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What are the Best Materials for a Deer Fence?

Deanna Baranyi
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Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,292
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One of the biggest nuisances for many gardeners is deer. In fact, estimates have placed damages caused by deer in the United States in the hundreds of millions of dollars, every year. Deer have few natural predators and seem to prefer well-fertilized and cared for landscaped plants – more so than their natural vegetation. Consequently, a deer fence may be one of the options to protect landscaping.

Some studies have estimated that the deer population in America alone has jumped from 500,000 in the 1940s to over 27 million. As a result, any plant that remains green and is edible through the winter becomes a special treat to these cute mammals. Because of the high deer population, the deer have become accustomed to such delicacies – and are usually not spooked by humans.

The purpose of a deer fence is to keep deer away from landscaped plants. Most deer cannot jump over a deer fence that is nine to ten feet (2.7 – 3.0 m) tall. However, many gardeners who want to build such a tall deer fence are restricted by covenants in their neighborhoods. For those individuals, a six foot (1.8 m) fence may be the maximum allowed according to the code – a mere hop for a deer. Consequently, those gardeners must also increase the distance that the deer must jump horizontally, plus build a deer fence that reaches the code’s maximum.

The best way to build an efficient deer fence and follow code is to plant shrubs that will grow horizontally and vertically on each side of the fence wall. It is important to plant only shrubs that are resistant to deer – or such measures will be futile. Examples of deer resistant shrubs include the Butterfly Bush, Buttonbush, Dogwood, Elderberry, Forsythia, and Coralberry. Generally, deer do not like to consume plants that are prickly, have thick leaves, have a medicinal use, or have a mint or lemon scent. Contact a local nursery to see which shrubs will grow well in a given area.

One of the newest forms of a deer fence is made from plastic mesh that is about 8 feet (2.4 m) tall. It is designed to protect woodland areas of a gardener’s landscaping from hungry deer and comes in rolls. Since it is black in color and it is wrapped around the trees, it easily blends into the landscaping and will not become an eye-sore.

Another form of a mesh deer fence is mesh netting. It is used to create a barrier to keep deer out. The barrier is usually clear -– again, to keep the landscaping aesthetically pleasing. Check the codes and rules in each neighborhood to see if either the plastic mesh or see-through netting is allowed.

In rare cases, a deer fence may actually be created that has an electrical current running through it. In general, the deer will only receive a light jolt of electricity – from a battery pack or solar powered cell. Although it may not be as visible as some of the other options, it may physically disturb the deer. There are countless options for installing a quality deer fence, and a gardener must simply decide what works best for his needs.

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Deanna Baranyi
By Deanna Baranyi
Deanna Baranyi, a freelance writer and editor with a passion for the written word, brings a diverse skill set to her work. With degrees in relevant fields and a keen ability to understand and connect with target audiences, she crafts compelling copy, articles, and content that inform and engage readers.

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Discussion Comments
By Sporkasia — On Jan 11, 2015

Some people will spread deer corn on the edge of their property. The theory being that the deer will eat the corn and not bother the plants in the yard or the produce in the garden.

Of course, this feeding routine could lead to more deer once the word about the free corn gets around. There is also no guarantee the deer will not eat the corn and then help themselves to whatever else they want on your property. In the long run, a good cheap deer fence might work more efficiently.

By Feryll — On Jan 10, 2015

Assuming you are not trying to kill the animals, you don't want to build a deer fence that has spikes or sharp protrusions on top. Otherwise, when a deer tries to jump over your fence and comes up a bit short you are going to have a mess on your hands. That's not something I would care to clean up, and not something you want young kids to see.

By mobilian33 — On Jan 10, 2015

Farmers sometimes use noise machines to protect their crops from deer and other animals that raid their fields. I'm not sure your neighbors would appreciate loud sounds like gunshots or voices in the middle of the night, but the machines are good for isolated fields and gardens. And the noises don't have to be very loud to scare off a deer.

By Drentel — On Jan 09, 2015

I have a friend who installed an electrical deer fence around his garden. However he didn't make the fence tall enough, and once the deer figured out what they were up against they would leap the fence into the garden. Once they ate all they wanted, they would leap right back out with no problem and go about their business.

Deer have very small brains, but they adapt quickly. I think my friend got shocked by the fence more than any of the deer ever did. He eventually took the fence down and shared the garden with the deer.

Deanna Baranyi
Deanna Baranyi
Deanna Baranyi, a freelance writer and editor with a passion for the written word, brings a diverse skill set to her...
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