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DEER FENCE INSTALLATION: FINISHING TOUCHES 4 FINISHING TOUCHES, CONTINUED Both polypropylene and metal hexagrid deer fences can deal reasonably effectively with minor deer paths–especially if they are strengthened to resist bottom penetration, direct assaults, and jumping in the area where the fence encounters the path. This is not true, however, of major deer paths, where the path is clearly marked and commonly flattened to bare ground. A new deer fence that crosses such a path will encounter so much deer pressure from deer accustomed to passing through that the fence is likely to need ongoing heavy maintenance, and if the fence is plastic the deer on various occasions are likely to break through. In such a situation it often pays to give the deer their path. Design your fence with an entrance where it intersects the deer path, and then build sections of the fence along both sides of the deer path until you reach the point where the path exits the protected area. It may not be necessary to follow all of the old path. Behind the entrance, it my be possible to divert the path in ways convenient to you. But simply blocking a major deer path invites trouble–even if one installs metal hexagrid fencing topped by a jumping barrier, puts an electric fence in front (see www.electric-deer-fence.com for suitable electric fence supplies), and supplements all this with items like the Scarecrow (see www.garden-pest-control.biz and click on the orange circle that says “water sprayers”) to temporarily divert the deer from their established path. Such a system may well succeed in blocking the deer temporarily; but it will also tend to generate heavy deer pressure, periodic problems, and high maintenance costs for a considerable period of time. |
McGregor Fence Co. 508-888-8305