If you're considering putting up a 7 foot high fence, electricity probably
isn't required (unless the deer are truly starving in your area). I have
found that deer will go for the most easily available food. For example,
the deer in my area have demonstrated an ability to jump over 6 foot high
fences easily. However, my 6 ft fence around my veggie garden works well
since the deer like eating my neighbors easily accessible perennials more.

So, if you live in an area where there isnt much for them to eat (either
neighbors or wild), the fence will have to be higher.

Also, as noted in other posts, I have noticed that deer do tend to realize
when certain parcels are not choice buffets. I have three australian cattle
dogs. They don't run around all the time but they do enough so that the
deer don't like to come around. Again, they have no problems eating my
neighbors' tuplips to the ground. A low electric fence that happens to buzz
some deer might give them enough of a shock to convince them not to come
around again (But I have never tried this method).

Good luck!



"Phisherman" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 03 Apr 2003 16:41:43 GMT, Wayne wrote:

i have tried everything! now, i am ready to put up an electric fence
to keep them out. any advice would be greatly appreciated. how high
does an electric fence need to be? 4 feet? 6 feet? 8 feet? and
how far apart do the strands of wire need to be? 6"? 12"?

thanks in advance.

wayne

Four or five feet is good enough. We placed one wire 12" off the
ground and the another about 4' from the ground--that's it! The lower
one kept out the groundhogs. Use the longer plastic holders at the
corners. Use metal "T" stakes--the plastic holders snap onto them
very nicely.