keeping deer out

[EddieJ]

We have a major deer problem, and now that the veg plot and garden are coming together, enough is enough and they need to be kept out.

What I can't decide upon, is whether to use plastic or wire netting. The site is quite sensitive, and I wish to kept the overall impact as low as possible. I have already planted a laurel hedge which will ultimately hide any fencing, but the dilemma is.... Plastic or wire?

[WrexTheDragon]

I have seen the green plastic mesh used and it looks good. I think it is OK for small deer, but you my need wire if they are large.

[Nicos]

We have two different farmers near here who breed deer for venison.
Their fields have wire mesh 10-12 ft high and in two rows about 15ft apart.
That's to make sure they stay in.
It's not security fencing to prevent theft as it'd be easy enough to cut through- so I suppose that's the max a deer could jump???

[Jardiniere]

electric...............................

[janeyo]

we have chainlink fencing and the muntjac bite right through it.

[TallGirl]

You could put up 7-foot high wire deer fence like for forestry, and train fruit trees up it?

[EddieJ]

electric...............................

Sadly that isn't a practical solution, as I have planted a laurel hedge, which I want to grow throw and hide any fencing on a more permanent basis.

we have chainlink fencing and the muntjac bite right through it.

That's quite incredible!

You could put up 7-foot high wire deer fence like for forestry, and train fruit trees up it?

I've seen some plastic deer fencing which I'm leaning towards, simply based on it having a low impact vision wise. Nice thoughts about the fruit tree, but sadly it wouldn't work, as the site isn't suitable.
The fence is to go along the road side and down the driveway as shown in the photo below. This part of the garden was my winter project, although it still remains unfinished!!

[Nicos]

Gosh- what a fantastic project!
Please let us see how it looks when the job is complete???!

Out of interest- that piccie looks like it's taken from very high up-is it from a tall building- or did you brave the top of a crane or something????

[TallGirl]

Wow, what a garden! But kind of shady for fruit trees. Woodland climbers instead then?

[janeyo]

That's quite incredible!

yup, they are pesistant little blighters. They don't get through in one night after repairs, it takes them a few weeks of gnawing. They can see all my lovely veg and it spurs them on! So it's a case of constant monitoring of the fencing really. They can also squeeeeeeeeeze themselves through the tiniest of holes too!

What you have there looks great, good luck x

[Nicos]

( we had a bunny rabbit chew its way into our lottie through chicken wire!!!- must have taken it a few days too though!)

Determind things aren't they???

[TallGirl]

If I suggested muntjac venison, would I get chucked out of the Wildlife forum?

[EddieJ]

Gosh- what a fantastic project!
Please let us see how it looks when the job is complete???!

Out of interest- that piccie looks like it's taken from very high up-is it from a tall building- or did you brave the top of a crane or something????

No crane, just a very tall house.

As for the project itself. The garden hadn't been touched for approx 20-30yrs so it needed a massive amount of clearing before I could even begin anything else. Doing all of the work myself sadly means that progress is a bit slow.

If I suggested muntjac venison, would I get chucked out of the Wildlife forum?

Not from me... After they came back in and ate half of the potatoe plants the night before last, anything is okay with me! I've now slung up some of that horrible orange temporary fencing until I can get something more permanent up.

[janeyo]

we have a muntjac in the freezer - it ran into the gate and died instantly.. so we are putting it to good use, at least I know it had an organic and free range diet on my broadies lol

[EddieJ]

we have a muntjac in the freezer - it ran into the gate and died instantly.. so we are putting it to good use, at least I know it had an organic and free range diet on my broadies lol

I suddenly feel very very hungry.