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Planning Guides > Custom Build Your Electric Deer Fence
USE THE INSTRUCTIONS AND DESCRIPTIONS BELOW TO IDENTIFY MATERIALS NEEDED FOR BUILDING AN ELECTRIC DEER FENCE TAILORED TO YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS
Deer Fence Descriptions and Materials
There are many kinds of electric deer fences, and they have a number of different purposes. If the purpose you have in mind is not listed below, select the purpose that seems closest to it.
I would like to:
1. Electric Fence to Protect Warm-season Gardens from Browsing Deer
A mini-deer fence can do this job, because the area or areas to be protected are usually small and deer have good alternative food sources. So train them early with a baited electric deer fence powered by a mild to intermediate electric fence charger. Refresh the bait about every 10 days, especially in the spring or early summer before the garden has gotten up or become tasty; keep the electric fence conductor free of weeds; and test the electric fence every 10 days or so with an electric fence tester to ensure that the minimum desired charge (2.5 kilovolts) is on the line. If multiple gardens are to be protected you still need only one electric fence charger, because the individual fence sections can be connected with electric fence hookup wire buried an inch or so underground.
Materials needed:
- Electric Fence Charger, mild to intermediate power: Select from catalog products 1-2 thru 1-4, 1-7 thru 1-9, 1-12, and 1-15.
- Electric Fence Hookup Wire, 14 or 16 gauge: Select from catalog products 2-28 thru 2-30.
- Electric Fence Posts: Select from various electric fence posts 48" or 60" long to be located 25' apart and at all bends and corners. Use 48" step-in plastic electric fence posts (catalog products 9-11 thru 9-13 and 9-17) or 3/8" diameter 48" fiberglass electric fence posts set 12" into the ground (catalog product 9-4) where the fence runs straight. Use more rigid 11/16" fiberglass electric fence posts (catalog product 9-9) standing alone or fully rigid metal posts purchased at your local hardware store that should be tied 3 inches or so out from each fiberglass post (with polypropylene rope or the equivalent) at every bend and corner to introduce rigidity at these points.
- Electric Fence Conductor: Select 16 or 17 gauge aluminum electric fence wire (catalog products 2-2 thru 2-5) for permanent fences; select electric fence polywire, 0.5" polytape, or polyrope (catalog products 2-8 thru 2-19 and 2-23 thru 2-25) for temporary electric fences or seasonal ones that are taken down in fall and put up again in early spring.
- Electric Fence Insulators: Step-in plastic electric fence posts need no insulators. For 3/8" fiberglass electric fence posts consider catalog products 7-1 thru 7-5. With 11/16" fiberglass electric fence posts (for turns and corners) use catalog products 7-3 thru 7-5. With steel T-posts (again at turns and corners) use catalog products 7-28 thru 7-30 for 0.5" polytape, and use catalog product 7-13 for all other conductors.
- Electric Fence Ground Rods: Use a 2' electric fence ground rod with connecting nuts (catalog product 6-1) or in dry areas consider using catalog products 6-2 thru 6.4.
- Electric Fence Deer Attractant: Consider catalog products 3-1 thru 3-4.
- Electric Fence Gates: Consider catalog products 5-2 thru 5-6.
- Electric Fence Signs: Use catalog product 10-1.
- Electric Fence Tester: Consider catalog products 4-2 and 4-3.
If the electric fence described appears reasonably close to what you want, we recommend that you print out this list of materials.
CONTINUE to the start of the Product Selection Guide
RETURN to the custom-building options
2. Electric Fence to Protect Warm-season Gardens from Both Deer and Small Animals (Woodchucks, Raccoons, Rabbits, etc.)
A mini-deer fence can do this job, because the area or areas to be protected are usually small and deer have good alternative food sources; but the electric fence charger selected must be very mild because the electric fence wires keeping out small animals run very low. So train the deer early with a baited electric deer fence powered by a pet-safe, child-safe charger. Refresh the bait about every 10 days, especially in the spring or early summer before the garden has gotten up or become tasty; keep the electric fence wires free of weeds; and test the fence every 10 days or so with an electric fence tester to ensure that the minimum desired charge (2.5 kilovolts) is on the line.
