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Deer Fence - Critterfence Deer Fencing

Deer Fence Rolls & Parts

This page explains deer fences and will compare different deer fence kits. Don't need a complete deer fence with posts? Here are three quick links to take you directly to fence rolls and other parts:

Deer Fence Comparison

Deer fencing is a type of fence, sometimes called deer netting or deer fence, which is engineered to exclude or contain deer and or elk and can be poly or metal. Typical applications include:

  • Preventing deer browsing (surrounding bushes for example like arborvitae)
  • Surrounding a small area like a garden where deer can travel all the way around
  • Creating backyard area (starting at a house, going into a backyard area, then back to the house again)
  • Surrounding the complete perimeter of an area (along a complete property line) – this can include wide driveway gates to protect driveways or deer grates (concrete or metal slatted fixtures inset into a driveway that deer don't jump or step over, similar to cattle grates)

A deer fence kit is a selection of fencing, fence posts, accessories and hardware to build a complete deer fence to keep out deer starting from nothing.

Most of our deer fences are actual physical fences (not solely electric and cannot fail due to broken wires, dead batteries, etc). They are engineered to keep out many different animals besides deer, depending on the options you choose. They also make great pet fences to keep in dogs and with special no climb hardware, cats and other climbing animals. This type of deer fencing has been refined year after year with changes made via feedback from our customers and installers in the field. There is a lot of information out there cited from authoritative sources, for example from Clemson University: Managing Deer Damage - although the idea is good, helping farmers protect their crops, the way in which they suggest doesn't work well in our experience (a two tiered fence system). In fact, we have sold and they have installed our own fence system to Clemson here in South Carolina for deer exclusion. 

There are 1000+ fence kits, combinations and options within each of these types of deer fences. They can be constructed using all metal deer fence, a combination of metal and poly deer fencing or all poly deer fencing. Poly deer fence is strong and lightweight but does not offer protection against small chewing animals (like rabbits) it's best paired with a smaller opening size metal chew barrier if those smaller animals are a concern.

The purpose of this page is to help you choose deer fence and compare deer fencing choices to best select the fence you need for your project, to keep deer out. 

We also have a dedicated website just for this type of fencing for deer with similar but more targeted information, deerfencing.com: deer fence

In general, most deer fence customers select:

  • A deer fence with overlap. This type of deer fence includes extra fencing overlapped and staked to the ground to the outside of the area. This acts as a dig deterrent and covers small ups and downs in your landscape deer can use for entry. Deer will use their noses to try and push up the base of a fence or believe it or not slide under sideways. This type of deer fence with overlap can be one piece (for example an 8 foot roll of deer fence installed at 7 ½ foot above ground leaves you 6 inches of extra fence to overlap) or an extra separate layer of smaller opening size metal bottom fence (1x1 keeps out rabbits for example, 1/2x1/2 keeps out large snakes).
  • A poly deer fence or poly deer fence with a chew barrier base. Deer don’t chew and poly fence has properties that make it a great deer fence. Poly deer fence doesn’t have memory (if it’s hit it returns to it’s original shape unlike metal that once bent stays bent). Poly deer fence is also lightweight, very strong and inexpensive. The most popular type of deer fence is a poly deer fence paired with a smaller opening size steel chew barrier base to exclude other animals like rabbits and groundhogs.
  • A 7 ½ foot deer fence. The minimum suggested height for small garden areas up to 100 linear feet is 6 feet. Other areas: 7 to 7 ½ feet for areas up to 500 linear feet and 8 feet or taller for areas over 500 linear feet. This is a general guide and not a rule please use your own judgement. For example, if you are wrapping bushes like arborvitae to prevent deer damage, 6 feet tall will work for any footage length. In general the less space deer have to be able to jump inside an area, the shorter the deer fence can be – they are less likely to try and jump inside a 25x25 area than a 300 foot perimeter fence. The deer fence trend is to enclose an entire area as opposed to encircling specific garden areas with deer fence because it can be more cost effective.

