A Deer fence can help save homeowner crops and gardens. Deer require various types of plants for food which are usually found in mountains, plains, forests and grasslands. Some deer strayed from their natural habitat as they started to feed from farms. White-tailed deer are native to the United States, South America, Mexico, and Canada and became a problem to many farmers. As a result deer fencing has become more popular.
Types of Deer Fence Available
If various forms of an electric fence, peanut butter lick, noise makers, sonic devices or other repellents did not work, and they are still feeding from the crops or garden, this kind of fence should keep the animals out.
Deer senses are important to know. Deer usually measure height by eye sight, and if they are able to see an obstruction, they will jump over it. As such, the height of the fence depends on the animals in the area. Mule, black-tailed, and white tailed can jump effortlessly over six-foot fences and cause serious damage in a garden.
The only way to keep them from trampling your garden to pieces or eating it is to keep them out. Kits are designed to keep them from entering specific areas. They can be as large as the entire estate or farm, or as small as a vegetable garden in the back yard.
The different types of DIY products include:
Double fencing
A barrier around the fence with another one five or six feet away from it. The two parallel fences are effective in keeping the animals out but are very expensive to install and difficult to maintain.
Slanted
A shorter option slanting outward at a forty-five-degree angle. The reason for this is because they cannot jump both high and over a distance.
Wood
In areas with high animal pressure the fencing that is made of wood will have to exceed the height of seven foot. In fact, municipalities require permits for installing fencing that is over eight-foot high.
Electric
These are not allowed in all counties. When the animals get hungry enough, they will ignore the shock from electric current.
Mesh
Heavy duty, durable and long-lasting netting made of polypropylene is known to last for up to fifteen years. High pressure areas require 110 grams per square meter. A poly deer fence like the Tenax Pro deer fence is easy to install and does not require unique skills or special equipment.
Vinyl-coated Hex Wire
These require little maintenance but tends to be hard to handle. The PVC coated vinyl may chip and cause corrosion.
Welded wire
This is an effective solution and requires almost no maintenance. The wire is more visible than polypropylene mesh. The material is hard to handle and heavy.
High tension steel
The installation of this type of deer fence requires special equipment and skills. It should be at least eight feet high.
Woven
This option is made of heavy galvanized hardware cloth with standard spacing. The vertical wires are continuous in length. Tension curves and knots will force impact load to spread. The woven material offers additional coating to prevent corrosion.
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If the barrier is not high enough, the animal could get injured when attempting to jump over it. Six-foot-tall fencing have more reported injuries than those with a height of eight feet. No deer-injuries were reported where they were installed at the height of ten feet.
Upright fences
Width and height are important factors in planning kits. Most can jump at least eight feet high. An upright garden fence should be as tall as a deer can jump. A four foot one would be sufficient in Florida to keep the smaller Key deer out, but in Northwest America a much higher barrier would be required to secure a property from moose.
Heavy duty deer and elk poly/netting is less expensive and will keep the animals securely out of an orchard, nursery, or garden. The high-strength inch mesh is manufactured in 8ft by 100 ft and 150 ft rolls in black color, has no sharp edges, and has a life expectancy of about fifteen years. The metal hex netting also blends with the landscape, will not rust, requires less maintenance, and is easy to handle and install. This heavy duty product is available in heights of up to thirteen feet.
Fencing with a reinforced edge adds further garden or crop protection with its breaking load of 650 pounds. An extra strength option is available on the market and has a staggering breaking strength of 750 pounds. This premium plastic fencing is used around nurseries, vineyards, community gardens, and large landscapes.
Planning a Fence
When planning orchard or garden fencing, it is a good idea to address the threat of these animals in the area. Almost every spring, as gardens begin to recover from the ravages of winter, that these animals turn up. They are most active at night and leave behind uprooted or shredded vegetation. In addition, these animals can be spotted at dusk or dawn as well.
In most cases, they usually destroy gardens or orchards by eating the new and tender growth on your saplings, or damage trees by rubbing their antlers against the bark. The Department of Fish and Wildlife can assist with the necessary information about deer activity in the area.
For proper deer fence installation design and layout, you’ll need to determine each post’s location in an area with minimal terrain changes and minimal brush clearing is required. To clarify, you’ll need to plan the installation line and the driveway gates, keeping in mind that if you add an access gate, it should be about two feet wider than the road. The location for the gate needs to be as level as possible.
Make a list of fencing materials that you will need such as a tape and linear fence, cable, post kits, gate kits, ground stakes, heavy duty cable ties, hog ring clips, gripple wire joiners, and cement. Tools you may need are a post driver, small sledge hammer, long noise pliers, nine-inch magnetic level, wrench, and digging bar. You will also need a measuring tape, six-inch cut off Sawzall blade, post-hole digger, and a ten-pound sledge hammer.
Installation Steps
The first step after you have placed a line where the fence will go, is to lay the posts at twelve-foot spacings. Bright colored paint works great for marking the area where the post will go into the ground. Expect to find roots, hard ground, or rocks when you pound the posts into the ground. Use the level to view and ensure the post is straight and then mark the height you need. Make sure to leave an extra six inches so it can lay flat on the ground.
After you have rolled it out, you attach the top of it with heavy duty cable ties above the marks by pulling the ties as tight as possible. It is important that you pull it straight as you can to attach it. Each post will get four more ties. Keep on pulling the material downward as you attach it. Twelve-inch kinked stakes will secure the remaining six-inch fence laying on the ground. You can use two stakes for each section between the posts. The corners are usually the weaker points of the fence, and you can support them with anchors.
Think About the Cost
Factors such as hilly, swampy, or rocky terrain can influence deer fence kit costs. The initial cost depends entirely on the height and length of fence needed. One should also consider the amount of maintenance that will be needed to keep it in good condition. In addition, ongoing costs such as electricity and maintenance should be considered.
You will need to calculate each items cost of tools, posts, main material, and fasteners for securing the fence to the posts. The life expectancy must be weighed against the initial cost. Manpower and time should also be considered.
Ongoing Fence Maintenance
Maintenance does require some work such as clearing bramble, plants, and brush from it annually. Strong winds can cause branches to fall on fences and cable, or zip ties may need to be replaced. You should also monitor the effectiveness of the fence and regularly look for signs or tracks. Polypropylene fences should be periodically inspected for small holes (which critters can make).
Any part of a fencing that touches the ground should be treated. Wood should be rot-resistant, and metal should be coated with vinyl, sprayed with rust-proof paint or galvanized. If there is a sign of rust on any angle-iron post, it should be treated.
Conclusion
Animals can cause serious damage in gardens and crops. It is always a good idea to address the threat in your area and to speak to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Visit the main website for information regarding their activity in your area.
One installation point to make is that the height of any deer fence should be planned based on the size of the animals in your area. The initial do it yourself cost depends entirely on the height and length of fence needed.
Heavy duty deer and elk netting is less expensive and will keep them securely out of the required area. High strength mesh is manufactured with polypropylene in black, has no sharp edges and has a life expectancy of about fifteen years. Add to cart or contact us with any questions. Free shipping to your home is provided on most orders.
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