[Market-farming] Deer Fencing experiences

Celeste Illgner Havener chavener at uwyo.edu
Mon May 12 11:08:31 EDT 2008


We have quite a few deer here (84 in the spring herd).  One thing that
seems to deter them (and elk) is a 'double fence'.  Outsied fence can be
just wire or buckfence and the second 3-6' inside of that is at least 5'
high and very visible; deer fence, wind break, snow fence, or woven
wire.  The deer here are just not interested in testing narrow areas;
but they do have plenty of graze and are still pretty wild and not used
to people.
Good luck,

Celeste 
High Horse Farm
Wyoming
Snow showers this weekend, more snow predicted but the green is winning!

-----Original Message-----
From: Leigh Hauter [mailto:bullrunfarm at hughes.net] 
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 10:51 PM
To: Market Farming
Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Deer Fencing experiences


>We are getting ready to run our electric fencing and the game warden 
>suggested putting streamers of aluminum foil every 6 - 8 feet with 
>peanut butter spread on them and use a high voltage meter, the deer 
>will be drawn to the PB and when their cold wet nose hits it...they 
>will get buzzed! I only hope they jump backwards and not into the 
>garden area. We are in Middle TN, where are you?
Catherine at Flying S Farms


been there, done that and it really doesn't work all that well unless 
the deer are really well fed and not particular interested in what 
you are growing.  If they are even a little bit hungry, electric 
fences even with the bait and streamers and the double fence doesn't 
work.

The only thing that does  (and we've tried it all) is the deer fence. 
I would go to ten feet.  I've seen them jump 7.  (this winter someone 
left the gate open and 4 deer came in and were chowing down on the 
winter rye growing in the field right inside the gate.  I came home, 
saw the gate open, saw the deer, put the truck into four wheel and 
went right out in to the field  and straight for the deer, thinking, 
thinking that they would turn and go out the open gate.

Instead they turned alright, went right for the closest 8 foot deer 
fence and all four of them cleared it without touching.

What do they say about deer.  They can jump 6 feet from standing 
still,  8 feet with a running start and twelve feet with motivation. 
Those deer obviously had motivation.

Near us, the national zoo has a breeding center with 12 ft chain link 
fences around the wild animal areas.  Occasionally you will see the 
local deer on the wrong side of the fence.  The only way in was over 
the top.

Since we put up our ten foot fence  (which droops to 7 in spots) the 
deer in the vegetables has decreased.  This spring we put up a 
second, seven foot tall fence, five feet outside the original.  Our 
intention is no losses due to deer.  I think one of the most 
important factors is to condition the deer to not eating in the 
fields.  Once they lose the habit the fences and even electric fences 
work.  But if they get in and have sampled the wares they will 
constantly be testing your barrier.
>
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