Shop Deer Fence Types - Compare our deer fence kits separated by type:

Deer Fence Kits With Rodent Barrier (MOST POPULAR) (Two Layers Of Fence) This is the most popular type of deer fence. These kits consist of poly deer fencing (in all different heights and strengths) or steel with some smaller opening size steel fencing (in different heights, strengths and opening sizes). The purpose of these fence kits is to not only exclude large animals like deer (poly fence is great for deer) but also small animals like rabbits, groundhogs, snakes, etc.

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Deer Fence Kits With OverlapPoly or steel fence kits that include a minimum of 6" of overlap to pin to the ground. Great for all types of non-chewing animals like deer that can also try and push up under a fence with their noses. Also can be removable or permanent.

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Deer Fence Kits Without Rodent Barrier Or OverlapThese fence kits don't include a rodent barrier and don't overlap on the ground. That means for example if you order a 8 foot fence kit, we will ship you posts that come out of the ground 8 feet and 8 tall deer fence to be hung on those posts. This configuration is great for customers protecting arborvitae or other shrubs, for example. It's also a great choice for customers that need to take down their fence seasonally or for a removable deer fence. Our post sleeve system includes locking set screws which hold our deer fence posts in the ground. Ground sleeves stay in the ground, while posts and fencing are removed for storage.

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Deer Fence Kits With Angled Climb ProtectionThese are specially designed fence kits that include protection against climbing animals (keeps animas in, keeps animals out or keeps animals both ways in and out). The posts in these kits include extensions on the top of each post; when paired with included fencing, these extensions make an overhead canopy that animals can't climb over. These kits can include overlap on the ground and also a rodent barrier. They are most often used by customers that want to keep their cats in and other animals out but are also used for keeping out raccoons and coyotes.

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Deer Fence Kits With Four Sides And a TopThese deer fence kits consist of all 1" opening size or smaller fencing and are engineered to exclude most animals including birds. These kits are great for customers that want to grow anything that is normally eaten by birds, such as berries, or climbing animals like raccoons. These fence kits are specific in size and can cover smaller areas because of their modular design.

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Deer Fence Retrofit Kits - Make Your Existing Fence HigherHave a shorter fence you would like to extend up higher? These fence kits make it easy to convert your existing conventional fence to an effective deer fence. For example, extensions to increase the height of your chain link fence, wood fence, aluminum fence to deer proof your yard.

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Deer Fence Information

how to successfully use deer fencing to build a deer fence
how to successfully use deer fencing to build a deer fence

There are many different deer fence options on the market. If you have a need to create a fence to keep deer from an area, our fence is for you.

Here’s why:

  • Our deer fencing is effective but nearly invisible from a distance. It's engineered to be as invisible as possible, to blend in with your existing landscape. This is very important; deer don’t have great eyesight and have trouble judging height. The less visible the fence the less likely deer will try and jump it. A good example of a bad deer fence, for example, is a chain link fence with a top rail. The very visible top bar on a chain link fence is a great jumping benchmark for deer to clear.
  • Mostly NON-ELECTRIC, no wires to break, no parts to fail over time. A real actual physical barrier to keep deer out.
  • Our deer fences are very customizable. Choose the right strength, height, chew resistance, opening size and more for your project. This includes deer fence gates from 3 feet wide to 24 feet wide, thicker corner posts/end posts if applicable, tensioning for your deer fence and more. We offer the largest selection of deer fence products on the market.
  • Renting? Need a temporary deer fence or seasonal deer fence? All of our deer fences with ground sleeves can be installed permanently or made removable if needed. Use included locking set screws to release our fence posts. A good example would be installing a fence for the growing season then taking it down after the season is over, or installing a temporary winter deer fence to protect trees and shrubs. During the winter deer will eat plants they don’t normally eat because of lack of food.
  • We make our deer fences quick and easy to install. Using ground sleeves for regular posts and gates and large ground sleeves for corner posts and driveway gates no concrete footings are needed. Posts are secured with a locking set screw inside each sleeve. Large areas can be installed in a fraction of the time it would take for conventional fencing. Most customers install this type of fence themselves without contractors.
  • It's our product shipped directly from our coast to coast warehouses directly to you - no middlemen or drop shipping from 3rd party sources that has become more common over time.
  • Our company - since 1992 we have been providing this product and service to municipalities, universities, landscapers, farmers, homeowners and more. Over time we have innovated this deer fence system with proprietary patent pending design and technology to provide you with the best possible fence to keep deer in or out. 

