Knowledgebase

double fence for deer #851579

Asked September 28, 2023, 7:28 PM EDT

It appears that an effective, affordable non-electric barrier to keep deer out of an area is two parallel low fences spaced 4 or 5 feet apart, the theory being that deer cannot jump a wide barrier, and are afraid of getting trapped in a space they can't jump out of. On-line search shows many variations of design -- heights, space between, number and spacing of lines, etc. Has OSU done any research on double fences suitable for homeowners who do not want an electrified fence on the property?

Lane County Oregon

Expert Response

Hello Nola,

OSU has not done any research on fence designs for excluding deer.  Double fences do work for the purpose you have described.  Both fences should be 5 feet tall and placed 4 to 5 feet apart.  The wires on the outside fence need to start at about 6 inches above the ground and should be 6 to 8 inches apart for the first three feet and then 12 inches apart after that.  The wires on the inside fence can be 12 inches apart. 

I have never been a fan of the 2 fence design unless there is some reason that a single 7 foot fence would not work.  The double fence design requires twice as many poles and more wire.  They also take a substantial amount of your property between the fences out of use.  I prefer a 7-foot fence with a 3 or 4 foot wire mesh or plastic mesh panel on the bottom and single strand wire every foot above the mesh panel.

Good luck,


Dan Edge Replied September 29, 2023, 5:24 PM EDT
Thank you for your prompt reply.. I'm sure you hear from plenty of gardeners dealing with the invasion of deer that have been driven into their yards by the loss of habitat. Given I have adequate space and an existing lower fence, I will try adding the second fence rather than trying to install 7 or 8 foot t-posts in my rocky soil. 


Nola Nelson


On Friday, September 29, 2023 at 02:25:00 PM PDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied November 02, 2023, 1:07 PM EDT

Hello Nola,

I fully understand the deer issue from a personal standpoint.  I used to joke that my solution to the deer problem was to have so much (ornamental plantings) that I don't notice when the deer get some.  Well, this year was different and they got a lot more than some.  I will work on a solution for next year--probably will use individual cages around the plants that they really liked.  We have always had a 7-foot fence around our vegetable garden, so my wife's efforts are protected.

Good luck,


Dan Edge Replied November 02, 2023, 2:27 PM EDT
Thank you for the follow up. If you are interested, here is my situation and some results of my trench warfare.

My property is the remnant of an old homestead on the edge of Cottage Grove, about 1 acre, with the back portion used for orchard and vegetables, and the remainder a mix of vintage ornamentals and native plants (oak forest) that I have been trying to revive. The Coast Fork of the Willamette is across the road. For years, deer would pass through and only bother my veggie patch and roses, but the drought seems to have driven them to extremes. They eat absolutely everything except things like ivy and holly, and have created permanent beds in the orchard. I think our succulent suburbs have created a domesticated white-tailed deer, much like dogs evolving from wolves! No usual deterrents bother them, and even "deer proof" plants were wiped out. I knew I had to take action when I watched them nibbling the zinnias and coreopsis and barely flinching when I tried to chase them away. Overall, I am trying to discourage a herd of about six deer and their fawns that have become too tame.

My solutions so far, using materials on hand or cheap to purchase and install:

1. The back of the lot had a 4-foot wire stock fence on the outer boundaries. When I cobbled together an extension topped with wire, they crashed through it if there was room for a running start. That is when I set up the double fence, adding a simple interior row of 4-foot step-in posts with salvaged plastic safety fencing. Even the randy bucks stop, unwilling to jump into the 5-foot space between fences.

2. Between the orchard and the yard, I built another lightweight double fence. This time, the outer one was the same 4-foot step in-posts with two rows of dollar store clothes lines. The second used 5-foot t posts extended with bamboo,  with 4- foot green plastic landscape fencing on the bottom and topped with 3 rows of clothes line spaced about a foot apart. Deer may nose under the shorter barricade, but search in vain for a way to get past the second one in spite of its flimsiness.

3. Switching to new materials, I installed 7-foot Tenax deer fencing on Tenax's extendable 8-foot steel  poles to block the routes and beds they favor on the side of the house. It is practically invisible from the house or street, but the deer do not challenge it. (I have it flagged with white tape until the rutting season is over.)

4. The front yard is still open. Working around river rock results in posts staggering hither and yon unless you hire a pro with heavy equipment: That's ok in the orchard, but not by the street. Tall, stout fencing wouldn't be appropriate for my historic house, either. Also, I don't want to deal with a gate across the driveway. My only concern with the front yard is an expanse of camas and other tender natives that got eaten the last two years, so I will just lay bird mesh over sensitive areas in the spring. 

I hope that redirecting their established paths, protecting the majority of their food, and restricting their lounging to spaces near the busy street will discourage this urban herd.  As an OSU alum (chemistry, 1969), I'm thinking this would be a dandy research project for a grad student.


Nola Nelson



On Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 11:27:40 AM PDT, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied November 08, 2023, 1:41 PM EST

Hello Nola,

Thank you for sharing your fence designs.  It appears you have come up with some innovative and low cost ways to implement a double fence.  I will share your designs with our Extension Wildlife Specialist, who is typically the one who responds to these messages.  She is on sabbatical leave, which is why I am responding.  She may wish to look for funding to conduct the research.  However, I am not optimistic about her ability to find funds.  Wildlife Services (a branch of USDA) does animal damage management research on very limited funding.  The only other sources of animal damage management funds are directed towards critical issues like wolves.

It is a common misconception that we have graduate students looking for a project.  Graduate students are accepted into our program only after a faculty member has received a grant to fund a particular project.  Those grants fund a stipend and tuition for a minimum of two years plus other costs associated with the particular project (travel, supplies, salaries for technicians, etc.).

All the best and enjoy the change of seasons.

Regards,


Dan Edge Replied November 09, 2023, 6:52 PM EST

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