Wildlife fencing serves a different purpose from conventional livestock fencing.

In some projects, the objective is to exclude wildlife from orchards, vineyards, crops, or managed areas.

In others, the objective is to allow wildlife to move across a landscape while maintaining livestock containment.

These two objectives can require very different fence designs.

Therefore, wildlife fencing should begin with a clear definition of the project objective:

Exclude wildlife, contain wildlife, or facilitate wildlife passage?

Technical Snapshot

Design Factor	Why It Matters
Target species	Determines height, mesh, and containment requirements
Fence objective	Exclusion and wildlife passage require different designs
Mesh opening	Affects passage and exclusion
Fence height	Important for jumping species
Bottom clearance	Influences passage and under-fence movement
Wire construction	Determines structural performance
Visibility	Can reduce collision and entanglement risks
Terrain	Affects gaps and fence effectiveness
Maintenance	Essential for long-term performance

1. Define the Wildlife Objective

Before selecting woven wire fence, identify what the fence is intended to accomplish.

Wildlife Exclusion

The fence is designed to prevent animals from entering a protected area.

Typical applications include:

• Orchards
• Vineyards
• Crop fields
• Nurseries
• Gardens
• Livestock facilities
• Wildlife-sensitive infrastructure

Wildlife Containment

The fence is intended to contain managed wildlife within a defined area.

Examples can include:

• Deer farms
• Game farms
• Wildlife management facilities

Wildlife-Friendly Fencing

The objective is different:

Keep livestock contained while allowing wildlife to cross the fence safely.

In such situations, woven wire may actually be inappropriate. NRCS guidance identifies woven wire as a barrier to wildlife passage, particularly for fawns, calves, pronghorn, and other animals that cannot easily jump over it.

2. Deer Exclusion

Deer are one of the most common reasons for installing a wildlife exclusion fence.

A physical woven-wire barrier can be highly effective where deer pressure is significant.

For example, the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture provides woven-wire designs for deer exclusion around orchards and vineyards, including designs for both lower and higher deer-pressure conditions.

The main design considerations include:

• Overall fence height
• Mesh configuration
• Bottom clearance
• Fence continuity
• Gate design
• Terrain
• Post stability

A fence that can be easily passed under, through, or over may not provide effective exclusion.

3. Fence Height

Height is particularly important for wildlife exclusion because many species can jump.

For deer exclusion, published designs commonly use significantly taller fences than ordinary livestock fencing.

For example, British Columbia’s deer-exclusion guidance presents designs with total heights of approximately 8 ft and 9.5 ft, depending on deer pressure and construction.

Penn State Extension also describes an 8-foot woven-wire fence as a conventional physical barrier for deer exclusion in orchards.

However:

These are application-specific examples, not a universal wildlife-fence height standard.

The required height depends on the target species, site, pressure level, and project requirements.

4. Mesh Opening

Mesh opening affects whether wildlife can:

• Pass through the fence
• Push through the fence
• Become caught in the mesh
• Reach vegetation on the protected side

For exclusion applications, the lower part of the fence can be particularly important.

A properly configured bottom section helps prevent animals from passing beneath or through the fence.

For wildlife containment, mesh opening should also be evaluated against the size and behavior of the animals being contained.

5. Fixed Knot vs Hinge Joint

Wildlife applications can place greater demands on fence integrity, particularly where the fence forms a perimeter barrier.

Knot construction should therefore be considered together with wire strength and mesh configuration.

British Columbia’s deer-farm perimeter guidance distinguishes between hinge-joint and knotted-joint construction and identifies knotted construction as the preferred choice for certain perimeter applications because of the security of the joint.

This does not mean that fixed knot is automatically the correct choice for every wildlife fence.

The fence construction should match the application and specification.

6. High-Tensile Wire

High-tensile wire can be useful where wildlife exclusion requires a strong, durable fence structure.

It can provide:

• High tensile strength
• Efficient long-distance fencing
• Reduced wire weight for a given strength requirement
• Compatibility with fixed-knot and other fence constructions

However, high tensile does not solve every wildlife-fencing problem.

A strong fence can still fail to exclude wildlife if:

• It is too low
• Animals can pass underneath
• Gates have gaps
• The mesh is inappropriate
• The terrain creates openings

The complete system must therefore be considered.

7. The Bottom of the Fence

The lower edge of a wildlife exclusion fence deserves particular attention.

Animals may attempt to move underneath a fence where:

• The ground is uneven
• The fence follows a slope
• Soil has eroded
• Animals have created gaps
• Vegetation interferes with the fence

British Columbia guidance specifically emphasizes keeping woven wire close to the ground and avoiding gaps caused by terrain irregularities.

Depending on the target species and application, additional buried wire or other measures may be considered.

8. Visibility

Wildlife can collide with fences, particularly when moving quickly.

Visibility can therefore be an important design consideration.

Possible measures include:

• High-visibility top wires
• Fence markers
• Visible battens
• Reflective materials
• Appropriate fence configuration

The objective is not simply to make the fence stronger, but to make it more recognizable to animals where collision is a concern.

