Deer Fence Systems

The best deer fence is strong enough to stop deer reliably without injuring them or allowing them to become entangled. A poly or metal fence with a 2-inch or smaller mesh opening is the standard recommendation. Beyond mesh size, the best deer fence depends on three key variables:

• Height: At least 7½ feet for most residential and agricultural applications. See the next section for full height guidance by application.
• Strength: A minimum of 650 lbs breaking strength per square foot for areas up to 350 linear feet; 950 lbs or more for larger perimeters. Deer occasionally run into fences at full speed, so strength matters.
• Bottom security: Deer can slide under unsecured fences. The best setups include either a 6” ground overlap staked down, or a separate chew-barrier layer at the base to prevent deer (and small animals) from pushing underneath.

For most applications the most popular choice is a poly deer fence paired with a small-opening steel chew barrier at the base — it keeps out deer, rabbits, and groundhogs in one system. Poly’s natural flexibility means it won’t retain dents or deformation the way metal can, which is an added advantage for high-traffic areas.

A deer fence needs to be 6 to 10 feet tall. The right height depends on perimeter length and deer pressure in your area:

• 6 feet for small enclosed areas (e.g., a 25’×25’ garden) that deer can walk around. Deer are less likely to jump into a tight closed space, and 6’ is also sufficient to protect individual shrubs and trees like arborvitae.
• 7½ feet for most backyards and perimeter fences up to 500 linear feet — the standard recommendation for residential properties.
• 8 feet for large areas, established deer paths, or areas protecting high-value food sources like orchards and vegetable crops.
• 10 feet for deer containment (customers raising deer).

Keep in mind: if your fence is highly visible, deer can judge its height and may attempt to jump it. A low-visibility black fence reduces the likelihood of deer trying to clear it. In general, the smaller the enclosed area, the shorter the fence can be — deer are far less likely to jump into a confined 25’×25’ space than over a 300-foot perimeter fence.

There are 1000+ fence kits, combinations and options within each type of deer fence. They can be constructed using all metal deer fence, a combination of metal and poly deer fencing, or all poly deer fencing.

Poly deer fence is strong and lightweight but does not offer protection against small chewing animals like rabbits — it’s best paired with a smaller opening size metal chew barrier base if those smaller animals are a concern.

Our most popular deer fencing options include fence with overlap (staked outward as a dig deterrent), a poly fence with chew barrier base (for rabbit and groundhog exclusion), and 7½ foot height for the majority of residential and agricultural installations.

Deer fences are made of support posts, rolls of fencing material, and hardware. Our installation system is designed for DIY builders and can cover large areas quickly — often without a contractor. The basic steps:

1. Drive ground sleeves into the soil at post locations using a sledge hammer. Ground sleeves remain in the ground permanently and can accept removable or permanent posts.
2. Insert posts into the ground sleeves and secure with locking set screws. Posts can be removed seasonally for storage; just leave the sleeves in place.
3. Attach fencing to the posts directly with fence ties, or to a tension cable strung between posts for additional support on long runs.
4. Secure the bottom by either burying the fence base or overlapping it outward and pinning it flat to the ground with stakes — this prevents deer from pushing up under the fence. Use kinked-wire fence stakes in standard soil, or long smooth-shaft stakes for loose sandy soil.

Fences with tensioning cables are not designed to be removable. It’s easier to remove a fence without overlap than one with overlap.

Important: Deer can and do crawl under unsecured fence bottoms — they use their noses to pry up the base or simply lie down and slide under. Always secure the bottom.

Critterfence deer fencing provides a durable and versatile solution for keeping deer out while maintaining a natural landscape appearance. Our fences are specifically designed to be as discreet as possible, minimizing visibility to prevent deer from trying to jump over them. Here’s what sets our deer fences apart:

• Non-Electric, Reliable Barrier: Our deer fences are entirely physical, with no electric components that can fail due to broken wires or dead batteries. This ensures a consistent and dependable barrier to keep deer out of your protected areas.
• Customizable Options for Every Need: Whether you require a strong, high-tensile fence or a lightweight, temporary barrier, Critterfence offers the most extensive selection of deer fencing products. You can choose the right combination of fence strength, height, chew resistance, and mesh opening size. We provide a variety of gate sizes from 3 feet to 24 feet wide, and options for thicker corner and end posts if needed.
• Ideal for Permanent or Seasonal Use: Our deer fencing can be installed permanently or made removable using ground sleeves, making it perfect for various applications including seasonal setups. Set up a temporary fence to protect gardens during the growing season, or safeguard trees and shrubs in winter when deer are more likely to seek out alternative food sources.
• Effortless Installation Process: Designed for easy DIY installation, our fencing systems use ground sleeves to secure posts without requiring concrete footings. Simply drive the ground sleeves into the soil, slide the posts in, and lock them with set screws. Large areas can be enclosed quickly, often without the need for contractors.
• Direct Shipping from Our Warehouses: Unlike companies that rely on drop shipping from third parties, Critterfence ships all products directly from our coast-to-coast warehouses — ensuring quick and reliable delivery with no middlemen involved.

Since 1992, Critterfence has provided high-quality deer fencing solutions to municipalities, universities, landscapers, farmers, and homeowners. We continually improve our products based on feedback and field testing, incorporating proprietary, patent-pending technology to deliver the best deer exclusion solutions available. With our fencing, you get a combination of strength, versatility, and ease of installation — making Critterfence the go-to choice for deer fencing projects.