Height of Deer Fence in Raleigh? (houses, neighborhood, construction)

[wake74]

My wife wants a couple of raised bed gardens for vegetables. Probably going to do 2 ea. 12"x2'x12' beds, with a path down the middle. We are in the Lake Wheeler area, and deer are a regular site in our backyard (got a neighbor feeding them I think). My online research say that deer fence construction varies a bit by geographic area of the county, so I'm posting here verses the general garden forum.

Can we get by with 5', (4' wire mesh on top of 1' raised bed) or are we better off going 7' tall? What are people doing locally for garden protection?

Thanks

Glenn

[hey_guy]

I think 5 is sufficient deer can jump tremendously I have seen them clear a variety of fences i don't feel a huge difference between five and seven

[carcrazy67]

I can tell you that 6' did not work for me!

[fvncresident04]

you have to go 8 or 10',and even at that height don't be surprised if one or two get in. They are less likely to jump over a fence if they cannot see the other side (pickets)

[RoaminRebel]

I have a 5' steel mesh horse fence and the adult deer can and do clear that.. I have seen examples of farmers trying to protect young fruit trees with a rolled wire fence. It will typically be 6' high at least. Any lower and the deer can crane his neck and eat all the young leaves off the tree.

[Caddyshack]

7 feet at least. Mine is 8 with about a foot going along the ground to keep them from going under. Got it from Benner's Gardens online.

I've heard you can do a shorter fence, like 4 feet or so, and then that fence has another fence outside it the same height about 4-6 feet apart.(not sure about that measurement, just google it) They claim the deer will not jump the first fence because they don't see a good place to land.

[Poggly Woggly]

Originally Posted by Caddyshack

7 feet at least.

I've heard you can do a shorter fence, like 4 feet or so, and then that fence has another fence outside it the same height about 4-6 feet apart.(not sure about that measurement, just google it) They claim the deer will not jump the first fence because they don't see a good place to land.

I hear this is the best method to keep deer out.

[luv4horses]

Deer, even young ones, scale my 5 ft horse fences all night long. I would use 8 ft if it were me.

[Caddyshack]

Originally Posted by Poggly Woggly

I hear this is the best method to keep deer out.

I've heard it works too, just don't know anyone who's tried it.

The only advantage I actually see to the 2 shorter fences is appearance. If you live in a neighborhood where the fence is visible you could make 2 fairly attractive fences that might pass muster with a HOA. I don't think there is a way to make a 7-8 foot fence look good. In my case, the property is completely wooded and near no other houses. The only place you can see the fence is coming in the driveway but it's not visible from the road.

The only deer that have made it in the yard were when trees fell on the fence and I didn't know about it. They've never jumped the fence.

[wake74]

Thanks everyone for the answers. Higher is better is the general consensus. I am in an HOA, but with a lower key vibe. The lot is a decent size, and this will be going near the rear, and pretty screened from the neighbors, so I don't think it will be an issue.