Step #1: Clear the Perimeter
Effective deer protection requires a complete deer exclosure. In other words, the deer fence must completely enclose the area you wish to protect. Start off by walking the perimeter and eyeballing where you would like the fence to go.
Next, clear your fence line by pruning back branches and removing brush and debris as appropriate. A good rule of thumb is to give yourself a clean perimeter that’s about five feet wide. Make sure your land is level! If it’s not, deer may crawl right under.
Step #2: Mark Your Post Positions
The next step is to clearly mark the spots for each deer fence post with stakes or flags. Start with one of the corners, and mark the position for the post. Continue the process around the entire perimeter until you return to the starting point. Keep in mind that deer fencing will only turn at a post. Post spacing is as follows:
- Freedom Fence Post (angle steel post): approximately 12’ apart
- Ultra Deer Fence Post with Sleeve: can be installed about 15′ apart and trees 16′ to 20′ apart.
Step # 3: Install Your Deer Fencing Posts
Installing Freedom Fence Posts
These fence posts can either be dug or pounded into position. Because the posts are made from hard steel, they can often be driven right through the rock with either a sledge hammer or with a post driver. Stand on something safe and stable, and pound the deer fence post into position at the marked locations.
Installing Ultra Deer Fence Posts (With Sleeves)
These posts are designed for the sleeve to be driven into the earth, and the post will simply slip into the sleeve. Use a digging bar to create a pilot hole for the sleeve. Then, insert the sleeve into the pilot hole, place the driving cap on top of the sleeve, and begin driving the sleeve.
Once the sleeve is one third to halfway into the ground, stop and insert the post into the sleeve. Check for plumb with a level, and adjust as necessary as you continue driving the sleeve.
Once the sleeve is in position, install the cap or plug on the top of your post, and slip the other end of the post into the sleeve. Lock the post and sleeve into position using #10 galvanized nails. These will act as shims between the post and the sleeve.
Step #4: Attach Polypropylene Fence to Posts
Before beginning installation, take a look at the roll of deer fencing. On a 7-½’ fence, the smooth side is the upside, and the cut edge is the bottom (note: for shorter fences, both edges are cut).
Begin installing the fencing in a corner by attaching the fencing to the post with a few zip ties, but do not tighten them all the way just yet. Keep the roll of fencing in a vertical position, and unroll it a few feet at a time as you walk toward and beyond the next post. Secure the fence to the second post, and continue the process. Make sure that the fencing is on the outside of the post wherever possible.
Effective deer protection requires the polypropylene fence to finish at 7 feet high with approximately 6” flared out away from your exclosure. Standing on the bottom of the deer fence will help create the necessary L-shaped flare along the ground.
Working from the top of the first post down, secure the deer fencing with zip ties. The average post will require 5 or 6 ties. Now, pull and stretch the deer fencing toward the second post and secure top down with zip ties. The deer fence should finish at 7 feet high and be snug, but never drum tight. You do want to have some “give” to help absorb impact from deer. Repeat this process around the entire perimeter.
Step #5: Secure the Fence Line
Deer protection requires the deer fencing to be well-adhered to the ground. Once the fence is installed and snug, make sure the bottom “flare” of the deer fence is making contact with the ground. Fasten the fence flare to the ground using ground stakes. A rough rule of thumb is to place a stake every 5 feet or so.
In general, it takes about 3 months for deer to learn that the new deer fence is there. Soon, the deer will develop a new trail that goes around your deer protection.