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  • From: Leigh Hauter <bullrunfarm AT hughes.net>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Deer Fencing experiences
  • Date: Fri, 9 May 2008 00:50:36 -0400


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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