To keep out small animals, combine this electric fence with the 18" barrier fence and low electrified wires described in the catalog’s Small Animal Control section. This arrangement requires a child-safe, pet-safe electric fence charger (see catalog product 1-7). If multiple gardens are to be protected you still need only one electric fence charger, because the individual fences can be connected with electric fence hookup wire (see catalog products 2-28 thru 2-30) buried an inch or so underground. However, special attention and a weed barrier (catalog product 12-2) are needed to ensure that all the electrified wires stay out of contact with encroaching weeds.
Materials needed:
- Electric Fence Charger: Fi-Shock SS-2D (catalog product 1-7).
- Electric Fence Hookup Wire, 14 or 16 gauge: To connect several fences, consider catalog products 2-28 thru 2-30.
- Fiberglass Electric Fence Posts, 3/8" diameter: Place 18" posts (catalog product 9-1) up to 12 feet apart and at all corners to support low (4" and 8") electrified wires. Place 27" posts (catalog product 9-2) 7' apart (but place none at the fence corners) to support an 18" barrier fence. Place 36" posts (catalog product 9-3) 25 feet apart all along the barrier fence line and at all corners, plus 2 at each gate. Heavier, more rigid posts are not needed because the tallest wire is only 24" above the ground and the 18" barrier fence (see below) helps to support the 36" posts.
- Electric Fence Conductor: Select 16 or 17 gauge aluminum electric fence wire (catalog products 2-2 thru 2-5)
- Electric Fence Insulators: Plan to place two clip-on electric fence insulators (catalog product 7-6) on each 18" post and one of these or one Western-style electric fence insulator (catalog product 7-1 or 7-2) on each 36" post.
- Barrier Fence: Use 50' x 18", pvc-coated green welded steel wire fence with 2" x 3" openings (catalog product 12-1)
- Weed Barrier: Use 50' x 3' x 1.3 mil black poly mulch (catalog product 12-2). This must be covered with pine bark or wood chips to prevent destruction by outdoor UV radiation.
- Electric Fence Ground Rod: Use a 2' electric fence ground rod with connecting nuts (catalog product 6-1), or in dry areas consider catalog products 6-2 thru 6-4.
- Electric Fence Deer Attractant: Consider catalog products 3-1 thru 3-4.
- Electric Fence Gates: Consider catalog products 5-2 thru 5-4.
- Electric Fence Tester: Consider catalog products 4-2 and 4-3.
If the electric fence described appears reasonably close to what you want, we recommend that you print out this list of materials.
CONTINUE to the start of the Product Selection Guide
RETURN to the custom-building options
3. Electric Fence to Protect Scattered Groups of Evergreens from Light Winter Deer Pressure
Where winter deer pressure is light, one can use a single row of electric fence posts 48" tall to support visible electric fence conductors (the top one baited) that are strung at 24" and 48" around groups of vulnerable evergreens. Place the line of electric fence posts far enough away from the evergreens so that deer cannot reach over the electric fence and browse them, but put the posts close enough to the plantings so that the deer have no place where they can jump into a protected planting without strongly contacting one of the charged wires. Only one electric fence charger is needed, as the various above-ground electric fence sections can be connected with an electric fence hookup wire placed an inch or so underground. In areas where the ground freezes deeply, bare 12.5 gauge wire should be laid all along the base of each above-ground electric fence section (either on the ground or buried an inch or so below it); this uncharged wire, together with the electric fence system’s ground rod, should be connected up to the electric fence charger’s ground terminal to ensure proper grounding of incoming deer during winter. Activate the electric fence system in early fall, before the deer start running short of food, so as to help train them away from the protected zones, and refresh the baits every 10 days. Use an intermediate to strong electric fence charger with sufficient output to maintain 2.5 kilovolts on the line. Should deer penetrate this system, make sure that the baits are fresh and that sufficient voltage is on the line. If the fence is working correctly, consider modifying the fence to create a “3-D” effect, as described for a similar fence dealing with heavy deer pressure (click here for description); also consider possible ways of removing or melting any heavy accumulations of snow or ice on the ground where deer are standing by the electric fence (to improve grounding); look into getting a stronger electric fence charger that can maintain 5 kilovolts on the line; and think about supplementing the electric fence with other measures (see Other Deer Control Products in the catalog or visit our affiliated general deer control web site, www.deer-gone.biz).
