Deer are loved by many. Many do not always include us, from whom they pillage. Deer, like most other natural critters, love plants. We, as homeowners, gardeners, and omnivores, love plants as well. That may be for food or decoration. That puts us in a conflict of interest; even though we enjoy seeing deer, they are incredibly detrimental to the plants. The remedy, a deer fence! But we don’t want a privacy wall, so what to do?
But what if you don’t want a giant privacy wall in your yard? What if you want to keep the deer out while still enjoying your view? In the spirit of previous posts, we needed to learn to make something work rather than keep buying detternts.
How High Can Deer Jump?
Deer are surprisingly athletic, and most adult deer can easily jump a 6-foot fence. If they’re motivated (and the landing area is safe), some can clear heights up to 8 feet according to the NCWRC. Deer usually will not jump a 6-foot fence, but they can clear an 8-foot fence on level ground if properly motivated. Because of this ability, a 7- to 8-foot fence is generally recommended.
The problem?
Lumber is expensive, tall fences can block your view, and building something that high takes time, effort, and money. Also, once built, maintenance of wood fences, especially in wetter climates, is problematic.
A Simpler, Cheaper Solution: The Invisible Deer Fence
There’s an alternative that works beautifully for most gardens and smaller landscapes: an invisible deer fence made from 8-foot garden stakes and heavy-duty fishing line.
Here’s how it works:
- Use 8-foot garden stakes (metal or other high-strength types) spaced 8–10 feet apart around the perimeter of the area you want to protect.
- String 300-lb test clear fishing line around the stakes at two or three different heights — typically 2 feet, 4 feet, and 6 feet off the ground.
- Place the fence 2–3 feet away from the plants or garden beds the deer want to eat.
Because the fishing line is nearly invisible, the deer can’t see it. When they walk into it or try to push through, the line confuses them. They can feel the barrier but can’t understand what’s stopping them. That’s usually enough to deter them entirely.
Why It Works
Deer rely heavily on both sight and hearing for their depth perception and caution. Because their eyes are on the side of their head, their depth perception isn’t great. They don’t like entering areas where they can’t clearly see boundaries or escape routes. The invisible barrier triggers that natural wariness. After one or two attempts, most deer decide it’s not worth the effort and move on.
Benefits of a Fishing Line Deer Fence
- Inexpensive: Costs a fraction of traditional wood or wire fencing.
- Unobtrusive: Keeps your view open and your yard looking natural.
- Easy to maintain: If a line breaks, it’s quick to repair or replace.
- Versatile: Works well around trees, vegetable gardens, and ornamental beds.
- Greener: Fewer materials needed
The Drawbacks
We’re the first to say this type of fence is not perfect. This setup won’t necessarily keep deer off your entire property; it will only keep them out of the specific areas you fence in. For many homeowners, that’s actually a plus — deer can still roam through, but your favorite plants stay safe.
It is also not a barrier to those other pesky critters we love and hate: squirrels, rabbits, etc. This style of fence is designed to create a perimeter around areas such as raised beds, ornamental shrubs, and even trees.
This type of barrier works best when we have select blocks or strips of land to protect. For example, it isn’t going to stop a ravenous herd that has no other food source than your large-scale commercial orchard.
Wrapping Up
You don’t need to sacrifice your view or your budget to keep deer out of your garden. With a few garden stakes, strong fishing line, and some simple planning, you can create a nearly invisible barrier that protects your plants while keeping your landscape open and natural.
A deer fence doesn’t have to be a wall. Sometimes, the best defense is the one you can’t even see.
