How High Do Deer Jump?

by Jenn Smith August 17, 2020

White-tailed deer are very graceful animals and will do just about anything to reach plants in organic gardens. Deer can jump high; but just how high is up for debate. Some individuals claim that deer will jump 10 feet in the air while others claim they've seen whitetails leap over 15 feet. Regardless of the exact height, we can all agree that white-tailed deer are athletic jumpers.

Typically, deer will not attempt a jump over 7 feet high if they cannot see what is on the other side of a deer fence. This is due, in part, to their poor daytime vision and means that they will become skittish around cliffs and hills.

The best fence height for deer deterrence in gardens is 7.5-8' high. This height helps reduce the sight of deer on lawns and gardens and protect plants from deer browsing.