How to Build a Deer Fence

PDF download Download Article
Protect your garden and yard with this handy, step-by-step guide
PDF download Download Article

Wild deer can cause a problem for gardeners by destroying plants and trees. And since deer tend to browse for food overnight, this can be difficult to prevent. Although you can use soap as a deer deterrent, a more effective preventative method is to build a deer fence. This forms a physical barrier which prevents the deer from entering your garden and causing damage. Fortunately, deer fences are fairly simple to erect.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Gathering the Right Materials

PDF download Download Article
  1. Deer tend to browse between dusk and dawn so it isn't always possible to see what’s causing damage in the garden. However, deer often leave a few telltale signs behind them, including:
    • Plant damage that has occurred overnight, particularly to shoots, flower buds, and foliage.
    • Tree bark that’s been eaten or damaged by deer rubbing their antlers against it.
  2. Use a measuring wheel or tape measure to determine this number. Be sure to account for the distance that is covered by obstacles, such as trees, hedges, and buildings. [1]
    • Space the perimeter about 3 to 5 feet (0.91 to 1.52 m) outward from the vulnerable area.
    Advertisement
  3. Fencing with 1.77 by 1.96 inch (4.5 cm × 5.0 cm) mesh holes will give you the most protection. However, 1.75 by 2 inch (4.4 cm × 5.1 cm) mesh also works. Add 10 percent extra to your final measurement to account for mistakes. To do so, multiply the final number by 1.1. For example, if the total linear footage is 100 feet (30 m), you need enough fencing to cover 110 feet (34 m).
    • Avoid 0.75 by 1 inch (1.9 cm × 2.5 cm) mesh fencing, which is designed for smaller animals.
  4. White-tailed deer have the ability to jump almost 8 feet (2.4 m) high, so fences need to either be just as tall or angled outward to compensate.
    • If your total linear footage (without the 10 percent extra) is 100 feet (30 m), divide this number by 15 to get the number of posts. In this case, you need 7 (6.66 rounded up).
    • Head to a home hardware store to purchase deer fence posts.
    • Slant your fence outward at a 45-degree angle for fences less than 8 feet (2.4 m) tall.
  5. Although 12-gauge wiring works, 8-gauge is the most reliable. To determine the amount of monofilament wire you need, multiply your total linear footage by 2. Afterward, purchase 7 to 8 self-locking ties per post. [2]
    • Although monofilament wire is not necessary, it's a nice addition to keep your fence taut and secure.
  6. Divide the total linear footage by 5 to determine the number of bottom ground stakes you need. For example, a 100 foot (30 m) fence requires 20 bottom ground stakes. Don't use the total linear footage with the 10 percent addition. [3]
    • Don't skip bottom ground stakes—they prevent deer from getting under the fence.
    7. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Putting in the Posts

PDF download Download Article
  1. Before driving your posts into the ground, place them flat on the ground around the perimeter. Each post should be an equal distance—15 feet (4.6 m)—away from each other. [4]
    • If you're short on posts, divide your total linear footage by 15 again and double-check that you purchased enough.
  2. You can purchase a post hole driver from home hardware stores. Hold each post vertically over the perimeter. Now, place the post hole driver on top of the post and grip it by the handles. Apply as much force as you can downward to drive the post into the ground. About 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) of each post should be exposed above the ground. [5]
    • Make sure each post is driven at least 1 foot (0.30 m) into the ground.
  3. If you don't have a post hole driver, hold each post vertically over the perimeter with your non-dominant hand. Now, place the side of a hammer or mallet to the top and drive it downward with a hammering motion. Afterward, about 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 m) of the posts should be visible above the ground. [6]
    • Be sure that your posts are at least 1 foot (0.30 m) into the ground.
    4. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Attaching the Fencing

PDF download Download Article
  1. Start by attaching your fence to the top of a post using a zip tie, but don't tie it tightly just yet. Now, do the same for the bottom, but tie it tightly. [7]
    • Be sure to leave about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) of fencing to account for hills and dips that can decrease when you stretch.
    • If you have any extra fencing, staple it flush to the ground.
  2. Feed the monofilament wire through the top tip—leaving 1 foot (0.30 m) extra to tie it to the post—and tighten the zip tie. Finally, tie the excess wiring around the post. [8]
    • Skip this step if you didn't purchase monofilament wiring.
  3. Move to the right or left down the perimeter and pull the fencing and monofilament wire along with you. Always attach the fencing to the top and bottom of the posts via zip ties, taking care to stretch them out straight so theirs is enough tension that they don't hang loose. Use monofilament wire to keep the top of the fencing straight and secure. [9]
    • If your fencing has "memory" and retains a curved shape, stretch it out 3 to 4 feet (0.91 to 1.22 m) and bend it into the opposite direction that it was rolled in.
  4. Attach the hooked end to the bottom of the fence—over the monofilament wire—and drive the kinked end into the ground with a hammer or rubber mallet. Be sure to attach each bottom ground stake about 5 feet (1.5 m) from each other. [10]
    • Always drive the kinked end of the stake into the ground—this prevents it from coming loose.
    5. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Things You'll Need

      • Measuring wheel or tape measure
      • Deer fencing
      • Ground stakes
      • Deer fence posts
      • Monofilament wire
      • Zip ties
      • Rubber mallet
      • Wire cutters
      • Post hole driver (optional)

      You Might Also Like

      Your Guide to Placing Fence Posts in the Ground
      How to
      Install an Electric Fence
      How to
      Install a Snow Fence
      How to
      Cement a Post in the Ground
      How to
      Build a Wood Fence
      How to
      Set-up a Chain Link Fence Yourself
      How to
      Make an Electric Fence
      How to
      Build Fence Panels
      How to
      Build a Ranch Style Fence
      How to
      Install Fencing
      How to
      Install a Vinyl Fence
      How to
      Build a Livestock Fence
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.dfw.state.or.us/wildlife/living_with/docs/deerelkfences.pdf
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/PrcOlJojUiw?t=80
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/PrcOlJojUiw?t=133
      4. ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/animals-and-wildlife/deer-fence-diy/
      5. ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/animals-and-wildlife/deer-fence-diy/
      6. ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/animals-and-wildlife/deer-fence-diy/
      7. ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/animals-and-wildlife/deer-fence-diy/
      8. ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/animals-and-wildlife/deer-fence-diy/
      9. ↑ https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/animals-and-wildlife/deer-fence-diy/
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=UUAKGM2N5dYkRFOIfOuDF2zw&time_continue=79&v=PrcOlJojUiw

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you need to build a deer fence around your garden, use deer fencing made of mesh that measures 1.77 x 1.96 inches. Drive a 6- to 8-foot post into the ground about every 15 feet along the perimeter of the fence, then tie the mesh to the posts with zip ties. Fasten 8-gauge monofilament wire along the top of the fence, tying it around each post along the way. To ensure the deer can’t get under the fence, drive bottom ground stakes into the bottom of the mesh every 5 feet. For tips on how to drive the posts for your fence, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 92,432 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement