are using PT - that's another discussion all together) than planed lumber.

if you want 8' of fence, buy it that tall - how do you plan to roll, tighten, fasten the upper roll? larger (cheaper per foot) rolls are going to be VERY heavy to maneuver 4' off the ground.

do not bury chicken wire - it won't last. in a year or two it will be gone or weak enough to be dug/chewed through. bury aluminum flashing or heavier wire fence in an "L" shape (down, then bend it 90 degrees and run it parallel to the ground)

use woven wire. welds break and you can tighten the fence (even if it's not high-tensile it will tolerate more stretching and uneven ground than welded wire)

anything smaller than 1"x1" will not guarantee that rabbits can't get in. put up field fence (cheaper than 2x4) then put some 1x1 wire along the base

groundhogs don't mind climbing fences. i like an electric wire ~1' off the ground on the outside of the fence



finally - it might be cheaper to just buy vegetables :laughing: (i know, it's not the point)

 

[Circle W]

Most of what I've read says a white tailed deer can theoretically jump a twelve foot fence and can certainly can jump a seven foot fence from a standing position and a 8 foot fence while running. running for it's life being chased by a pack of angry dogs on the other hand an eight foot fence probably wouldn't present an impassable barrier.

I can assure you eight feet of fence is a perfectly impassable barrier to deer if installed correctly. I've seen both my deer and wild deer hit it at full speed and it works. They hit about seven feet up and the high tensile wire snaps them backwards. The only time I've heard of one getting past it was when the fence wasn't tightened enough when it was installed. If the fence isn't tight enough it will not push back enough when they hit it and they will roll over the top of the fence, not genuinely clearing the eight feet.

See the deer in my avitar? Eight feet fence has kept him in for about 4 years now!:thumbsup:

 

[kubota4me]

I think he was questioning your statement about deer being able to jump an 8 foot fence. In my experience they will not jump that high. I have had an 8 foot fence for 6 years and not one white-tail deer has gotten over it from the outside.

If I were the OP I wouldn't bother using multiple short rolls to build up the height of the fence. Bite the bullet and use some quality high tensile knotted/woven galvanized fence 8' high. You will need less line posts and you can stretch it tight so it won't sag. You're already using 6" corners, so I would just add one more about 10 ft from each corner and double brace them. The low cost welded fence will rust sooner than Class 3 galvanized and since you can't tension it very much you'll need about twice as many posts to keep it from sagging.

Could you please point me to a link for the high tensile knotted/woven galvanized fence 8' high?

 

[DT86]

http://www.kencove.com/fence/Deer+Fence_detail_WDN20-6.php

 

[Western]

K4me, don't know where you're at, but scroll down to the 2nd product here, at least it will be some info on 8' game fence.

Fencing and Wire Products from Burly Fencing and Supply Store

 

[Circle W]

Could you please point me to a link for the high tensile knotted/woven galvanized fence 8' high?

Stay Tuff Fence Mfg Inc. - High Tensile Woven Wire Fence and Fence Installation Tools

OK Brand

 

[Spindifferent]

I have no experience with this fence, but am considering it for a new orchard:

Anti-Deer Fence (3D Scented 3 to 5 Strand)
Electric Fencing - Premier1Supplies

Have purchased other items from Premier, and they are an excellent company with quality products.