Effectiveness of a Perceived Solid Barrier as an Exclusion Fence to Prevent White-Tailed Deer Damage
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Location
Hot Springs, AR
Start Date
6-4-2003 12:00 AM
Description
We hypothesized that a visually solid barrier of cloth would provide an effective exclusion fence for free ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Three plots consisting of 2, 10 m x 10 m squares were established in pastures. Data were collected daily for consumption of com provided (2.27 kg) and events recorded by infrared game monitors. Following construction of the burlap fence at 1.7 m height, corn consumption decreased (0.07 ± 0.01 kg/day, P < .001). The number of Infrared monitor events recorded also decreased within the enclosures (2.13 ± 0.04 events/day, P < .001) compared to controls (46.0 ± 2.2 events/day). During the second stage of the experiment, two of the three plots were reestablished 45 days later. Fence heights began at 65 cm and were raised 15 cm each 5 days, until reaching 1.7 m. At 1.7 m, corn consumption decreased by 30% (1.56 ± 0.23 kg/day, P < .01). The number of infrared monitor-recorded events was also lower at fence heights >65 cm (P < .03). Results indicate that a visually solid barrier has potential to be an effective exclusion fence.
Recommended Citation
Gallagher, G. R., Keen, H. A., & Prince, R. H. (2003). Effectiveness of a perceived solid barrier as an exclusion fence to prevent white-tailed deer damage. In Fagerstone, K.A. & Witmer, G.W. (Eds.), The Tenth Wildlife Damage Management Conference (23-28). Hot Springs, AR: National Wildlife Research Center.
Included in
Effectiveness of a Perceived Solid Barrier as an Exclusion Fence to Prevent White-Tailed Deer Damage
Hot Springs, AR
We hypothesized that a visually solid barrier of cloth would provide an effective exclusion fence for free ranging white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Three plots consisting of 2, 10 m x 10 m squares were established in pastures. Data were collected daily for consumption of com provided (2.27 kg) and events recorded by infrared game monitors. Following construction of the burlap fence at 1.7 m height, corn consumption decreased (0.07 ± 0.01 kg/day, P < .001). The number of Infrared monitor events recorded also decreased within the enclosures (2.13 ± 0.04 events/day, P < .001) compared to controls (46.0 ± 2.2 events/day). During the second stage of the experiment, two of the three plots were reestablished 45 days later. Fence heights began at 65 cm and were raised 15 cm each 5 days, until reaching 1.7 m. At 1.7 m, corn consumption decreased by 30% (1.56 ± 0.23 kg/day, P < .01). The number of infrared monitor-recorded events was also lower at fence heights >65 cm (P < .03). Results indicate that a visually solid barrier has potential to be an effective exclusion fence.