NRCS wildlife-friendly fencing guidance recommends design features that improve visibility and passage where appropriate.

9. Wildlife-Friendly Fencing Is Different

This distinction is critical.

If the objective is to allow deer, elk, pronghorn, or other wildlife to cross a fence, a tall woven-wire barrier may be the wrong solution.

Wildlife-friendly designs can use:

• Smooth wire
• Lower top wires
• Greater bottom clearance
• Fewer strands
• Flexible or suspension-style systems
• Seasonal openings
• Wildlife crossing points

For example, an NRCS wildlife-friendly suspension fence uses a limited number of wires and maintains specific top and bottom clearances to facilitate wildlife movement.

In some wildlife corridors, agencies have replaced woven wire with three- or four-strand smooth/barbed-wire systems to improve permeability.

Therefore, “wildlife fence” does not automatically mean woven wire fence.

10. Wildlife Containment

Some projects need to contain managed wildlife rather than exclude wild animals.

Examples include:

• Deer farming
• Game farms
• Wildlife facilities

These applications can require substantially different specifications from ordinary livestock fencing.

For example, Penn State Extension notes that Pennsylvania deer farms require at least an 8-foot perimeter fence and describes woven wire or similar construction as suitable options.

The required specification should always be verified against the applicable local regulations and project requirements.

11. Terrain and Fence Layout

Wildlife exclusion becomes more difficult when terrain creates gaps.

Pay particular attention to:

• Steep slopes
• Drainage channels
• Rock outcrops
• Depressions
• Fence-to-ground gaps
• Gates
• Culverts and water crossings

A fence can have excellent mesh and wire specifications but still fail if animals can simply move around or underneath it.

12. Gates and Openings

Gates are often the weakest point in an otherwise continuous wildlife barrier.

Check:

• Bottom clearance
• Gate height
• Side gaps
• Latch design
• Ground conditions
• Alignment with the fence

For wildlife exclusion, the gate should maintain the same functional barrier as the fence line.

Wildlife Fence Selection Process

Use the following sequence:

Step 1 — Identify the target species

Deer? Elk? Pronghorn? Managed wildlife? Multiple species?

Step 2 — Define the objective

Exclude → Contain → Facilitate passage

Step 3 — Determine required height

Consider jumping ability and project conditions.

Step 4 — Select mesh configuration

Consider animal size, passage, and exclusion requirements.

Step 5 — Select wire construction

Evaluate:

• Diameter
• Tensile strength
• Knot construction

Step 6 — Evaluate the bottom edge

Minimize unwanted gaps where exclusion is required.

Step 7 — Consider visibility

Use appropriate markers or visible components where needed.

Step 8 — Check gates and crossings

Ensure openings do not compromise the fence system.

Step 9 — Confirm local requirements

Wildlife fencing can be subject to regional regulations, environmental requirements, and project-specific specifications.

Common Selection Mistakes

Assuming Taller Is Always Better

Height is important for some exclusion applications, but not every wildlife project requires a tall barrier.

Ignoring the Fence Objective

A fence designed to exclude deer may be completely inappropriate for a wildlife corridor.

Focusing Only on the Mesh

Ground gaps, gates, and terrain can determine whether exclusion actually works.

Ignoring Visibility

A fence that is physically strong may still create collision risks.

Treating All Wildlife as the Same

Different species have different jumping, crawling, and movement behaviors.

Using Livestock Fence Specifications Without Modification

Wildlife exclusion and wildlife-friendly fencing can have fundamentally different design priorities.

Conclusion

Woven wire fence can be an effective solution for wildlife exclusion and selected wildlife-containment applications, particularly where a continuous physical barrier is required.

But wildlife fencing is not simply a stronger version of livestock fencing.

The correct design depends on:

Target Species → Objective → Height → Mesh → Wire → Ground Clearance → Visibility → Installation

Most importantly, distinguish between:

Wildlife Exclusion

and

Wildlife-Friendly Passage

The two objectives can require almost opposite fence designs.

For commercial or engineered projects, the final specification should be based on the target species, site conditions, applicable regulations, and project requirements.

FAQ

Is woven wire fence good for deer?

Yes. Tall woven-wire fencing is widely used for deer exclusion around orchards, vineyards, crops, and other protected areas. The required height and configuration depend on deer pressure and site conditions.

How tall should a deer fence be?

There is no universal height. Published examples commonly use approximately 8 ft or more for physical deer exclusion, but the appropriate height depends on the site and deer pressure.

Is fixed-knot fence suitable for wildlife?

It can be, particularly for applications requiring a secure perimeter. However, knot construction should be selected together with wire, mesh, height, and application requirements.

Is woven wire wildlife-friendly?

Not necessarily. Woven wire can obstruct wildlife movement, particularly for smaller or less capable animals. Where wildlife passage is the objective, lower and more permeable fence designs may be preferable.

Can woven wire fence be used for deer farms?

Yes. Woven wire is used for deer-farm perimeter fencing, but the required height, mesh, joint construction, and local regulatory requirements should be confirmed for the specific operation.