Knowledgebase
double fence for deer #851579
Asked September 28, 2023, 7:28 PM EDT
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,
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,
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,