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  • From: "robscott@freeshell.org" <robscott@freeshell.org>
  • To: permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [permaculture] deer fence alternatives
  • Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2006 02:23:04 +0000 (UTC)


Two deer strategies I've seen work:

1. Put two shorter fences 6' apart. Plant it with chicken browse, use it as a "run". The deer are not inclined to try jumping two fences, especially if the second one is taller then the first. Other variations: plant deer food between the fences. Use the fences as trellis, moat, or soundbarrier. Plant thorny plants in between the fences, and let them continue outside the fence area. Grow bamboo.

Two short fences are less ugly, and more functional, than one tall fence.

2. I've had success piling brush around individual trees in restoration scenarios. Here in Illinois, we restore oak forests (sometimes). That often involves removing invasive brush such as honeysuckle and autumn olive or russian olive. Restorationists often burn the brush afterwards, or remove it from site. If, instead, you make rings around vulnerable seedlings, the deer can't get close enough to the trees to kill them.

Both of these ideas are based on the observation that deer are *very* careful with their legs -- if they can't see where their foot (hoof) is going to safely touch ground, they generally wont risk it. A broken leg is a disaster for a deer, and they have evolved to look before they leap.

Rob
Urbana, IL




  • [permaculture] deer fence alternatives, robscott@freeshell.org, 04/19/2006

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