A deer fence can look perfectly fine and still fail to keep deer out.
Maybe the fence is tall enough, the mesh looks strong, and there are no obvious holes. Yet you still find damaged trees, broken branches, or signs that deer have been inside the orchard. So what went wrong?
In many cases, the problem is not the fence itself. A small gap under the mesh, a low spot on a slope, a poorly secured corner, or a gate that does not close tightly can create an easy way in. These weak points are easy to overlook, especially on a large orchard.
In this article, we’ll look at seven common deer fencing mistakes that can leave an orchard exposed—and what you can do to prevent them.
1. Installing a Fence That Is Too Low
Height is one of the first things to check when deer keep getting into an orchard. A fence may look tall enough when you stand next to it, but deer can clear a surprising height when they have enough room to jump.
For commercial orchards, a low fence can become an easy crossing point, especially where deer are already used to feeding or moving through the area. The problem can be even worse when the ground outside the fence sits higher than the ground inside. A fence that measures 7 feet on level ground may effectively be much lower from a raised section of terrain.
That is why you should look at the fence from the deer’s side, not just measure the posts from the ground. Walk the entire perimeter and pay close attention to slopes, raised ground, and places where the terrain changes. These areas can reduce the effective height without making the fence look obviously lower.
A good deer fence should create a consistent barrier around the orchard, not just meet a height target at a few points. Before choosing the final height, consider the local deer pressure, surrounding terrain, and how the fence will be installed along the entire perimeter.
2. Leaving Gaps Under the Fence
When people check a deer fence, they usually look up first. Is it high enough? Is the mesh still in good shape? Are the posts standing straight?
But the bottom deserves just as much attention.
A small gap under the fence may not look like a serious problem, especially on uneven ground. Over time, however, soil can wash away, animals can disturb the ground, or a section of mesh can lift slightly. What started as a small opening can become an easy way for deer to get into the orchard.
This often happens on slopes and around drainage ditches. The fence may follow a straight line while the ground underneath changes from one section to another. If the mesh is installed too far above the soil, the effective barrier becomes weaker at those low points.
The same problem can appear after heavy rain or other changes to the ground. Soil may settle or erode, leaving a gap that was not there when the fence was first installed. That is why checking the bottom edge should be part of routine fence inspections, not something you only do after finding deer tracks inside the orchard.
The goal is not simply to make the fence touch the ground everywhere. Instead, the installation should account for the actual terrain and keep the bottom edge secure and difficult for deer to push under. Depending on the site, this may involve closer ground anchoring, burying part of the mesh, or adjusting the fence line around uneven areas.
A fence is only as effective as its weakest opening. And sometimes, that opening is right under your feet.
3. Choosing the Wrong Mesh for the Job
Not all deer netting works the same way, and choosing mesh based on price or appearance alone can create problems later.
Start with the mesh opening. If the openings are too large for the animals you are trying to exclude, smaller deer may find their way through. The wire or netting also needs enough strength to handle repeated contact without stretching, sagging, or losing its shape.
The right choice depends on more than just deer. Consider the size and behavior of the animals in the area, the level of deer pressure, the size of the orchard, and how long you expect the fence to remain in service.
For a large commercial orchard, lightweight netting may look attractive because it is easier to handle and install. But if it cannot maintain its shape under regular pressure or weather exposure, the initial saving may not be worth much.
A good deer fence should do more than block an opening on day one. The mesh needs to remain a reliable barrier after months or years of outdoor use.
4. Ignoring Corners, Slopes and Changes in Terrain
A deer fence may work well along a straight, level section and still have weak points where the orchard changes direction or the ground rises and falls.
Corners deserve particular attention. Poorly supported corners can cause the mesh to loosen or sag, reducing the overall strength of the fence. Slopes also cause a problem in that the fence may follow the ground so that the effective height of the fence is reduced or openings are created underneath.
It also helps to think about where deer naturally move. Woodland edges, streams, field boundaries, and other natural routes can become regular entry points. If these areas are treated like any other part of the perimeter, you may miss where deer are most likely to test the fence.