Materials Needed:
- Electric Fence Charger, intermediate to strong power: Select from catalog products 1-5, 1-6, 1-10, and 1-18.
- Electric Fence Hookup Wire, 14 or 16 gauge: Select from catalog products 2-28 thru 2-30.
- Electric Fence Posts: Select from electric fence posts 60" tall to be located 25' apart and at all bends and corners. Use 3/8" or 1/2" diameter fiberglass electric fence posts set 12" into the ground (catalog products 9-5 or 9-7) where the fence runs straight. Use more rigid 11/16" fiberglass electric fence posts (catalog product 9-9) standing alone or fully rigid metal posts purchased at your local hardware store that should be tied 3 inches or so out from each fiberglass post (with polypropylene rope or the equivalent) at every bend and corner to introduce rigidity at these points.
- Electric Fence Conductor: Select highly visible 0.5" electric fence polytape (catalog products 2-14 thru 2-19) or electric fence polyrope (catalog products 2-23 thru 2-25).
- Electric Fence Insulators: With 3/8" or 1/2" fiberglass electric fence posts consider catalog products 7-1 thru 7-5. With 11/16" fiberglass electric fence posts (at bends and corners) use catalog products 7-3 thru 7-5. With steel T-posts (also at bends and corners) use catalog products 7-28 thru 7-30 for 0.5" polytape, and use catalog product 7-13 for polyrope.
- Electric Fence Ground Rod and Ground Wire: Use a 6' electric fence ground rod and clamp (catalog products 6-2 and 6-3 or 6-4). Also run bare 12.5 gauge wire (catalog product 2-7) all along the base of the above-ground electric fence sections to promote effective grounding of target animals.
- Electric Fence Deer Attractant: Consider catalog products 3-1 thru 3-4.
- Electric Fence Gates: Consider catalog products 5-2 thru 5-6.
- Electric Fence Signs: Use catalog product 10-1.
- Electric Fence Tester: Consider catalog products 4-2 and 4-3.
If the electric fence described appears reasonably close to what you want, we recommend that you print out this list of materials.
CONTINUE to the start of the Product Selection Guide
RETURN to the custom-building options
4. Electric Fence to Protect Scattered Groups of Evergreens from Heavy Winter Deer Pressure
Where winter deer pressure is heavy, one should create a so-called “3-D” electric fence by placing two rows of electric fence posts, one three feet behind the other, around all the plantings to be protected. Highly visible baited 0.5" electric fence polytape or polyrope should be strung at a height of 36" from the outer row of posts, and the same conductor (unbaited) should be strung at heights of 24" and 48" from the inner row (nearest to the evergreens). Place the electric fence posts far enough away from the evergreens so that deer cannot reach over the electric fence and browse; but place them close enough to the protected plants so that the deer have no place where they can jump into the planted area without strongly contacting the inner charged wire. Only one electric fence charger is needed, as the various above-ground fences can be connected with electric fence hookup wire placed an inch or so underground. Bare 12.5 gauge wire should be laid all along the base of each electric fence (either on the ground or buried an inch or so below it); this, together with the system’s ground rod, should be connected up to the electric fence charger’s ground terminal to ensure proper grounding of incoming deer during winter.
