I tried a number of fencing tricks, including
baiting the fence and building two fences several
feet apart. Success came when I used 1/2" wide
electric tape instead of wire. I have only three
strands, with the highest about four feet from the
ground. The tape is highly visible, and flutters
in the slightest breeze. My theory on its
effectiveness is that the deer are curious enough
about the tape that they investigate rather than
just jumping right over, which they clearly could
do. This is definitely a psychological barrier,
rather than an impenetrable physical one. It might
not work if the deer were driven by severe hunger
rather than merely the temptation of more tasty
treats. However, before this fence, they were devastating
our crops, and we see no damage now.
-- Jim Lukens ATTRA, National Center for Appropriate Technology Fayetteville, AR 501-442-9824 jiml@ncatfyv.uark.edu