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3D Fence Deters Wildlife
Livestock producers who prefer that their crops go to feed livestock rather than wildlife may want to try a new 3D fence design from Canada.
  The design is simple - add a second, one-strand fence outside an existing fence. The key is to have it at a different height than the main fence and about 3 ft. away. Because deer, elk and moose have eyes on the sides of their head, they have poor depth perception. The varying height, depth and width of the fence gives it a 3D effect that confuses them so they’ll go around that field instead of through it.
  Electrifying the outside fence makes it even more effective, according to project results from a study by the Peace Country Beef and Forage Association in Alberta, Canada. They tried the 3D concept in a variety of settings and had the best results when electrified.
  Though researchers say that electrifying the fence is important, Spirit River, Alberta, farmer Lawrence Andruchiw says he doesn’t think it’s necessary. Just touching the wire trips animals up, he says, and they choose new paths. He went a step farther and placed single wire fences 3 ft. away and 3 ft. off the ground on both sides of part of his existing fence where there was a game trail.
  The only time he has had a problem is when a herd of elk hits the fence at once.
  The 3D fence can be set up selectively, where there have been wildlife problems or game trails, for example.
  For more information, check out the study at www.peaceforage.bc.ca.



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2015 - Volume #39, Issue #5