How tall a deer fence needs to be
White-tailed deer are strong jumpers. UMass Extension notes they can clear about 10 feet, and Penn State Extension's standard recommendation for keeping deer out of plantings is an 8-foot woven-wire fence on tall posts, with the wire kept close to the ground so deer can't crawl underneath.
Penn State guidance for a fence around a whole yard is at least 7 feet, and some extension sources suggest going higher where deer pressure is heavy. Height, tight wire and sturdy posts all matter, because deer will push on or under a weak fence.
Sources: Penn State Extension: deer in home fruit plantings, Penn State: protecting yards from deer, UMass Extension: white-tailed deer