Activate the electric fence system in early fall,
before the deer start running short of food, to help train them away
from the protected zones,
and refresh the electric fence baits about every 10 days. Use an intermediate
to strong electric fence charger with sufficient output to maintain at
least 2.5 kilovolts on the line despite interference at times from
snow, ice, and frozen ground. Should deer penetrate this system, make
sure that the baits are fresh and that sufficient voltage is on the
line. If the
electric fence is working correctly, consider possible ways of removing
or melting heavy accumulations of snow or ice on ground where deer are
standing by the outer electric fence conductor (to improve grounding);
look into getting a more powerful electric fence charger (see catalog
products 1-5, 1-6, and 1-11 in the AC-powered chargers section) that
can maintain 5 kilovolts on the line; and also think about supplementing
the electric fence with other measures
(see Other Deer Control Products in the catalog or visit our affiliated
general deer control web site, www.deer-gone.biz).
Materials Needed:
- Electric Fence Charger, intermediate to high power:
Select from products 1-5, 1-6, 1-11, 1-10, and 1-18.
- Electric Fence Hookup Wire: Select from products
2-28 thru 2-32.
- Electric Fence Posts: Select from various electric
fence posts 60" tall
to be located 25' apart and at all bends and corners. Use “3/8" or
1/2" diameter
fiberglass electric fence posts set 12" into the ground (catalog
products 9-5 or 9-7) where the electric fence runs straight. Use more
rigid
11/16" fiberglass
electric fence posts (catalog product 9-9) standing alone or fully
rigid metal posts purchased at your local hardware store that should
be tied 3 inches or so out from each fiberglass post (with polypropylene
rope or the equivalent) at every bend and corner to introduce rigidity
at these points.
- Electric Fence
Conductor: Select highly visible 0.5" electric
fence polytape (catalog products 2-14 thru 2-19) or electric fence
polyrope (catalog
products 2-23 thru 2-25).
- Electric Fence Insulators: With 3/8" or 1/2" fiberglass
electric fence posts consider using catalog products 7-1 thru 7-5.
With 11/16" fiberglass electric
fence posts (at bends and corners) use catalog products 7-3 thru
7-5. With steel T-posts (also at bends and corners) use catalog
products 7-28 thru 7-30 for stringing 0.5" electric
fence polytape, and use catalog product 7-13 for stringing electric
fence
polyrope.
- Electric Fence Ground Rod and Ground Wire: Use
a 6' electric fence ground rod and clamp (catalog products 6-2 and
6-3 or product
6-4).
Also use bare
12.5 gauge wire (catalog product 2-7) at the base of the electric
fence under the entire length of the above-ground 36" high
conductor to promote effective grounding of target animals.
- Electric
Fence Deer Attractant: Consider catalog products 3-1 thru 3-4.
- Electric
Fence Gates: Consider catalog products 5-2 thru 5-6.
- Electric
Fence Signs: Use catalog product 10-1.
- Electric Fence Tester:
Consider catalog products 4-2 and 4-3.
If the electric fence described appears reasonably close to what you
want, we recommend that you print out this list of materials.
CONTINUE to the start of the Product Selection Guide
RETURN to the custom-building options
5. Electric Fence to Protect a Large Area from Summer Browsing or Light Winter
Deer Pressure
Where only summer protection is desired or winter deer pressure is light,
one can use a single row of electric fence posts 48" tall to support
two visible electric fence conductors (the top one baited) strung at
24" and 48" all along the perimeter of the property, or around
a large area to be protected, or along wooded or other areas that deer
are prone to penetrate. If established deer paths are coming into the
area, consider using one or more motion-activated water sprayers (catalog
product 11-1) to disrupt habitual deer movements when the fence is
first installed, and also consider supplementing the fence by treating
gardens or evergreens inside the protected area with deer repellant.