Deer Fence Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best deer fence?
The best type of deer fence is strong enough to repel deer without hurting deer or getting deer caught in the fence. This is usually poly or metal fence with a 2 inch or smaller opening size.
How do I build a deer fence?
Deer fences are made of support posts, rolls of fencing material and hardware. Ground sleeves are first driven into the ground with a sledge hammer, posts then slide in the ground sleeves and secure with locking set screws. Fencing material is either attached to the posts directly with fence ties or attached to tension cable which offers additional support. Deer fences can be buried at the bottom of the fence or overlapped and pinned to the ground with stakes to prevent deer from pushing up under the fence.
Will a deer fence keep out ticks?
Yes. Research has shown that by excluding deer from an area you also exclude the ticks carried by deer. Studies have shown the amount of ticks (and the diseases they carry) is reduced by 90% over time.
What is the easiest deer fence to install?
The easiest deer fence to install uses ground sleeves. Ground sleeves are first driven into the ground with a sledge hammer, posts then slide in the ground sleeves and secured with a locking set screw. The posts can be permanent or removable. Deer fences with tensioning are not removable. Its easier to remove a deer fence without overlap, than one with overlap.
What is deer fence made out of?

Deer fence is usually made out of black polypropylene plastic or black PVC coated galvanized steel. Here’s some information on each:

Critterfence deer fence side by side comparison
  • Polypropylene plastic deer fence: Small opening size 3/4"-1" to larger 2" opening size carbon black fence mesh is available in different opening sizes and strengths. This mesh is black to inhibit breakdown from UV rays and different types of this mesh will have different longevity outdoors in sunlight; as little as 3 years to as much as 25 years. It can consist of all virgin polypropylene or a small percentage of recycled material. The black color also makes this mesh not very visible. This type of deer fence does not rust with water or salt water exposure. The smaller opening size mesh is usually not very strong and designed to be draped over vegetation as opposed to a physical barrier type of fence. The larger 1 3/4 to 2" opening size can be used as a physical barrier and can range from 400 pounds of breaking strength per square foot up to 1400 pounds of breaking strength per square foot. The higher strength versions of this poly deer fencing can repel any size deer running at any speed.
  • Metal deer fence: Small to large opening size wire fence of various thicknesses and strengths. This wire fence can be welded or woven. Woven wire is bent into shapes by a machine and can be knotted like traditional field fence or twisted like traditional hex type mesh (chicken wire). Metal deer fence can be plain galvanized or galvanized painted black or galvanized then black vinyl coated. Galvanization can be before weaving or welding or after welding or weaving (in galvanized after welding/weaving the welded joints are also covered with zinc for the best rust resistance). Some more common knotted metal deer fence is graduated with smaller opening size 2"x4" wire spacing at the bottom to larger 4" opening size wire spacing at the top. This wire fence and other large opening size wire fence can trap deer that run into the fence causing injury or death. Two inch opening size or smaller wire deer fence is much less likely to harm deer and just as effective. The black vinyl coated versions of this metal deer fence are also not very visible like black polypropylene deer fencing. It is not rust proof like polypropylene but can last from 5 years to 25 years depending on the type of coatings. Metal deer fence is very strong and can range from 800 pounds of breaking strength for the woven wire hex (chicken wire) types to over 2000 pounds of breaking strength per square foot for some of the welded wire types. 1"x1" metal or smaller can also be used as a chew barrier or rodent barrier at the base of a poly deer fence. 
How tall does a deer fence need to be?

A deer fence needs to be 6 to 10 feet tall. This deer fence height depends on different factors such as the length of the deer fence and the amount of deer pressure in the area where the fence is installed.

