Deer Fence Basics & Height

Not every property needs an 8-foot deer fence. The right fence height depends on your landscape, terrain, and the area you want to protect. With decades of hands-on deer fence installation experience, we've learned what works in different situations. Here, we answer some of the most common questions about deer fence height, materials, and keeping deer out of your property.

  • One of the most common things we hear from customers is that they need an 8-foot deer fence. But that's not always the case. Depending on the property, a 6- or 7-foot fence may actually be a better choice.

    When helping customers choose a fence height, we consider the terrain, surrounding trees and landscaping, and how much room deer have to approach the fence and land on the other side.

    Here's what we generally recommend:

    • 8-foot deer fencing: Best for wide-open lawns, fields, orchards, and relatively flat properties where deer have clear visibility and plenty of room to jump.

    • 7-foot deer fencing: An excellent option for wooded properties, landscaped yards, and areas with uneven terrain.

    • 5- to 6-foot deer fencing: Often effective for smaller garden enclosures with approximately 100–150 linear feet of perimeter fencing or less. Shorter fences may also work on properties with steep slopes or challenging terrain.

    Something else we explain to customers is that taller isn't necessarily better. As fence height increases, the fence becomes less rigid, may require closer post spacing, costs more in materials, and can be more difficult to maintain.

    Deer don't have the same depth perception and visual acuity that humans do. When a fence blends into its surroundings and deer can't easily judge its height or the landing area on the other side, they're often reluctant to attempt a jump.

    Our goal is to help you choose the right fence for your property, not simply sell you the tallest one.

    For smaller enclosures, explore our Garden Fencing options.

  • Both metal welded wire and polypropylene deer fencing can do an excellent job of keeping deer out when installed properly. However, based on our installation experience, we generally prefer metal welded wire for its strength, rigidity, and long-term durability.

    Polypropylene deer fencing is lightweight, economical, easy to repair, and blends into wooded or landscaped surroundings. It's an excellent option for larger enclosures, especially when budget is a priority. Because smaller animals can chew through it, we often recommend adding a metal chew guard along the bottom.

    Metal welded wire fencing provides a stronger, more rigid barrier with a clean, low-visibility appearance. It's harder for animals to damage and is particularly well suited for homeowners who want to keep deer out and dogs in, or protect vegetable gardens.

    Metal fencing generally costs more upfront and requires a little more effort to install. However, we've seen fewer breaches with properly installed welded wire, and we consider it a worthwhile long-term investment for many properties.

    That doesn't mean everyone needs metal fencing. We regularly recommend polypropylene when it's the better fit for the property and budget.

    Learn more: Metal Deer Fencing | Poly Deer Fencing

  • Yes, deer can jump over a 6-foot fence. But just because they can doesn't mean they will.

    Deer are generally more willing to jump when they have a clear approach and can see where they're going to land. That's why a 6-foot fence in a wide-open field presents a different challenge than one surrounding a small garden.

    We've found that 6-foot fencing can work very well for smaller enclosures, particularly when surrounding landscaping or terrain makes jumping less appealing.

    For larger, open properties, we typically recommend a taller fence. But for smaller gardens and certain wooded or landscaped areas, 6 feet may be all you need.

  • Yes. A properly installed 7-foot deer fence can be an excellent choice for many residential properties, particularly wooded or landscaped yards.

    Trees, shrubs, slopes, and other natural obstacles can make deer less comfortable attempting to jump a fence. That's why we frequently recommend 7-foot fencing for these environments.

    A 7-foot fence also offers practical advantages over an 8-foot fence. It's generally more rigid, easier to install and maintain, and less expensive.

    If your property is mostly open lawn or field with clear jumping and landing areas, we'd be more inclined to recommend 8 feet.

    But for many homeowners, 7-foot fencing provides an excellent balance of protection, appearance, and cost.

  • No. You don't have to fence your entire property, but you do need to completely enclose the area you want to protect.

    Some customers fence several acres, while others only need to protect a vegetable garden, backyard, or landscaped area around their home.

    We occasionally get questions about installing fencing along just one side of a property to block deer coming from a particular direction. While that may discourage deer from using their usual route, it doesn't prevent them from finding another way around.

    There's also a concern when deer find their way into a partially protected area. If they become frightened or can't find their way out, they may damage the fencing while trying to escape.

    For dependable deer protection, we recommend creating a complete enclosure, even if that means fencing a smaller portion of your property.

    If you're planning a DIY installation, our Getting Started Guide can help you plan your layout.

  • If you're enclosing your property with deer fencing, you'll need to account for the driveway entrance. Otherwise, deer may simply walk through the opening.

    The most reliable solution is to incorporate a driveway gate into your fence design.

    We offer driveway gates that can be operated manually or automated for added convenience. Many customers also choose to install a decorative driveway gate and connect the deer fencing to either side, creating a continuous barrier without compromising the appearance of their property.

    When planning a driveway gate, consider the width of the opening, surrounding terrain, and how the gate will connect to the rest of the fence.

    The important thing is to eliminate openings that allow deer to enter the enclosed area.

  • Yes, and this happens more often than many homeowners realize.

    Deer will frequently look for an opening along the bottom of a fence or push through a weak area rather than jump over the top. That's why securing the bottom of your deer fence is just as important as choosing the correct height.

    We recommend a bottom tension cable to help keep the fence secure, along with ground stakes where needed. In certain situations, fencing can also be flared outward along the ground to discourage animals from getting underneath.

    Corners, ends, and gates should also be properly braced.

    A well-installed 6- or 7-foot fence with a secure bottom may provide better protection than an 8-foot fence with openings along the ground.

    We've even seen cases where homeowners thought deer were jumping into their property when they were actually jumping out. Read our “From the Field” story below.

  • Yes. Wooded and heavily landscaped properties are often excellent candidates for deer fencing.

    Trees, shrubs, slopes, and other obstacles can make deer less inclined to jump because they have less room to approach the fence or judge the landing area. That's one reason we frequently recommend 7-foot fencing for wooded residential properties.

    Uneven terrain does require some additional planning. It's important to keep the bottom of the fence secure as it follows the contours of the ground and to properly brace corners, ends, gates, and significant changes in direction.

    Rocky soil, steep slopes, and water crossings can present challenges, but they don't necessarily prevent a successful installation.

    Sometimes the best solution is to adjust the fence layout rather than force the fencing through a particularly difficult area.

    For help planning your installation, see our Deer Fence Getting Started Guide.

FROM THE FIELD

The Deer That Were Supposedly Jumping the Fence

Over the years, our professional deer fence installer, Rob Benner, has visited properties where homeowners were convinced their deer fence wasn't tall enough because deer were getting inside. Some had even watched deer jump over the fence.

But after inspecting the fencing, Rob found openings along the bottom where the deer had actually been entering.

Once inside, the deer became frightened or couldn't find their way back out, so they jumped over the fence to escape.

The lesson? Before deciding your fence needs to be taller, inspect the entire perimeter for openings along the bottom.