Before installation, walk the proposed fence line and look at the orchard from the deer’s side. Mark sharp corners, steep changes in elevation, drainage areas, and frequently used animal paths. A few extra minutes of planning can prevent much bigger problems after the fence is in place.
5. Treating Gates as an Afterthought
A deer fence can be strong from one end of the orchard to the other, but if the gate has a weak point, deer will eventually find it.
Gates often have larger openings, gaps underneath, or spaces between the gate and its posts. On a commercial orchard, the problem can be even harder to avoid because vehicles, equipment, and workers need regular access.
The bottom of the gate deserves special attention. Uneven ground can leave more of a gap than you realise, especially as the soil settles or changes over time. A gate that does not fully close is another easy way in.
When planning a deer fence, treat the gate as part of the exclusion system, not as a separate feature. Check the height, bottom clearance, side gaps, and how tightly the gate connects with the surrounding fence.
It only takes one easy opening for a deer to get inside. A well-designed gate helps make sure the fence remains a complete barrier when it is closed.
6. Not properly securing the fence
But even with the right deer netting it can be useless if it’s not properly supported and secured.
A fence might appear taut when it’s first put up, but loose posts, bad anchoring, or insufficient tension can cause the mesh to droop over the years. Wind, rain, vegetation and repeated animal contact can aggravate the problem.
Pay close attention to the parts where the fence bends and where the mesh is attached to posts. These areas are under more stress than a plain section and will loosen first if the structure is not well supported.
It is also worth checking the fence after storms or other major changes around the orchard. A leaning post or loose section may seem minor, but fixing it early is much easier than dealing with an opening after deer have already found it.
The goal is not simply to install a fence that looks secure. It should stay secure as the orchard, ground, and weather conditions change.
7. Don’t Wait to Check Your Fence for Deer Damage
If you only check the deer fence after you find damaged trees or missing fruit, you are already responding to the problem, not preventing it.
Deer do not have to break the fence to find a way through. A loose section, a new gap under the mesh, or a gate that won’t close properly anymore may be enough. Once deer discover an easy entry point, they may return to the same area again.
A quick walk around the fence can catch these problems early. Look for bent or loose sections, changes in ground level, damaged mesh, and signs of regular animal activity near the perimeter.
It is especially worth checking after heavy rain, strong winds, or work that changes the ground around the fence. These small inspections take far less time than finding out that deer have already reached your trees.
The best time to find a weak point is before the deer do.
Conclusion
Keeping deer out of an orchard is not just about putting up a tall fence. Small details can make a big difference, from the height and mesh to the ground underneath, corners, gates, and long-term stability.
If deer are getting inside, look for the weak point before replacing the entire fence. The problem could be a low section, loose mesh, uneven ground or a badly fitting gate.
These details are worth considering before installing for a new orchard project. A good deer fence should do its job without becoming another problem to manage. Get the height, mesh, ground clearance and installation right from the start, and you have a much better chance of keeping deer where they belong and your crops out of harm’s way. Dunqiang supplies deer netting for orchards and other agricultural sites, with different mesh and size options for specific installation requirements.
FAQs
What’s the height of a deer fence for an orchard?
An orchard deer fence is typically around 8 feet high, but the best height depends on deer pressure, terrain and the layout of the site. Measure effective height from side deer approach, especially on slopes or on high ground.
Can you get deer through deer netting?
They can if the mesh openings are too large, the netting is torn or if there are openings around the bottom, corners or gates. The entire fence system must work as a continuous barrier.
How do I stop deer from going under my fence?
Anchor the bottom edge near the ground, especially on slopes and in drainage areas. Inspect continually for new openings due to soil erosion, settlement or ground movement.
Why do deer continue to get into my orchard when the fence is whole?
Check more than the mesh itself. Look at the effective fence height, bottom gaps, corners, terrain changes, gates, and loose sections. Deer often find a small weak point that is easy to miss during a quick visual inspection.
