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Fishing Line Fences

 
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I’ve seen quite a few people claim this has worked splendidly for them and just as many say it didn’t work at all.


It appears that most people are either spacing the line very far apart and deer can just climb through it. Or stopping it at 4’ or 5’ making it easy to jump over.

Has anyone tried actually creating a barrier with it? Like every 5-6” up to 6’ or so and the. maybe something more visible higher up?

Anyone had success with this fencing trick?

Only issue is there are two places on my property where I am concerned deer might be running and not see it rather than actively trying to break in. I’m not sure if it would ruin the effectiveness if I added higher visibility string. Issue would obviously be them getting tangled in it if they tried to step through and it doesn’t snap.
 
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Posts: 7683
Location: southern Illinois, USA
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I have never tried it. I would need a whole lot of of tempting to try it.  It potential for problems seem to outweigh any benefits.
 
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Location: Stone Garden Farm Richfield Twp., Ohio
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In many years of farming and fence building, I have found out that if you build lousy fences, you will very shortly be building fences again. Spend more, do it right, do it once.
 
pollinator
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Location: Kansas Temperate Zone
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Maria, I have tried various types of fishing line for various types of fences and barriers.

Each of them resulted in frustration for me, as I found myself more deterred than any wildlife, dangerous that I found myself to be running at time walking into it. When one reaches by reflex for a bumped stretched fishing line this can result in minor sometimes painful cuts.

If repelling deer and other wild critters is your intent than a method Geoff Lawton made a two minute video about might be worth your time if practical. I will post the link below. If finding parts is a matter of need, Bartering with old farmers and fence post friends is ideal. The method in the video is memorable, and non lethal learning experience for most any wild animal. good luck. Larry

 
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I don't know how to get away from plastic entirely, but I'm always on the lookout for plastics I can replace with more sustainable, less toxic options. Even if this works (and it sure seems to for some people -- I've read the same accounts), I'd feel like I was taking a step backward.
 
steward
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I have used a single-strand string as a temporary fence.

It worked while it was there.

Here are some threads on keeping deer out

https://permies.com/t/7921/Fishing-line-deer

https://permies.com/t/84147/Building-fishing-line-fence

https://permies.com/t/85069/Keeping-chickens-fishing-line-fence

https://permies.com/t/9842/permie-solutions-deer-fence-issues

A double fence is the one I have heard has success:

https://permies.com/t/132316/Double-Fences-Deer
 
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Location: Ozarks zone 7 alluvial, clay/loam with few rocks 50" yearly rain
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I once tried fishing line for deer.
We had a lot of old line already and had got as far as tall steel fence posts for the garden but only could afford a short 2' rabbit fence at the time.  It was easy to attach to the posts and circle the garden...it worked for a few days.
It seems like anything we tried for deer worked but only briefly.

Best and most reliable was 6' welded wire and then strung wire another three feet on extensions to total nine feet.  The garden was safe for years

Now, on the edge of town all of our neighbor's dogs are the deer deterent.
 
John F Dean
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Hi Judith,

Great point!!  I found out a long time ago that a good dog is the best garden protection.
 
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I get the most damage from little pests: packrats, rabbits, foxes, voles, mice.   I've seen a lot of damage attributed to larger animals that was actually done by the little guys.  No way will fishing line keep the little critters out.
 
pollinator
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well I'll be darned, it works and everything!

 
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