Dam* Deer and Hot Wire . . . Question.

[Kathie in Thorp]

Always have deer on the place, but tis the season where they're thick -- next it'll be elk. We've got a hot wire over the top of our woven wire, and a couple times a week we need to go put it back up because some wild critter has taken it down jumping the fence. I was wondering if putting a couple of those spring-type hot wire gate openers in the line might provide just enough "give" to alleviate the problem. ?? Anyone tried this, or have any other suggestions?

 

[coachg]

I was having a similar issue here in. NE Alabama . I found their main crossing and lowered my strand of hot wire down on side of the fence. They are jumping over and not hitting the hot wire and the cows aren't messing with it ! :cboy:

 

[Alan]

Same problem here Kathie, we have three fence systems on three different chargers. I've given up trying to keep up with the two fences that doesn't have livestock in them at the time, just have to walk the whole system before I move cattle into that system. I find the short about three times a week we're cattle are at. Deer will at least try to go over or in between hot wires, elk just don't give a shyt, some will jump but a lot just goes through it..... for me far worst then deer.

 

[Kathie in Thorp]

It starts with the deer; then come the elk. One of our property lines runs the length along a RR line, so that is very scarey stuff, right there!

 

[Caustic Burno]

Always have deer on the place, but tis the season where they're thick -- next it'll be elk. We've got a hot wire over the top of our woven wire, and a couple times a week we need to go put it back up because some wild critter has taken it down jumping the fence. I was wondering if putting a couple of those spring-type hot wire gate openers in the line might provide just enough "give" to alleviate the problem. ?? Anyone tried this, or have any other suggestions?

Best thing I have found during the rut is tie wrapping surveyor tape along the hot wire so they can see it.
There will still be entanglement that you would think they had tools to do just fewer

 

[Nesikep]

I have the same problem.. I gave up with a hot wire over the top.. if I ever do go back to that I'll use 12 ga high tensile so they bounce off it

 

[dun]

I have the same problem.. I gave up with a hot wire over the top.. if I ever do go back to that I'll use 12 ga high tensile so they bounce off it

You may think they'll bounce off, but they won;t. They'll pull/knock down insulators instead.

 

[Nesikep]

It's dry enough here I don't need insulators.. I'll just staple the top wire to the post. For now I just have battery operated fencers I move around to where I need them, which means I don't need the 'mainline'

 

[D2Cat]

I've used various types of extension springs. I'd insert the spring and let the wire loop around the spring so it keeps a good connection. I've used the springs from a trampoline, and old garage door springs.

 

[fasttommy]

12.5 ga HT wire (200kpsi or more) with high density plastic insulators works good. In my opinion the key is to place posts as far apart as possible to reduce strain on insulators when an animal does hit it. I try to place posts at least 50 feet apart. Doesn't work well when you have hilly ground but with flat ground it does.

Edit: I guess this isn't helpful considering you are dealing with existing fence.