Abstract: A tailgate vent and deflector for use with a vehicle having an open top carrying compartment for allowing the passage of air through and around the tailgate when the compartment is empty thereby relieving the force of the wind on the tailgate as the vehicle moves along the road, but preventing the passage of material from the compartment. The tailgate includes at least one opening and a material shield is positioned in the compartment extending downwardly from above the opening to adjacent the bottom of the opening for preventing material in the compartment from moving through the opening and the shield forms an air passage between the opening and the compartment for allowing the passage of air through the tailgate from the compartment as well as deflecting a portion of the air out of the compartment.