(Mule) Deer fence construction recommendations

[kiotirocky]

Hello fellow tractor users. This is 2nd post, and my 1st thread. I've lurked, learned, and leveraged what I've gained here. I thank you all and hope to distill more wisdom from you; and somehow contribute.

Given the old saw of "Good, cheap, and fast...pick 2", I need to construct a ≥8ft mule deer fence to protect a 1ac. vineyard in Northwestern Nevada. Prices are fluctuating wildly out there, so I don't know whether to bank on 10-12' t-posts, wooden round/square/rectangular posts, etc.

I have time, since I'll be doing it myself, so I need good and affordable. Plan is to use hydraulic auger for punching the holes, which is handy because it's how I prepare for vines.

Trial fence comprised of 9'6" pvc tied to shorter metal fenceposts, with bottom 4' chicken wire and 1' spaced wires (orange bailing twine) above that, worked very well, but it's neither permanent nor inexpensive. It's in the photo. Ignore the angled bottom section, as it was a relic from a prior attempt.

From the opinions on fence for mule deer from this page, 8' is the minimum height I'd want to go: How tall should a fence be for a mule deer? - The Environmental Literacy Council

Would you go 10'-12' T-posts anchored in concrete? Wood anchored in concrete? A combo? What questions am I not asking myself?

 

[workinonit]

I used 8' fixed knot fencing. 6"x6"x10' corner and line posts and 2"x8" bracing. I filled in the spaces with 10' T-posts. Fenced in about 3 times what you are fencing for a garden. Got the wire from Deer Busters.

 

[workinonit]

I sunk all of my 6x6s in concrete. Just drove the t-posts. Used a 12" auger.

 

[Williy]

I have seen deer jump over a 20 ft high chain link fence as long
as they can see whats on the other side they jump. I have seen
deer stop when they can up against a solid fence they can't see
what's on the other side and walk around it never seen one jump
one

willy

 

[workinonit]

Sorry for the white tail that jumps mine. I hope he can jump back over it before I get out there. He will be supper for the orphanage if I catch him in there.

 

[redman135]

Have you thought about how to discourage deer from jumping in the first place,ie minimise their run up, make the landing bad?
New Zealand style deer fences are just rammed into dirt. The regular posts are 9'ers rammed in 3' for a 6' fence hight, I can not recall how deep the straiers are rammed. In general Ag fencing is just rammed into dirt as concrete footing is cost prohibitive.

Deer Discouragement
1) Strain the fence slightly slack as this will throw the deer back with out injuring or killing it, AND it results in less fence damage.
2) Design your fence so there are no sharp corners (high preassure) that create jump points.
3) Try to minimise run up space to reduce jumping.
4) If a tree can fall on the fence remove it first. My neighbour used to have deer and sometimes a treee would fall on the deer fence leading to escapes.
5) If you have a hill and deer are tramping the fenceline you can get scouring (2 - 3 ft deep), this can lead to deer actually digging under the
fence!!! I had never heard of that before. To stop this my neighbour would dump branches in tracks to force the deer to track out from the fence

 

[workinonit]

I just put up a fence and didn't have to worry about all of that. I could have pounded the posts but That fence would have pulled them over. I tried different solutions for 5 years. The only things that work are a gun and a fence.

 

[jfsawatzky]

I’ve read that two fences one high the other short interferes with the deers lack of depth perception and ability to jump. I don’t recall the spacing or the height of the short fence right now. I haven’t tried it but need to do something around the garden

 

[Williy]

I know if you spray with a mixture of hot peppers, hot sauce
vinegar some water grind so it will go threw sprayer spray
where the deer feed they will not return no fence needed

willy

 

[ning]

I have seen deer jump over a 20 ft high chain link fence

willy

No, you haven't.