Only one electric fence charger is needed, even if the electric fence
is not continuous, because separate sections can be connected with
an electric fence hookup wire placed an inch or so underground. If
the electric fence is to be active in winter and will have to deal
with snow, ice, and frozen ground, bare 12.5 gauge wire should be
laid
below all its above-ground sections (either on the ground
or buried an inch or so below ground); this, together with the electric
fence system’s single or multiple ground rods, should be connected
to the electric fence charger’s ground terminal to ensure proper
grounding of incoming deer during winter. Activate a summer electric
fence system in early spring, but activate a winter electric fence
system in early fall, before the deer start running short of food,
so as to help train them away from the protected zones. Use an intermediate
to strong electric fence charger with sufficient output to maintain
at least 2.5 kilovolts on the line. Should deer penetrate this system,
make sure that the baits are fresh and that sufficient voltage is on
the
line. If the electric fence is working correctly, consider modifying
the fence to create a “3-D” effect, as described in the
section dealing with heavy deer pressure (click here for
description), consider possible ways of removing or melting heavy accumulations
of snow and ice on the ground
where the deer are standing by the electric fence (to improve grounding);
consider getting a more powerful electric fence charger able to maintain
at least 5 kilovolts on the line (see catalog products 1-5, 1-6, and
1-11 in the AC-powered chargers section); and also think about supplementing
the electric fence with other measures (see Other Deer Control Products
in the catalog or visit our affiliated
general deer control web site, www.deer-gone.biz).
Materials needed:
- Electric Fence Charger, intermediate to high power:
Select from products 1-3 thru 1-6, 1-8 thru 1-11, 1-15, and 1-18.
- Electric Fence Hookup Wire: Select from products
2-28 thru 2-32.
- Electric Fence Posts: Select from electric fence
posts 60" tall to be
located 25' to 40' apart and at all bends and corners. Use 3/8" or
1/2" diameter
fiberglass electric fence posts set 12" into the ground (catalog
product 9-4 or 9-7) where the electric fence runs straight. Use more
rigid 11/16" fiberglass
electric fence posts (catalog product 9-9) standing alone or fully
rigid metal posts purchased at your local hardware store that should
be tied 3 inches or so out from each fiberglass post (with polypropylene
rope or the equivalent) at every bend and corner to introduce rigidity
at these points.
- Electric Fence
Conductor: Select highly visible 0.5" electric fence
polytape (catalog products 2-14 thru 2-19) or electric fence polyrope
(catalog products 2-23 thru 2-25).
- Electric Fence Insulators: With
3/8" or 1/2" fiberglass electric fence posts
consider catalog products 7-1 thru 7-5. With 11/16" fiberglass
electric fence posts (at bends and corners) use catalog products
7-3 thru 7-5. With steel T-posts (also at bends and corners) use
catalog products 7-28 thru 7-30 for 0.5" electric fence polytape,
or use catalog product 7-13 for electric fence polyrope.
- Electric
Fence Ground Rod and Grounding Wire: Use at least one 6' electric
fence ground rod and clamp (catalog products 6-2 and
6-3 or
product 6-4).
For a winter fence also use bare 12.5 gauge wire (catalog product
2-7) at the base
of the electric fence under the entire length of the electric
fence conductor to promote effective grounding of target animals.
- Electric
Fence Deer Attractant: Consider catalog products 3-1 thru 3-4.
- Electric
Fence Gates: Consider catalog products 5-1 thru 5-6.
- Electric
Fence Signs: Use catalog product 10-1.
- Electric Fence Tester:
Consider catalog products 4-2 and 4-3.
If the electric fence described appears reasonably close to what you
want, we recommend that you print out this list of materials.
