Fencing on Extreme Terrain

[solar]

I haven't posted here in a while, but I think if anyone can answer my questions. someone here can.

I need to run about 1500 to 2000 feet of fencing around my place to keep dogs in and discourage Grizzly bears, wolves and Elk from coming in. The terrain is not only steep, but has so many dips and rises that field fence would be a nightmare of short runs to accomodate the changes in direction.
It needs to be at least 5 1/2 feet high to keep the dogs in and any taller would probably be impossible due to terrain.

Is there some kind of net fencing that is well suited to mean terrain? Has anyone tried to solve this problem with cattle panels? I was thinking the panels would conform to the dips and rises better than field fence. I suppose I could space the T posts every 8 feet or just a little less for overlap at direction changes, then a couple strands of barbed wire on top.

The local farm supply has 50" tall by 16 feet cattle panels for $20. That along with 8' T post spacing will cost a lot more than field fence but might be a bit less work and easier to repair.

I don't want to use electric fence because I'm off grid and just walking the perimeter would be strenuous, especially in the winter.

Any suggestions?

[highlands]

The highway department uses hundreds of miles of a net fencing. Looks like about 1'x1' holes from what I can see driving by. Maybe 6"x6"??? It is out there and should be cheap since they use so much. It is to encourage the deer to stay off the highways. Five or six feet tall. Unfortunately deer jump a lot higher and some still try to cross.

I would still suggest considering electric in addition to the netting fence.

Cheers,

-Walter Jeffries
Sugar Mountain Farm
Pastured Pigs, Sheep & Kids
in the mountains of Vermont
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[Darren]

I can't tell where you live but if it's near a sea coast and there's a fishing fleet nearby, used fish net is cheap. I was once offered a mile of it for $100. That stuff will stop wolves and elk. Maybe not bears if they can climb it. You could easily hang a 15' or higher net if you have existing trees.

Usually that stuff comes available in the fall to winter time frame.

[solar]

I don't think there are any fishing nets for sale around here in Western Montana. If they're made of nylon I imagine UV sunlight rays would ruin them in 5 to 10 years. Sure would be easier to snake across this terrain though.

[uncle Will in In.]

Having 2000 of outside fence around a dog pen would make a huge pen. Would it be more feasable to reduce the size of the pen to an area that would be more esaily fenceable with cattle panels?? To keep some of your wild critters out will take over a foot or two of fence above the panels.

[elkhound]

electrified high tensel is your answer...it will knock the crittrs back from getting in.

search mu name here for pics of said type of fence

[solar]

Originally Posted by uncle Will in In.

Would it be more feasable to reduce the size of the pen to an area that would be more esaily fenceable with cattle panels??

Not really. My homesite is a flat spot on top of a ridge. If I bring the fences closer in, I'll be looking through the fence instead of enjoying the view. Besides, my dogs are energetic and I don't want them out chasing game.

Originally Posted by elkhound

electrified high tensel is your answer...it will knock the crittrs back from getting in.

I may have a strand of electric, but it won't be on very often since I'm off grid. Electric fences are problematic in the timbered mountains during winter.

[texican]

Unless you have hundreds of thousands of dollars, your not going to keep grizzly bears out. I'm thinking 3" pipe fence, ten feet tall, with sucker rod or wire cable, every six inches around the perimeter, and a concrete footer a few feet deep, would be needed to keep wolves and elk out. Even then, they might get in. I think on top of this fence, you had a high powered electric fence system (one that would never fail... Murphys law says it fails on a week long blizzard, and all the 'bad critters' get in and wreak havoc, cause the juice is off).

You 'can' train your dogs. Not easy, especially if they're use to chasing game now... but it can be done...

To keep dogs in, and not getting thru to the other side (the wild side) you'd need an even tighter mesh fence.

And, after every storm, or blow, you'd need to immediately make a fence run, to see if there's something on it.

good luck!

[solar]

I realize I can't keep Grizzlys out, but I'd like to slow them down long enough to get my shotgun. I'm tired of packin heat every time I go from house to barn and looking over my shoulder. Elk won't try to get in a 3 or 4 arce compound unless I'm storing hay.

There is no way to train dogs not to get eaten by wolves, which we have plenty of around here.

[elkhound]

guys i seen a hunting show in the far north where they had all their hunting camps surrounded by electric wire for grizz.

as far as trees and such a high tensel fence is industructable....cut a tree off it and tighten it back up with rachet.a 8 strand fence makes for a formidable fence.i turn black bear as large as 500# with mine.anything gets tangled in ...well it will be there waiting on you...this stuff is tougher than any snare wire.
p.s....i lived in coastal alaska and wouldnt think twice about having this type fence there for the big brownies.





heres the rachets and springs

[elkhound]

ftp://ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/AK/Pub...ct%20Sheet.pdf