Trystan Casey
Bears are large, powerful animals with sharp claws that can wreak havoc on your property, especially if they are scavenging for food. They can break fences, get into trash cans, enter sheds or garages, damage bird feeders, and raid campsites. Electric fencing is a safe and effective way to deter bears from your property and prevent damage. Before installing an electric fence, it is important to consider the length of the fence, the environment, and whether it will be used during the winter. The fence should be properly grounded, and it is crucial to prevent vegetation and debris from touching the fence. This paragraph introduces the topic of how to build an electric fence to deter bears and provides some context on the potential damage bears can cause and the benefits of electric fencing.
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What You'll Learn
- Planning: Determine the length, number of gates, and layout of the fence
- Materials: Select energizer, grounding rod, posts, and wires
- Installation: Follow instructions for energizer placement and wiring
- Activation: Use a voltage meter to check for proper grounding and voltage
- Maintenance: Regularly check for vegetation, debris, and sagging wires
Planning: Determine the length, number of gates, and layout of the fence
Planning is a crucial step in building an effective electric fence to deter bears. Here are some detailed guidelines for determining the length, number of gates, and layout of the fence:
Length of the Fence:
The length of your electric bear fence will depend on the area you want to enclose and protect. Consider the specific areas you want to protect, such as beehives, dumpsters, animal enclosures, or campsites. Measure the perimeter of these areas to determine the required length of your fence.
Number of Gates:
Determine how many entry and exit points you need along the fence. Gates are necessary for human access and movement. Plan for at least one primary gate and consider any additional gates required for convenience or specific purposes, such as vehicle access. Ensure that you include enough posts near the gates to provide stability and prevent sagging of the fence wire.
Layout of the Fence:
The layout of your electric bear fence should be carefully designed to ensure effectiveness and safety. Consider the following factors when planning the layout:
- Environment and Soil Type: Assess the environment and soil type in the area where you'll be installing the fence. Moisture in the soil is necessary for conducting electricity, so consider the dryness or wetness of the soil. Also, take into account the conductivity of different soil types; sand or gravel are poor conductors, while frozen soil will also affect conductivity.
- Visibility of the Fence: Opt for highly visible materials, such as white tape or poly wire, to ensure that bears can see the fence clearly. This visibility increases the likelihood of the bear investigating the fence by smelling, mouthing, or licking it, which is essential for delivering a shock.
- Fence Design: Consider the shape of your fence, such as a square or hexagonal design. A hexagonal design with six posts can provide better stability and reduce sagging compared to a square design with four posts.
- Human Traffic and Accessibility: Think about the expected human traffic near the fence and ensure that the layout allows for safe movement and accessibility for people.
- Proximity to Attractants: Keep attractants, such as food sources or trash bins, at a distance of at least 3 to 5 feet from the fence line. This distance ensures that bears cannot reach through the fence to access these attractants.
- Maintenance and Vegetation: Plan for ongoing maintenance to prevent vegetation growth or debris from interfering with the fence. Regularly check the fence line and connections to ensure optimal performance.
By carefully considering these factors, you can effectively plan the length, number of gates, and layout of your electric bear fence, ensuring a successful deterrent against bear incursions.
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Materials: Select energizer, grounding rod, posts, and wires
The energizer (also called a fencer) is the cornerstone of any electric fence. It pushes and regulates power through the wires of the fence. Energizers that plug into household current (110 Volts alternating current- AC) also convert the incoming electricity to direct current (DC). Deep-cycling 12-volt marine batteries can also be used as a power source for an energizer, with at least two batteries to swap out while one charges. For electric fences in more remote locations, a solar panel may be the best solution. The energizer must output enough energy to deliver the right voltage along the entire fence.
The grounding rod is a conductive metal rod driven into the ground. The rod attracts the electrical current after it passes through the bear. The power is then returned to the energizer through a wire between the energizer and the grounding rod. Place the grounding rod as close to the energizer as possible and drive it as deep as possible. It may be necessary to drive the rod into the earth at an angle instead of straight down. Make sure you have an additional grounding rod for each 1000 ft.
The posts should be installed with the wires and gates. Make sure your posts and wires are clear of branches or other vegetation. The recommended height for the posts is 60"–72" for a 9–11 wire design, which is the most effective design for deterring bears.
The wires carry the electrical charge, making them the "hot" part of the system. The number of wires depends on the design you choose. A 7-wire design works well to deter both grizzly and black bears, while a 9–11 wire design is most effective when predator activity or risk is high. The wires should be closely spaced and the voltage should be high enough to deter bears.
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Installation: Follow instructions for energizer placement and wiring
The energizer is the foundation of your electric bear fence. It will likely be the most expensive component. If your energizer will be located outdoors, install it inside the fenced area so that it is protected from bears. You may need two short pieces of wire: one between the energizer and the fence, and another between the energizer and the grounding rod. You may be able to use additional pieces of fence wire as connecting wires, or you may need to use lengths of 12 or 14-gauge electrical wire. For permanent installations, standard wire connectors are preferred; for portable units, some people prefer alligator clips. Make sure your connections are secure.