CONTINUE to the start of the Product Selection Guide
RETURN to the custom-building options
6. Electric Fence to Protect a Large Area from Heavy Winter Deer Pressure
Where winter deer pressure is heavy, one should create a so-called “3-D” electric
fence by placing two rows of electric fence posts, one three feet behind
the other, all along the perimeter of the property, or around the large
area to be protected, or along wooded or other areas that deer are prone
to penetrate. Highly visible 0.5" electric fence polytape or electric
fence polyrope should be strung at a height of 36" from the outer
row of electric fence posts and at heights of 24" and 48" from
the inner row (nearest to the protected area), and the outer (36" high)
electric fence conductor should be baited. If single or multiple established
deer paths are coming into the area, consider using one or more motion-activated
water sprayers (catalog product 11-1) to disrupt habitual deer movements
when the electric fence is first installed, and also consider supplementing
the electric fence by treating evergreens inside the protected area with
repellant (catalog products 11-2 thru 11-5, 11-11, and 11-12). Only one
electric fence charger is needed, even if the fence is not continuous,
as separate sections
can be connected with an electric fence hookup wire placed an inch or
so underground. Bare 12.5 gauge wire should be laid all along the base
of the electric fence (either on the ground or buried an inch or so below
it); this, together with the electric fence system’s single or
multiple ground rods, should be connected to the electric fence charger’s
ground terminal to ensure proper grounding of incoming deer during winter.
Activate the electric fence system in early fall, before the deer start
running short of food, so as to help train them away from the protected
zones, and refresh the baits about every 10 days. Use an intermediate
to strong electric fence charger with sufficient output to maintain at
least 2.5 kilovolts on the line. Should deer penetrate this system, make
sure that
the baits are fresh and that sufficient voltage is on the line. If the
electric fence is working correctly, consider ways of removing or melting
heavy accumulations of snow and ice where deer are standing by the fence
(to improve grounding); consider getting a more powerful charger able
to maintain at least 5 kilovolts on the line (see catalog products 1-5,
1-6, and 1-11 in the AC-powered chargers section); and also re-examine
other tools (see Other Deer Control Products in the catalog or visit
our affiliated general deer control web site, www.deer-gone.biz)
that might be used to supplement the fence.
Materials needed:
- Electric Fence Charger, intermediate to high power:
Select from catalog products 1-5, 1-6, 1-11, 1-10, and 1-18.
- Electric Fence Hookup Wire: Select from catalog
products 2-28 thru 2-32.
- Electric Fence Posts: Select from various
electric fence posts 60" tall
to be located 25' to 40' apart and at all bends and corners. Use 3/8" or
1/2" diameter
fiberglass electric fence posts set 12" into the ground (catalog
product 9-5 or 9-7) where the electric fence runs straight. Use more
rigid 11/16" fiberglass
electric fence posts (catalog product 9-9) standing alone or fully
rigid metal posts purchased at your local hardware store that should
be tied 3 inches or so out from each fiberglass post (with polypropylene
rope or the equivalent) at every bend and corner to introduce rigidity
at these points.
- Electric Fence
Conductor: Select highly visible 0.5" electric fence
polytape (catalog products 2-14 thru 2-19) or electric fence polyrope
(catalog products 2-23 thru 2-25).
- Electric Fence Insulators: With
3/8" or 1/2" fiberglass electric fence posts
consider using catalog products 7-1 thru 7-5. With 11/16" fiberglass
electric fence posts (at bends and corners) use catalog products
7-3 thru 7-5. With steel T-posts (also at bends and corners) use
catalog products 7-28 thru 7-30 for stringing 0.5" electric
fence polytape, or use catalog product 7-13 for stringing electric
fence
polyrope.
- Electric Fence Ground Rod and Ground Wire: Use
at least one 6' electric fence ground rod and clamp (catalog products
6-2
and 6-3
or product
6-4). Also use
bare 12.5 gauge wire (catalog product 2-7) at the base of the
electric fence under the entire length of the 36" high electric
fence conductor to promote effective grounding of target animals.
- Electric
Fence Deer Attractant: Consider catalog products 3-1 thru 3-4.
- Electric
Fence Gates: Consider catalog products 5-2 thru 5-6.
- Electric
Fence Signs: Use catalog product 10-1.
- Electric Fence Tester: Consider
catalog products 4-2 and 4-3.
If the electric fence described appears reasonably close to what you
want, we recommend that you print out this list of materials.
CONTINUE to the start of the Product Selection Guide
RETURN to the custom-building options
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