Deer in the orchard

Stefan: You mention strategies for rabbits & voles in your video. I was wondering, however, what your experiences with deer have been, and any strategies for mitigating the impact they have on your orchard. Do you have fences or not? Loved the video and all the specifics it contained. Thanks!

Rob Stenger wrote:Stefan: You mention strategies for rabbits & voles in your video. I was wondering, however, what your experiences with deer have been, and any strategies for mitigating the impact they have on your orchard. Do you have fences or not? Loved the video and all the specifics it contained. Thanks!

Rob our experience has been one deer in 20 years and we just chased it out. We are blessed with a 5' frost fence with barb wire above and below and are next to the town so no deer pressure. I would go with Premier fencing systems for deer, especially the 3D fence. Never tried it but it makes sense, and per foot a reasonable cost.
So fence or get eaten. Forget all the 'repellents' deer habituate to any stimulus in their habitat quickly. They NEVER forget an electric fence shock, at least not after the second time!

Stefan Sobkowiak wrote:

Rob Stenger wrote:Stefan: You mention strategies for rabbits & voles in your video. I was wondering, however, what your experiences with deer have been, and any strategies for mitigating the impact they have on your orchard. Do you have fences or not? Loved the video and all the specifics it contained. Thanks!

Rob our experience has been one deer in 20 years and we just chased it out. We are blessed with a 5' frost fence with barb wire above and below and are next to the town so no deer pressure. I would go with Premier fencing systems for deer, especially the 3D fence. Never tried it but it makes sense, and per foot a reasonable cost.
So fence or get eaten. Forget all the 'repellents' deer habituate to any stimulus in their habitat quickly. They NEVER forget an electric fence shock, at least not after the second time!

Stephan,

Thanks for your contribution to this site and the permaculture world!

I am wondering if you feel your success depends highly on the fence system you have or if the traditional deer browse line of up to 5 feet of your trees would be acceptable? There would be losses in yield but some have said a reduction in pests reaching from the ground.

Thanks again! (Keep up the good typing, you're almost home!)