  • 6 feet tall for small areas that deer can walk around (a 25ft by 25ft garden for example) is typical. Deer are less likely to jump inside a closed space. 6ft is also tall enough to prevent deer from eating shrubs and trees like arborvitae.
  • 7 1/2 feet tall for most areas including backyards and perimeter fences (perimeter fences surround an entire property including a gate or deer grate for a driveway entrance).
  • 8 feet tall for large areas, areas with established deer paths or areas protecting something that deer are very attracted to (food sources)
  • 10 feet tall for customers raising deer (for deer containment)

Note: along with the proper height of a deer fence, you also need to make sure you are using the proper strength deer fencing and the right type of deer fencing. If you install a deer fence that is very visible - deer will be able to judge the height of the fence and then try and jump it.

How strong does a deer fence need to be?

A deer fence needs to be 650 pounds of breaking strength to 1400 pounds of breaking strength or more depending on your application. The strength of a deer fence is determined by taking a one foot by one foot sample of fence material and pulling it on a calibrated machine with clamps that run along the full top of and bottom of the sample until it breaks. The below numbers offer general guidelines:

  • For smaller areas or areas blocking off deer from browsing: deer fencing with a minimum strength of 400 pounds of breaking strength per square foot or more is recommended. This includes deer fencing to be draped over shrubs and plants. This material can be broken by hand.
  • For areas up to 350 linear feet in length: deer fencing with a minimum strength of 650 pounds of breaking strength per square foot or more is recommended.
  • For areas 350 linear feet or longer: deer fencing with a minimum strength of 750 pounds of breaking strength per square foot or more is recommended. Cannot be broken by hand.
  • For areas 1000 linear feet or longer: deer fencing with a minimum strength of 950 pounds of breaking strength per square foot or more is recommended. Cannot be broken by hand.

In general, deer fencing with a breaking strength of 950 pounds or more can repel any size deer running at any speed. This usually happens when deer run into a fence by accident; for example, it's less likely a deer will run into a small 25x25 garden than a 2000 linear foot perimeter fence. The longer the deer fence, the stronger it should be.

What is deer netting?
Deer netting is another term for deer fence typically referring to lightweight polypropylene deer fencing. This lightweight deer netting sometimes has 3/4" x 3/4" opening size and is also marketed as bird netting. This lightweight mesh is best used for draping over plants to protect them from deer browsing and is not suitable for a perimeter deer fence or yard deer fence.
What is a wireless deer fence?
Wireless deer fence is a electronic device designed to be baited with food or an attractant with the intent of shocking deer to scare them away. These devices can be easy to install but less effective than a permanent deer fence.
What is an electric deer fence?
Electric deer fence is a fence consisting of electrically charged wires with the intent of shocking deer to scare them away. This type of electric fence can be more expensive than conventional deer fence and more difficult to install & maintain. Wild animals like deer are likely to run into strands of electric deer fence by accident; once the strands are broken the electric fence system is down and needs to be repaired. Electric fence is great for domestic farm animals like goats for example. You can bring a goat up to an electric fence to shock them once and they will never go up to that electric fence again. Wild animals are different; a traditional (not electric) deer fence is recommended for wild animals.
Can deer crawl under a fence?
Deer can without a doubt crawl under a fence! This is a little known fact. Deer can use their noses to pry up the bottom of an unsecured deer fence. They can also lie down and slide under a fence. There are specially made ground stakes to pin a fence bottom to the ground. These stakes are usually made of thick wire steel or rebar steel and shaped like a candy cane. Some have bent kinked shafts making the stakes more difficult to remove once installed. They range in length from 12" long to 18" long and vary in thickness. Deer fence stakes are usually spaced one every three to four feet depending on deer pressure. The longer smooth shaft stakes are recommended for loose sandy soil. The kinked deer fence stakes are used most everywhere else.
How much does deer fence cost?
Deer fence will range in price from $1 a foot to $10 a foot or more depending on the width and type of deer fence and if you are purchasing rolls of deer fence only or a complete deer fence kit. Rolls of polypropylene deer fence cost less than all metal deer fence.
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