Living in a deer territory can be a blessing & a curse at times. While it is indeed a rewarding sight to spot a deer galloping off into the distance, having them running loose in your garden can be the worst nightmare.
Yeah, we know that gardening in a deer territory is a gruesome battle because these galloping beauties if let loose can unleash havoc in your garden, leaving foliage raggedy and the fruits of your labor plundered.
There are quite a few ways to keep deer away from your garden starting from planting deer-resistant plants, using deer repellents, to deterring them from entering your garden by scaring them. If you have tried all these tactics and failed, perhaps it is time to think about building a fence.
Having a fence around your property isn’t going to solve everything if not constructed properly. There are certain things one needs to keep in mind to construct effective fencing. For instance, the height of the fence, thickness of wire, and so on.
We hope to provide our readers with as much information to help steer them in the right direction before they choose to buy a deer fence. In this article, we have compiled a list of top 7 best deer fences available in the market after consulting with professional horticulturalists & experienced gardeners.
Things to Consider Before Choosing a Deer Fence
1. Height: If you didn’t know, a deer can jump as high as 8 feet. So while installing a fence make sure that it is at least 7 ft. tall. Deer generally enters the garden crawling through the opening in the bottom of the fence. So make sure that the fence covers the bottom side too.
2. Slack: Deer are powerful creatures. Combine that with the speeds at which they can run they can exert a deadly force on the fence that can damage the fencing. Make sure that the fence you install has enough slack to counter the push.
3. Ease of Repair & Maintenance: Installing a fence is not a one-time task rather you would also have to find time to do frequent repairs & maintenances. While choosing a fence make sure that it is easy to maintain & do repairs in case of any damage.
If you are living in an area with a large population of deer, you might have to think about installing an electrified fence rather than a normal one. But before you install one make sure that it is legal in the area of your residence.
Even if it is legal you need to be very careful with the electric fence especially if you have kids at home. These electric fences can land quite a descent shock if you were to come in contact with.
Now that you have an idea about the things to keep in mind while purchasing a deer fence let’s have a look at the top best top 7 best deer fence available in the market.
Top 7 Best Deer Fence in the Market
Tenax 60100109 Pro Deer Fence, Black, 7.5-Feet by 100-Feet
This is one of the most popular deer fences that are available in the market. The 7.5ft in the name refers to its height, which is sufficient enough to keep the deer away from your premises.
Tenax 60100109 Pro which is in black can seamlessly blend in with any surroundings. The specially stitched wide mesh can mimic the texture of cloth or welded wire giving it a better appearance.
The fence has been made out of a material with MD Tensile strength of 377 lbs/foot. When compared to the other products in this price range Tenax 60100109 Pro is the strongest.
Apart from being strong, it is also lightweight making it easier to work with. Even someone who has no experience in doing fencing can install it with ease.
Pros
- The strongest fence in this price range
- 7.5ft high
- Will not corrode or rust
- 600+ lb breaking load
- Easy to work with & install
- Can be installed on wooden posts & secured with staples
- Visually blends in with the surroundings
Cons
- The dimensions do not always match the advertised ones
- The fence is not smooth & straight as one would expect
- The fencing tends to sag at the top with time. Especially during summer.
C-Flex 1A120243 Deer Fence Select, 7.5 ft x 330 ft, Black
Similar to the Tenax 60100109 Pro mentioned above, the C-Flex 1A120243 is made out of polypropylene making it non-corrosive. The C-Flex 1A120243 is also UV stabilized which ensures strength & longer life.
The 7.5ft x 330ft fence weighs about 49 pounds and is yet easier to work with compared to the other models in this weight range. All this has been made possible without compromising on the quality.
The C-Flex 1A120243 is known in the market for its rounded tensile design, professionally trimmed bottom & the black color that gives the fence a much better appearance.
The manufacturers of this product have also given equal importance to the quality & strength of the product. C-Flex 1A120243 is strong and heavy enough to withstand a running deer strike.
Pros
- 15+ year life span
- Easy to install
- Value for money
- Durable
- 600+ lb breaking strength
- Can be attached to poles using just zip ties
Cons
- The fence sags during extreme summers
- Not effective against smaller animals such as rabbits & foxes
Easy Gardener LG400171 7-by-100-Foot Deer Barrier Fencing
As the name suggests the Easy Gardener LG400171 is easy to install owing to its lightweight & easy to use roll packing that attaches easily to poles & trees.
While being lightweight, this material is UV stabilized & durable making it capable of surviving for years. What makes this product popular in the market is its ability to blend in perfectly with the surroundings.