Place the grounding rod as close to the energizer as possible. The grounding rod is a conductive metal rod that is driven into the ground. It attracts the electrical current after it passes through the bear, and the power is then returned to the energizer. To be effective as a deterrent, an electric fence must be properly grounded. The grounding rod should be driven as deep as possible, and it may be necessary to drive it into the earth at an angle instead of straight down. Make sure you have an additional grounding rod for each 1000 ft.
On damp, conductive soils, it generally works well to construct your fence so that all the horizontal fence wires are connected to the positive terminal of your energizer, and a grounding rod is connected to the ground terminal of the energizer. Keep in mind that conductivity will depend on the soil. Sand or gravel are poor conductors, as is frozen soil. Normally conductive soil can dry out with a stretch of good weather. In drier conditions, or on less-conductive soil, it may be beneficial to construct your fence so that every other horizontal fence wire is connected to the positive terminal of your energizer.
Use a voltage meter or fence meter to check your fence for proper grounding and adequate voltage at different places on the fence. Your meter is also useful for tracing fence line shorts and faults.
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Activation: Use a voltage meter to check for proper grounding and voltage
To activate your electric bear fence, you must first ensure that it is properly grounded and energised. This is a crucial step to ensure the fence is effective as a bear deterrent and to maintain safety. You will need a voltage meter or fence meter to check for proper grounding and adequate voltage at different places on the fence.
Firstly, connect the probes of the voltage meter. Connect the black probe to the common (COM) socket of the meter and the red probe to the socket marked for resistance (ohms). Touch the probes together to ensure the meter is working correctly; if the multimeter shows zero resistance, it is functioning properly.
Next, touch the black probe to a known ground, such as the metal chassis of the equipment. Then, touch the wire you want to test for a ground with the red probe. Observe the ground reading: the meter should display a low resistance reading if the wire is properly grounded. If the reading is high, the wire is not grounded and may need to be repaired by a qualified electrician.
It is important to note that you should always prioritise safety when working with electrical systems. Ensure you have the proper safety gear, such as safety goggles, and take necessary precautions, such as turning off the power when changing wiring or addressing potential dangers.
Additionally, the effectiveness of your electric bear fence depends on various factors, including the type of soil. Conductivity depends on the soil type, with sand or gravel being poor conductors, as is frozen soil. Therefore, ensure that your fence is appropriately designed for your specific soil conditions.
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Maintenance: Regularly check for vegetation, debris, and sagging wires
Electric fences require regular maintenance to ensure they remain effective at deterring bears. One key aspect of this maintenance is checking for vegetation, debris, and sagging wires.
Vegetation and debris should be prevented from coming into contact with the electric fence. This can be done by regularly inspecting the fence line and removing any plants or other material that could touch the fence. This is important because vegetation and debris can provide a path to ground for the electricity, reducing the effectiveness of the fence or causing a short circuit.
To prevent sagging wires, it is important to have enough posts to support the fence wire. The distance between posts can affect the amount of sagging, with closer post spacing reducing sagging. In general, a distance of 7 to 10 feet between posts is adequate, but the specific spacing will depend on factors such as the tension of the wire and the weight of any vegetation or debris that may accumulate on the fence.
In addition to checking for vegetation, debris, and sagging wires, it is also important to regularly inspect the connections between the fence wire and the energizer (charger). These connections should be secure and free of corrosion or damage. It is also a good idea to use a voltage meter or fence meter to check the fence for proper grounding and adequate voltage at different places along the fence line. This will help ensure that the fence is functioning properly and delivering a strong enough shock to deter bears effectively.
By regularly maintaining their electric fence and addressing issues such as vegetation, debris, sagging wires, and improper connections, property owners can help ensure the effectiveness of the fence in deterring bears and protecting their assets.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric fence is a bear deterrent that can be used to safely keep bears away from your property and prevent them from causing damage.
The key components of an electric bear fence include an energizer (or charger), a grounding rod, posts, and wires.
When selecting materials, consider the length of your fence, the number of gates, the type of soil, and the amount of human traffic. Choose materials that are sturdy and conductive, such as carbon arrow shafts or fiberglass poles, and ensure you have enough posts to prevent sagging.
Follow the installation directions for your energizer, ensuring it is placed inside the fenced area. Connect the energizer to the fence and grounding rod using wires. Place the grounding rod close to the energizer and drive it deep into the ground. Regularly check your fence line and connections, and prevent vegetation or debris from touching the fence.
Yes, there are alternative methods to deter bears. These include keeping your property clean, ensuring trash is locked, providing protected areas for farm animals, and using bright lights and loud noises to startle bears.
