Anti-Deer Fence (3D Scented 3 to 5 Strand)

Low-cost design. Proven record protecting apple orchards, tree farms, vineyards and stands of newly planted trees from deer.

It’s two vertical fences of electrified rope set 3 ft apart. They combine to make a barrier that has both depth and height. The rope is supported by FiberRods™ and /or insulated wood or steel posts. An energizer is connected to the rope to provide the essential pulses that instill fear in deer. Scent caps are attached to the rope at intervals to induce deer to touch the rope with their noses.

Cost

As low as 42¢ per ft.

Why does a 3D fence work?

Experts tell us that deer have “landing anxiety” before they decide to jump over something. So, when facing a fence that has height, length and depth (thus 3D) deer are more tentative than with a fence that’s only “2D” (tall/wide but not deep). Why? It seems that the depth perception of species with side-of-the-head eye placement (deer, horses) is less than for species with both eyes in front (cattle, humans). That is why deer are tentative when they see a 3D fence and are likely to stop...slowly walk up to the fence...check the fence with their nose...and receive a strong electric shock. The pain encourages deer to find a less risky “restaurant,” trail or bedding ground.

Key advantages of a 3D fence

1. Low-cost to purchase.
2. Easy to maintain.

The design has a proven record for protecting apple orchards, tree farms, vineyards and stands of newly planted windbreaks and forests from deer.

To install and maintain

1. Drive the posts.
2. Attach insulators/clips. Insert and tension rope.
3. Attach scent caps.
4. Bait the caps.
5. Electrify with a suitable energizer.
6. Check to see > 3500 volts are present.
7. Perform yearly maintenance: expect to tension the rope and reset some of the FiberRod posts.
8. Scent caps should be refilled before a season of high deer activity (and ideally every 10 days during the high-activity seasons). When are those seasons? For rubbing damage it’s in the autumn before the rut. For browsing damage it depends on plant species being browsed.
9. Voltage should be monitored every week to ensure it’s 3500 or higher.
10. Weed growth under electrified ropes needs to be removed once each summer by mowing or by applying long-term herbicides.

Why scent caps and apple scent

Scent caps are metal pop bottle caps with cotton inside them and a strand of soft wire for wrapping around the rope. Apple scent is a concentrated scented liquid inside a squeeze bottle with a lid that enables precise drop-by-drop application.

Why scent caps?

Experience has shown that scent caps are a critical element in providing deer with the essential initial negative experience from a new electric fence. The apple scent entices deer to touch the metal caps. The deer receive a strong shock through their sensitive noses. Peanut butter also works but it’s not as easy to apply.

How many caps per ft of fence?

Deer are very sensitive to smell so one every 50 ft in heavy deer traffic areas and every 100 ft elsewhere.

Is it hard to rebait scent caps?

Baiting involves walking or riding the fence; twisting the cap upward; squeezing a few drops of apple scent onto the cotton inside the cap; and twisting the cap downward again. (It’s best to turn off the energizer first!)

Energizer:
You also need an energizer for this fence. Please refer to the Energizer section of our website to determine your needs.

NOTE: Dry conditions and wintertime usages—may reduce the effectiveness of electric fencing.