6' fence is the only way we keep the deer and worse the javelina out of our garden and orchard. Jacks and cottontails can squeeze through the ranch wire fence but I got my 17HMR that really spins them good!!
A 6' fence will keep zero percent of our deer out of plantings that need protecting here. An 8' fence isn't even 100% effective. Maybe our cotton, corn and peanut crops give the deer more ability to jump. I dunno.
With the right motivation full grown bucks can clear 10 foot of fence. The neighbor started at 8 ft around his garden, went to 10 ft. and the following year, took down the fence and planted sod.
The only plant the deer would for sure not eat were gardenias. I never had a fence, and quit a few years before the neighbor.
The deer got a lot of help from the woodchuck and the rabbits. I watched a black squirrel eat a cherry tomato on my deck rail yesterday, don’t know if he is a gourmet or if that is regular behavior from them.
Best,
Ted
