[Greenbuilding] Discouraging White Tails
Joe Killian
kaa-ajk at sonic.net
Wed Oct 15 11:19:27 CDT 2014
I've watched deer graze a mere 1" from the bottom wire in my 30" high
electric fence - and anywhere else outside it but not inside - though
they could easily jump over.
This in the high deer-problem area West Marin, where the deer forgot
to learn what plants are deer resistant, and no such thing as deer-proof.
This low, nearly invisible (30", 3 hot wires) yard defense fence
worked for us for over 15 years until we moved elsewhere, with a mere 2
individuals learning about the many goodies inside the fence and
requiring the ultimate solution.
Joe
On 10/10/2014 5:06 AM, Frank Tettemer wrote:
> Deer are very sensitive creatures. I don't know the science behind it,
> but they can detect, and be alarmed, by electric currents.
>
> Here's the practical experience behind that "science":
>
> In a very rural area, covered by 90% forest, we have a garden which
> grows all vegetables, including many deer favorites, such as corn,
> kale, chard, lettuce, melons, etc.
> Racoons also love corn and melons. Most neighbours have given up on
> corn and melons, unless they have a pet dog or two, to keep them away.
> We don't have a dog, but instead have built a very low fence, at 32"
> high. This fence has six strands of wire, very close together. The
> bottom strand, about an inch off of the hay mulch, is a "ground" wire.
> Next up, are two "live" wires. about five or six inches apart. Next is
> another "ground" wire. Then another two "live" wires. The live wires
> are connected to a very strong pulsing electric fencer, bought from
> the local farmer's co-op. We have had success for many years, keeping
> racoons and ground hogs out. (Well of course; I hate accidentally
> touching it myself)
>
> Deer will graze within fifty feet, eating any brome grasses, timothy,
> twitch grass, alfalfa, vetch, etc. We leave them to eat unmolested, as
> they are wonderful to watch at sunset. Certainly, they could simply
> jump, (or step over), that fence.
> But they don't.
>
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