Four Myths About Deer Fencing Dispelled

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Deer are an invasive species, and if you are a gardener, a rancher or a farmer, you likely do not want them on your property. It can be challenging to thwart the nimble, high-jumping deer, but it isn't impossible. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths about deer fencing, and in some cases, these myths can stop people from getting the right type of fencing. If you are thinking about installing deer fencing, here is a look at the truth behind four myths:

1. Myths: You need spikes on the top of the fence to keep deer out

In some cases, people think a foreboding looking fence will keep the deer out, and they may choose fencing with rolls of razor wire or metal spikes along its top. Unfortunately, this visual threat doesn't deter deer from jumping.

There are at least four species of deer in Australia, and they jump different heights, but a metre in a half is a rough estimate of their average jumping ability. If you have a fence that has spikes or razor wire along its top, the deer may try to jump the fence, fail and become impaled on the top.

This scenario isn't just cruel to the deer. It also creates extra work for you as you have to remove the carcass and clean the blood off your fence. Instead of a fence with a scary top, consider installing a tubular fence with safe rounded, semi-circular designs across the top.

2. Myth: Deer can jump any fence

Although deer can jump about a metre and a half without a running start, that doesn't mean they can jump any fence.  Once you have chosen a fence that isn't likely to stab jumping deer, you need to take other steps to ensure the deer cannot jump the fence.

To keep deer out, you can design a fence that is at least two metres tall, or you can design a fence with a slant, sometimes referred to as racking. For example, if you opt to install a tubular fence, you can work with the fence installer so it is slanted. Deer cannot jump high and wide at the same time.

3. Myth: Only barbed wire fences can be electrified

Rather than playing with angles or buying an excessively high fence, many people like to keep deer out with electrified wire. Traditionally, electrified wire is associated with barbed wire, but it certainly doesn't have to be.

You can have a sturdy, decorative fence like a tubular fence, and you can add electricity to it. In most cases, it is not the tubular parts of the fence that are electrified but rather a strand of electrified wire that gets added to the fence.

4. Myth: It is impossible to add gates to a deer-proof fence

Whether you opt for a slanted fence, an electrified fence or a super tall tubular fence, you may be wondering what you should do about your gate. You don't have to have a gate that matches the rest of your deer fence, and in many cases, you probably don't want an electrified gate or a slanted gate.

Instead, you can have any type of gate you like including one made from tubular panels. To keep the deer from jumping the gate, you simply add a deer grid. A deer grid or guard is a series of bars or tubes embedded into the ground. The bars are spaced in a way that the deer cannot walk over it without falling or getting their hooves stuck. If you have this type of grid in front of your gate, you can easily walk or drive over it, but the deer cannot.

For more information, contact a company like Adelaide Fence Centre.


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