Barrier fencing in wildlife management

Barrier fences have been used to control animal and human depredations since ancient times. They have exerted considerable influence upon the culture of the "protected" areas even though protection was rarely complete. The following materials have been used in construction of fences: earth, vegetative materials, wire, electric shock, and synthetic materials. Fence designs must consider the size, strength, intelligence and/or instinct, and physical agility of the species to be repelled as well as the attraction of the crop or area for potential depredators. Against deer, the 8-foot upright, vertical overhanging, outrigger and sloping fences are more successful than electric fences. The larger predators are difficult to control with fencing. Net wire fencing of ½-inch mesh is needed to keep all small predators out of the poultry yard. An L-shaped poultry netting fence topped with a hot wire has been found generally successful in protecting field crops against both carnivores and rodents. Lagomorphs can be contained with fences 30 to 36 inches high, but they must be buried at least 6 inches underground to prevent digging under