FG9: Deer fencing
Find out about eligibility and requirements for the deer fencing item.
This item is part of Higher Tier Capital Grants 2025. You must read the Capital Grants 2025 guidance to understand the rules and how to apply.
How much you’ll be paid
£10.27 per metre (m).
How this item benefits the environment
Protecting newly created or existing woodland and wood pasture from deer browsing, helping sustain the habitat. This supports biodiversity and carbon capture.
Where you can use this item
You can use this item on woodland and wood pasture with the agreement of the Forestry Commission
You can also use in a Woodland Tree Health Grant in combination with TE5: Supplement for use of individual tree-shelters (with the agreement of the Forestry Commission)
What you must do to use this item
You must:
- install the fence ensuring the specifications meet the requirements set out in the tables below and in the Forestry Commission: Forest fencing guide
- clear debris from the line of the fence
- make the line of the fence smooth enough so the bottom of the fence sits with the ground (there must be no gaps that deer can enter through)
- make sure the fence is regularly inspected
- maintain the fence so deer cannot enter the land until the trees are large enough that they no longer need protecting
- get the agreement of your adviser if installing metal fence posts on land in a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier agreement
Specifications for the fence’s woodwork
| Species of deer | End posts and turning posts metres by centimetres (cm) | Struts metres by centimetres (cm) | Intermediate stakes metres by centimetres (cm) | Maximum stake spacing metres (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roe | 2.8m by 10 to 13cm | 2.5m by 8 to 10cm | 2.5m by 5 to 8cm | 10m |
| Muntjac | 2.8m by 10 to 13cm | 2.5m by 8 to 10cm | 2.5m by 5 to 8cm | 10m |
| Red/sika/fallow | 2.8m by 12 to 18cm | 2.5m by 10 to 13cm | 2.6m by 8 to 10cm | 10m |
Specifications for the height of the fence and the size of the mesh
| Species of deer | Minimum fence height metres (m) | Maximum mesh size millimetres (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Red and sika | 1.8m | 200mm by 300mm |
| Fallow | 1.8m | 200mm by 220mm |
| Roe | 1.5m | 200mm by 150mm |
| Muntjac | 1.5m | 75mm by 75mm |
What the management plan needs to include
You can only use this item on an existing woodland site if your management plan clearly identifies that deer are present and pose a threat to the site. You do not need a woodland management plan where this item is being used to protect newly planted trees using capital item TE4: Supply and plant tree.
Your adviser will adapt the requirements for this item to your site. You should discuss and agree these requirements with them.
Evidence you must keep
You must keep photographs of the completed work and provide with your claim.
You must also keep and provide on request:
- any consents or permissions connected with the work
- receipted invoices or bank statements where a receipted invoice is unavailable
- a Forestry Commission management plan approval letter
Read the record keeping and site visit requirements in the Agreement holder’s guide: Capital Grants, Higher Tier capital grants and Protection and Infrastructure grants for more information.
Items, supplements and actions you can use with this item
Capital items
You can use this item with the following items:
FY6: Restore coppicing in woodland
Supplements
You can use it with these supplements:
FG4: Rabbit fencing supplement
FG5: Fencing supplement – difficult sites
Sustainable Farming Incentive actions
You can use with WOD1: Manage wood pasture and parkland
Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier actions
You can use with these actions:
- CWD20: Create wood pasture
- CWD21: Restore wood pasture and parkland
- CWD22: Manage wood pasture and parkland
Updates to this page
Published 2 April 2015Last updated 3 February 2025 + show all updates
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General improvement for clarity.
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Wood pasture added to 'Where to use this item' and 'How this item will benefit the environment' sections.
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Removal of text confirming FG9 Deer fencing availability under Countryside Stewardship Capital Grants (SFI pilot), as the SFI Capital offer is no longer available.
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This item is now available for Higher Tier Capital Grants
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The Requirements section of this page has been updated
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'Where to use this item' section updated to include detail on SFI pilot.
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Page updated to show latest record keeping
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Updated for 2017 applications.
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Information updated for applications in 2016.
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First published.