Deer safe fence

[NigelM]

I've got a new permission, about 300 acres. 50% woodland, some resident Roe, Muntjac and lots of transient Fallow. The owner is going to fence the whole lot off with a 1m fence, not to stop the deer but primarily to keep people out and his dogs in. There are no public footpaths through the property.

What design of fencing should I recommend in order to minimise deer getting strung up on it and what do I really want to push to avoid?

Thanks for the help.

 

[sikamalc]

Nothing with two strands of barbed wire about 4ft above the sheep fencing. That will end up with no end of Fallow fawns and roe hanging by their back legs.

 

[jall55]

I've got a new permission, about 300 acres. 50% woodland, some resident Roe, Muntjac and lots of transient Fallow. The owner is going to fence the whole lot off with a 1m fence, not to stop the deer but primarily to keep people out and his dogs in. There are no public footpaths through the property.

What design of fencing should I recommend in order to minimise deer getting strung up on it and what do I really want to push to avoid?

Thanks for the help.

Why not ask him to plant a hedge all the way round ? Far cheaper and once established far more effective at keeping people out !
If he wants he could fence and hedge together and then when the fence is on its way out the hedge will be grand

 

[Tim.243]

I've got a new permission, about 300 acres. 50% woodland, some resident Roe, Muntjac and lots of transient Fallow. The owner is going to fence the whole lot off with a 1m fence, not to stop the deer but primarily to keep people out and his dogs in. There are no public footpaths through the property.

What design of fencing should I recommend in order to minimise deer getting strung up on it and what do I really want to push to avoid?

Thanks for the help.

When ever you put up something will get caught up, Post and rail and otter wire on the inside.

 

[NigelM]

Thanks all. The hedge isn't going to fly. Most of it is in pretty dense woodland and it's unlikely to grow. Post and rail isn't going to keep the dogs in.

So sheep fencing is fine. Sheep fencing with a single strand of wire above (he will not use barbed) is mostly alright. Sheep fencing and 2 strands is definitely not.

Does that about sum it up?

 

[jall55]

Thanks all. The hedge isn't going to fly. Most of it is in pretty dense woodland and it's unlikely to grow. Post and rail isn't going to keep the dogs in.

So sheep fencing is fine. Sheep fencing with a single strand of wire above (he will not use barbed) is mostly alright. Sheep fencing and 2 strands is definitely not.

Does that about sum it up?

When i put sheep netting up - i put it upside down = so any birds / hares can get through

 

[Tim.243]

Thanks all. The hedge isn't going to fly. Most of it is in pretty dense woodland and it's unlikely to grow. Post and rail isn't going to keep the dogs in.

So sheep fencing is fine. Sheep fencing with a single strand of wire above (he will not use barbed) is mostly alright. Sheep fencing and 2 strands is definitely not.

Does that about sum it up?

You staple the otter wire to the inside of the post and rail but sounds like you have found what you need.
Temporary turkey fencing (Ask Paul Kelly Kellys Turkeys) Use a post and strainer with the wire that clips into the post like a gate latch. That stuff follows the contours of the land last for years.

 

[VSS]

So sheep fencing is fine. Sheep fencing with a single strand of wire above (he will not use barbed) is mostly alright. Sheep fencing and 2 strands is definitely not.

Does that about sum it up?

yep, that sounds about OK. Fences with two stands above are definitely the worst. Strangely, you can have one above and one below, so the fence is still the same overall height, and it will generally be OK. It seems to be the double top strand that catches them out, regardless of height.
If you can identify the places where deer currently cross the line of the fence then nail a rail between the two adjacent fence posts at those points. This will serve two purposes: Firstly, it makes it easier for the deer to see, and secondly it fills the gap between the top of the netting and the strand above, so less risk of leg captures.

 

[NigelM]

Thanks chaps. Just spoken with the owner who is changing his spec from double to single strand no barbs.

 

[Pete6.5]

I know a place with just sheep netting no wire at all at the top and it catches lots of deer as they jump it. Any new fence with sheep netting in will reduce the number of deer you shoot by some margin.

 

[User00038]

With just one strand of plain wire, say 6" above the top of the netting, a knotted stock netting, e.g. X-Fence (X Fence Stock Fence XHT8-80-15) or Tornado, will hold itself up much better that normal C8/80/15. Deer will go between the netting and the wire and end up pushing it down between the stakes with the normal stuff. Depending on his budget and aesthetic requirement, you might look at Clipex galvanized stakes. Likely to be much better in long run for maintenance in woodland.

 

[nun_hunter]

Thanks chaps. Just spoken with the owner who is changing his spec from double to single strand no barbs.

This will save your groin and trousers too! I'd taken for granted shooting one farm with no barbed wire at all when the farmer bought the neighbouring land all with barbed wire top strands

 

[VSS]

This will save your groin and trousers too! I'd taken for granted shooting one farm with no barbed wire at all when the farmer bought the neighbouring land all with barbed wire top strands

Climbing over fences (barbed or not) is a sure way to lose your permission.

 

[potshotpat]

Climbing over fences (barbed or not) is a sure way to lose your permission.

And your fertility.

 

[countrryboy]

If its only for dogs does it need the top strand of wire??

I've seen quite a few fallow hung up in just plain stock net with no barb or plain wire.
They seem to get legs wrapped round the top horizontal and the vertical.

Possibly instead of a standard 8/80/15 possibly go to a 8/80/30 or something ( the last number is the distance between vertical wires ie size of squares.
If there is an obvious der run dome rail would also help.
Jail55s idea of putting the net upside down is a good 1, u do also get 'game net' where all squares are the same size ( first number in the code is no of line wires, 8 standard, 5 would all be the same size

I have no idea if u cable tied a feed bag/shade cloth ( look a bit tidier) flat over the fence if it would help.
Say 6-8" down from top fold it over top and down again. Either cable tie or C clip on to fence.
When u watch the deer jump esp the fallow tend to kick there back legs out after there over and that's when they get tangled.
I
Personally not really a fan of clippex style fencing but might work well if it's going throu a woodland. I imagine no room for a tractor and chapper, with the steel waratah posts they could hand ball it a knock them in with a hand held petrol driver

 

[nun_hunter]

Climbing over fences (barbed or not) is a sure way to lose your permission.

I can step over most sheep fences, they're a tight fit and barbed wire does catch trousers no matter what but I'm not climbing them like rungs on a ladder and damaging them or stretching them!

 

[VSS]

I can step over most sheep fences, they're a tight fit and barbed wire does catch trousers no matter what but I'm not climbing them like rungs on a ladder and damaging them or stretching them!

You'd need an inside leg measurement of at least 42" to step over most sheep fences.

 

[landkeeper]

I've seen over here more and more roadside stock fencing with a black plastic strip approx4 in wide almost like damp proof strip fastened verticallyalong the top of the fence
I'd imagine that would act as a strong visual for jumping deer

 

[Terrydeer]

I would suggest the metal clipex stakes they are very good, with better quality mesh as countryboy suggests, as they are easy to install within woodland without machinery

 

[nun_hunter]

You'd need an inside leg measurement of at least 42" to step over most sheep fences.

Well I'm not that tall but I definitely manage it without damaging any fences round this way.