Pros
- Lightweight & easy to install
- No sharp edges
- Will not cause harm to the animals
- You can use the mesh to grow creepers
Cons
- Not effective against small animals
- Not thick enough to prevent the Deer from tearing through the fence
- The dimension of the product may vary when delivered
Ohuhu 6.6 X 65 FT Heavy Duty Netting for Garden
The Ohuhu 6.6 x 65 ft. is a heavy-duty netting that can effectively keep deer at bay. Made out of tough & durable material, the Ohuhu netting can last for years to come even in extreme summer, winter & rain. The netting has a mesh opening of 0.6″, which means apart from deer it can also keep the critters such as foxes & rabbits away from your garden.
The netting has been made out of lightweight material making it easier to use. This has been done without compromising a dime on quality. The material is strong enough to prevent the critters from gnawing their way through the netting.
Unlike the other nets in this price range that are made out of nylon, the Ohuhu won’t get intertwined with branches or leaves. The netting is thick enough for you to cut out small sections out of it for other purposes without losing its strength.
The professional horticulturalists we consulted said that Ohuhu is known among the professional gardeners for their multi-functional design. For instance, the easy to install netting can be used to cover your homegrown fruits and veggies, shade protectors, and so on apart from being an effective garden fencing.
Pros
- A bang for a buck deal
- Multi-functional design
- Sag resistant
- 50 bonus tie cable included for free with the netting
- Easy to install
- Heavy-duty yet light enough to be flexible
Cons
- The netting tends to tangle up in itself when folded
- The dimension of the product may vary when delivered
- Not tall enough to prevent deer from jumping into the garden
GREENWISH 1, Heavy Duty, net and Fencing
This heavy-duty netting can be effectively used against animals, critters, and birds from damaging your crops. Greenwish 1 is made out of a UV stabilized material that will not corrode or rot with time.
The netting weighs hardly 1.01 pounds for a 7ftx100ft roll and yet is strong enough to keep the unwanted visitors out.
Pros
- Made out of UV stabilized material
- Lightweight yet strong
- Flexible to various uses
- Easy to install
- Allows light and moisture to pass-through
Cons
- Not sag-resistant
- Can’t withstand a strong push
Gardeneer by Dalen DX-7 Deer-X Protective Netting 7′ x 100′, Black – 100055880
This product is one of the cheapest yet strong netting that’s available in the market. The 5/8 mesh made out of strong & durable material is a better alternative to chicken wires and is affordable too. The 7′ x 100′ model costs a little less than $ 17.25.
Gardeneer by Dalen has been made completely out of recyclable materials making it truly environmentally friendly.
The mesh is UV stabilized, which means it can withstand harsh weather without affecting its strength. Being lightly weighted, the netting can be secured to poles using cable ties.
Pros
- Economical & Light weighted
- 7ft high
- UV Stabilization to give longer life
- Easy to install
Cons
- Small animals might choke themselves in the mesh
- Not sag-resistant
Deer Fence Netting, 7 x 100 Feet Bird Netting Heavy Duty Anti Bird Deer Protection Net
Made from UV stabilized durable polypropylene(PP) this product is lightweight yet strong enough to keep the deer out. Unlike the wooden & metal fences, this netting will not rust or corrode and can be reused as you choose.
Being lightly weighted installing this netting is a lot easier than installing a metal fencing. The reusable design makes it easier for one to cut the net using scissors to cut it to any size you need with scissors to put it up around your vegetable garden, ponds or animal enclosure for protection.
This model also comes with an additional 10pcs installation nail & 50pcs cable ties.
Pros
- A better alternative than chicken wire
- Economical & strong
- Flexible design
- Made out of non-corrosive material
- Easy to install
Cons
- Not sag-resistant
- Animals might choke themselves in the mesh
- Not effective against small critters
- Birds & small animals might get entangled in the mesh
Will deer crawl under a fence?
If you didn’t know, deer don’t always jump into your garden rather they crawl through the bottom of the fence. In fact, deer is an extremely intelligent species that is always on the hunt for an easy snack.
The first thing they do when they spot a garden with food is to poke about the bottom of the fence. It doesn’t matter if the fence/net is staked down to the ground, the deer will nose underneath and eventually enter inside the fence. In most cases, deer nose through the small openings made by rabbits or other critters.
The next time you install a fence make sure that the net/fence isn’t just high enough rather adequately deep too.
Can deer jump an 8-foot fence?
Yeah, the white-tailed deer can jump 8ft high. That being said, a deer cannot jump high and cover a large distance. For instance, a deer cannot jump over a fence that is 6 ft. high yet installed at a 45degree angle.
Which is why in most cases deer find their way into the garden through the bottom of the fencing/net. They attempt a jump only when they are confronted or scared.
How high should a deer fence be?
Most people would say that it should be at least 8ft high to effectively prevent deer from entering the garden. As mentioned in the previous section, deer can’t jump high without compromising on the horizontal distance it can cover.
Apart from that, most deer have a poor vertical vision and they won’t take a risk unless that’s the last resort. Which is why our team of experts suggest installing a fence that is 7 to 7.5 ft. high and slanted inwards.