As a kid, I loved watching families of deer wander into my family’s backyard. I loved admiring these majestic, beautiful animals from the comfort of my childhood home. My grandparents would even throw out buckets of corn feed to gather families of deer.
However, my grandparents were hunters and admired bucks in a very different way.
When I grew up and bought my own house, I learned how pesky deer really can be. They trampled into my garden, ate all my flowers and my vegetables! Not to mention the deer droppings they left behind.
They also marked their territory with urine. Gross. My dog would smell their scent and get nervous. He’s a gentle giant who’s not that smart. Very lovable, but not that smart or brave. So he started getting anxious in his own backyard.
So the deer and I entered into a silent agreement. I won’t mess with your wilderness if you respect my space, which is barely an acre. And aluminum fencing executed this agreement perfectly.
Why aluminum?
Well, I have seen deer jump over wooden fences. I’ve also seen some fully grown bucks bust through wooden panels without a scratch on them.
Aluminum is very affordable and doesn’t require as much maintenance as other materials. Which means I can focus more time and attention on my garden. For you, this means you can focus more on enjoyable yard activities.
Aluminum fencing is also very strong and durable. No way a giant, muscular buck is going to break into my yard. It also comes in various heights, as tall as 8 feet! So they can’t jump over it either.
While we are focusing on the practicality, aesthetics also matter. You don’t want to make your yard feel like a prison. Thankfully, there are plenty of designs and styles to choose from.
What features does a fence need to keep deer out?
You need a fence that is high. Wildlife agencies recommend fences between 6 and 8 feet tall to keep deer out. So, I got a 6-foot-tall fence. Tall enough to keep deer out, but not tall enough for the local HOA to get mad at. They find fences taller than 6 feet ugly. And chances are, if you have an HOA, they probably also have limitations around the fences you can have.
Some recommend choosing panels with extra pickets or a privacy-style aluminum fence. The idea is that if the deer can’t see, they won’t even try to break in.
However, I didn’t want to block the natural scenery and wildlife around my home. So I chose the classic Manhattan-style fence. It seems to me that the Monarch Finials are sharp enough to discourage the deer.
I also opted for the solar-powered light post caps. They surround my yard with a perimeter of light and don’t require any extra wiring. I thought it looked nice, but I learned that light also discourages deer, as they are skittish creatures.
What do you want out of your fence?
While this blog focused on creating a deer-free yard, the overarching point is that aluminum fencing is so versatile and customizable that you can design it for almost anything.
Want to protect your yard from coyotes, boars, and alligators? Aluminum fencing can do that!
Want to protect your rental property? Aluminum fencing can save your investment!
Want to create a private, outdoor oasis around your pool? Aluminum fencing has you covered!