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Throughout the state of New Jersey, deer have caused
serious damage to young trees by feeding on the foliage,
as well as the fruit and buds on older trees. Deer will also
cause damage and break trees by rubbing antlers against
shoots and limbs.
The New Jersey deer herd is owned by the State of
New Jersey and is managed by New Jersey DEP,
Department of Fish, Game, and Wildlife. If you are
having damage on your farm or anticipate damage you
must contact the Department of Fish, Game, and Wildlife.
After inspecting your orchard and verifying a high level of
damage, several options are available. They may issue a
special permit to hunt deer, suggest other control
measures and provide fencing materials.
One farmer and as many as 10 agents (friends of the
farmer) may be placed on the permit to kill or assist in the
elimination of problem deer. The New Jersey Division
of Fish, Game and Wildlifecan be contacted by writing
them at Clinton Wildlife Management Area, 7 Van
Syckles Road, Hampton, New Jersey 08827, or by
calling (908) 735-8793.
In addition, the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment
Station and Cook College, Rutgers, the State University,
has established the Wildlife Damage Control Center,
which is based at the Rutgers NJAES Clifford E. and
Melda C. Snyder Research and Extension Farm, located
at 140 Locust Grove Road, Pittstown, New Jersey 08867
(908) 730-9419. The mission of the Center for Wildlife
Damage Control is to enhance the quality of life for all
New Jersey residents by engaging in research, education,
and outreach designed to address conflicts between the
needs of wildlife and society.
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Fencing is the only permanent solution to deer
control. Even so, no fence is 100% effective. Deer that
learn how to penetrate the fence must be destroyed. The
state will first survey your site. If sufficient injury is
present, fencing may be provided if available by
Department of Fish, Game, and Wildlife. Either high
tensile wire for constructing an Electric High Tensile wire
fence, or woven wire fencing are available. For electric
fencing, a minimum of 7 wires utilizing a 6-foot high
fence is needed. For woven wire, a 7-foot high fence as a
minimum is needed. The state will cost-share in the
construction of the fence by providing the High Tensile or
Woven Wire. The farmer provides all other materials and
labor necessary for construction and maintenance. There
is very limited fencing available from the Division of
Fish, Game, and Wildlife. Information on the fencing
program can be acquired by calling the following:
North Jersey: (908) 735-8793
Central Jersey: (609) 259-7955
South Jersey: (609) 629-7224
The Vertical 7-Wire Deer Fence.Copies of fact
sheet FS151, available from your local county agricultural
agent, detail the electric fence specifications and
construction tips. Based on technology developed in New
Zealand and Australia, electric fencing is a cost-effective
means of permanently solving the deer control problem for
most growers. Commercial fruit growers in Pennsylvania
and New Jersey have used this fence with excellent
results.
Vertical 7-Wire fences are built with pressure-treated
pine posts, high-tensile wire (200,000 psi, 12.5 gauge),
and special accessories to maintain 250-pound wire
tension. They are charged with a high-voltage,
low-impedance energizer. These materials eliminate
many of the problems associated with maintenance of
conventional electric fences. High-tensile wire can absorb
the impact of deer, trees or limbs, and farm equipment
without stretching or breaking.
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