Deer Fencing Details

Benner's Deer Fencing is a high-strength, wire fence-like mesh (1.75 inch) material constructed of UV stable black polypropylene. This "hi-tech" plastic deer fence is 7 ½' feet high, cost-effective, easy to install, and provides long-term deer protection without changing the appearance of the property.

The ultimate installed height of the fencing is approximately 7'. Six inches of the plastic fence grid is "flared" out onto the ground away from the protected area to keep deer from pushing underneath the fencing. For over ten years now this height has proven to be sufficient. Because deer have poor depth perception and cannot see where the fencing actually stops; they are fearful of jumping it (when pressed, whitetail deer can jump over 10'). In fact, when Benner's Deer Fencing is first installed, white flagging streamers (included) need to be temporarily tied to the fencing every 10 feet so the deer do not run right into it.

Unlike electric or wire fence, Benner's deer fencing can be easily attached to existing trees (up to 20 - 25 feet apart). In areas where trees are not present, galvanized steel pipes (baked on black finish) can be installed for support. The fencing is also staked to the ground with ground stakes every five to six feet to keep the deer from pushing underneath it.

Rob Benner (left) and Matt Hough (VP of Engineering) demonstrate how easy the fence is to install and how invisible the material really is. (These pictures of rolls of fencing being stretched out from trees were taken from 15' –20’ away)

Heavy Perimeter vs. Standard Fencing

In the past, many large perimeter garden fences were constructed from unattractive and cumbersome electric or wire fence. In order to offer additional strength for these larger projects, Benner's Gardens introduced its' second generation deer fencing in the spring of 1996. "Heavy Perimeter Fencing" is very similar in design to our Standard Fencing, but is 65% stronger and was created specifically for enclosing areas larger than one-quarter acre, or for locations with high deer pressure or deer paths.

Heavy Perimeter Fencing has been designed to provide added strength for enclosures that are large enough that the deer don't easily realize that they can just walk around the protected area. For these larger enclosures, the concept of re-directing or "training" the animals to keep them out of the protected area is by itself insufficient, and our Heavy Perimeter barrier is required. The larger the area you are enclosing, the more you are changing the deer travel patterns, thus the greater the risk of them inadvertently running into the virtually invisible wire-like plastic deer fence.

We have had reports of large bucks bouncing off our Heavy Perimeter Fencing when accidentally colliding with the newly installed deer fence system at full speed. Virtually all enclosures over 1/4 acre are now being protected with Heavy Perimeter Fencing with two black nylon tension cables (at the top and 3' off the ground - the "impact zone"). The only exception is the west coast, where the less aggressive/smaller Black Tail Deer pre-dominate. In this region it is possible to enclose considerably larger areas with the standard deer fencing.

Although deer running into our fencing has been an infrequent occurrence, it has typically happened in more heavily developed areas where there are large numbers of animals, and the deer have been frightened by dogs, cars, or other means, and blindly run in a panic. Many suburban metropolitan areas where no hunting takes place, are currently experiencing excessive pressure, and will benefit from the heavier deer fencing. With either of our plastic, non-electric wire fence-like materials, once the deer have been properly trained, they will re-direct their paths and avoid your property entirely.

The key to successful deer damage prevention is total enclosure of the area to be protected. If this is not done, deer will wander the perimeter of the fenced area until they find an opening, enter the property, and become trapped inside. Note: It is important to mention that in moderate to high-pressure deer areas we have repeated reports from electric deer fence users that the deer are "diving" between the wire fence strands and ignoring the mild shock to gain access to the enclosed area. In these situations, many people will actually run our high-strength plastic deer fence grid right behind the electric wire fence, often attaching to it directly with zip ties.

We are always available to answer any questions about how to make our deer fencing work on your property. All orders come with easy-to-follow installation instructions. Orders for two or more rolls of 7 ½' fence come with a free DVD or VHS installation video. This video is also available as a separate item for $19.95, and the cost can then be credited toward any future purchase. You can also call us at: 1-800-753-4660 with any technical questions you may have while installing you Benner's deer fence. If you would rather have someone install our fence for you, then we can send one of our Deer Fencers installation crews to your property.

The End Result

Dave Benner's wildflower garden in full bloom during May. This property has experienced successful deer protection for close to ten years with deer fencing.