I have one section of standard six feet (1.8m) high solid board fence that my herd has never tried to jump. My theory is that there are two reasons for this. One is that the outside of the fence is thick with brush and scrub trees, so they can't get a good run at the fence - I know they can and do jump this type of fence in open areas. The other is that they can't see over it. If deer can't see a safe landing, they won't jump unless they are in complete panic mode.
When deer get into a fenced area, they can do a lot of damage to themselves, the fencing and anything around it while frantically trying to get out. Offering them an open gate does absolutely no good unless that's how they got in. No opening exists for a panicked deer except the one they used to enter an area. If they go completely berserk, they won't even think of using that opening. They will keep throwing themselves on the fence until they break through it.
There are several fencing options, including solid board, welded wire, various nets and electric fences. They all have their plusses and minuses. Those who have electric fences swear by them, but you need to have some open area to install one because they will short out if vegetation grows up around them and touches the wires. Electric fencing may not be the best choice if there are small children around, but if you can install it, it is effective.
Welded wire on metal or sturdy wood posts set in concrete is likely the most long lasting and maintenance free option, but it's also expensive and requires someone who can dig post holes and deal with concrete, which any fence company can do.
Since our budget didn't stretch to professional fence installation and post holes and concrete were beyond my capabilities, I opted for a combination of materials that I either had on hand or could obtain for relatively little money and could physically handle by myself.
My Deer Fence
My deer fence is not a thing of beauty, but it gets the job done.
Apart from one section that is rather out in the open, it mostly fades into the background - except for the bamboo poles.
If I had time, I'd spray paint them black so they'd disappear.
The fence is ten feet (3m) tall. This is a bit of overkill, but since the north side of the property has been a deer trail forever and the neighbor's property on the west side is fairly flat and open, providing a nice running start, I wanted to err on the side of caution.
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