This past summer, we installed an electric fence around our front lawn and perenial garden and it was successful in keeping the little darlings out. It was surprising (pleasantly) because even when everything else was brown and my lawn and flower garden were green, they stayed away. We often watched them browse along the outside of the fence - 2 does and 4 fawns one evening at suppertime -- without trying to come inside. The fence was a really mickey-mouse installation. Box on the house near an electric socket. DH put in a ground stake, then we strung the wire around the area we wanted to protect, ending on the house at the other end. We were able to install it in a way that wasn't ugly -- only a bit of the wire and a couple of plastic stakes were easily seen. It was a real pleasure to be able to enjoy my garden. I took the fence down a couple of weeks ago for the winter and immediately they resumed munching on hostas and heucheras. I know this isn't as totally protective as a proper deer fence, but we can't do that on our property and this was a good deterrent.