opinions on using 20/96/12 wire for deer.

I have above 5 enclosed acres of fence and I am looking to expand with some more wire, I am not breeding more deer than last year, I just want huge pens for the few i have so they can browse and save me on the feed bill. I was wire shopping online the last few days and I can tell you there is some temptation to go for some 20/96/12, over the 20/96/6, Oh that dang price difference, LOL, I love to go cheaper when it is an option. But seriously I am looking for feedback. Is the 12" verticle spacing designed for bigger species like elk? Does anyone use this wire for their deer? I have all 6" verticle spacing on all the wire that is up now and I have never had a single issue with it. Can the bucks do considerably more damage 12" with their antlers if they fight with a wild buck through the fence?

I just want to put up a summer pen for the does and fawns(when the fawns are about a month old) for grazing on the grass and clover. I know one thing though, I have too much money into my herd to skimp on wire, so if this a bad idea let me know, and I will stick to my 6" spacing, Thanks to all, I value your imput.

BAD Idea, In my opion! You will be in for some ripped ear tags for sure and I would not be surprised if something WORSE might happen with fawns in there, Just my opion but.....YOU'R SAVINGS IN THE BEGINIG WILL BE A SHORT LIVED VALUE!!!!!!! But GOOD LUCK..........I know we all want to save were we can.

I have to agree with Wyane......there are better places to save......remember this is the only thing protecting your herd from getting in or out. Not to mention any danger wanting to get in as well. I would not do it either........maybe you could just make the pen a little smaller with the better wire till yo can afford more and then expand it? Lust an idea.......good luck!!

Wait until you can afford the good stuff. I have a pen empty right now because of rut. The gauge was slightly lighter but was labeled deer fence at TSC. Man do I regret that! The knots are loose and slide under antler thrashing so not a good fence for mature antlered deer. Maybe good for a garden but not containment.

Thanks guys, I will absolutely go for the 6" again, I just wanted some of your opinions on the 12" and I am thankful for them. I am not one to skimp on anything for the deer if it endangers them, I have too much invested and they mean a lot to me. I will not be buying any of that wire, I am going to stick to what I have been using. I am blessed to have access to free locust for poles, all i got to do is cut them down, so that saves me a lot of money in itself.

Boy do I wish that I could do it over. I did not do to bad I used 2096-6 STAY-TUFF.



But you need to use 2096-3 STAY-TUFF for your breeder pins



Joe Headley

AFW

I agree with Joe, if we could do it over we'd use the 3" rather than the 6". The last few years we seem to have one yearling that sticks his head through the fence early and tears his new growth up. After that, his yearling rack is ruined and you run a chance of messing pedical up permanently. It costs a little more, but to us, it would have been worth it.