Wildlife Exclusion with ElectroBraid™

Table of Contents

A. ElectroBraid™ as a Wildlife Fence
B. Wild Animals and ElectroBraid™
C. Wildlife Fence Designs and Applications
D. Installation
E. Maintenance
F. Planning and Installation Tips

A. ElectroBraid™ as a Wildlife Fence

ElectroBraid™ is a durable, permanent electric fence which can be easily relocated. It is very cost-effective to exclude deer, moose, elk, caribou, bear, coyote and other animals from crops, airfields and highways.  

The results of extensive Wildlife Field Trials are covered in detailed reports.

Developed to contain horses safely, ElectroBraid™ has particular value for wildlife management.  Field trials confirm that all animals see ElectroBraid™ clearly.   Each investigates with its nose first, receives a painful, but harmless shock, and has no further desire to approach the fence again.  Unlike high tensile wire (which animals don’t see) and other electric fences, ElectroBraid™ is strong and resilient - - animals can’t break it!

ElectroBraid has been tested by various government agencies:

• The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Wildlife Research Center (NWRC) has rigorously tested ElectroBraid™ in trials conducted for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).   The NWRC found a 4-foot high ElectroBraid™ fence is better than 99% effective at keeping hungry deer in February-March from feeding troughs supplied with whole-kernel corn.

• Both the US Air Force and the US Navy have approved ElectroBraid™ to protect against aircraft deer-strikes.    Little Rock Air Force Base deployed the first ElectroBraid™ airport runway fence in August 1999. 

• Deer Exclusion at Airports by Transport Canada recommends ElectroBraid™.

• The Newfoundland Government tested ElectroBraid™ with caribou and moose.  ElectroBraid™ was 99.6% effective in protecting alfalfa fields during the 1999 caribou migration in western Newfoundland.  It was 100% effective in excluding moose from cabbage crops in six separate growing season trials by the Newfoundland Crop Insurance Agency during 2000 and 2001.

• Elk and deer have been 100% excluded, for three years, from the lush green grass of an international polo field at the Mannix ranch south of Calgary, notwithstanding thousands of ungulate footprints that surround the polo field every spring.

• In the fall of 2000, ElectroBraid™ was installed on five kilometers of highway, north of Bathurst, NB.  The selected highway has one of the highest moose/vehicle collision rates in the province, including at least one human fatality. The project is administered by a Working Group of Provincial and Municipal government officials. The fence was 98% effective in excluding moose over the first 5 years.

B.  Wild Animals and ElectroBraid™  

• ElectroBraid™ is both a psychological deterrent and a resilient, physical barrier.  Deer can jump a 12-foot barrier deer fence.  Yet a 4-foot high ElectroBraid™ fence was more than 99% effective in excluding deer from feeding on fresh kernel corn in trials by the USDA National Wildlife Research Center.

• ElectroBraid™ is highly visible.  Instead of accidentally running into the fence, and breaking it, animals clearly see ElectroBraid™.  Every animal investigates first with its nose!  One severe shock discourages it from investigating further.

  • When an animal approaches an ElectroBraid™ fence, it is inclined, first, to try to go under the bottom Braid™ or, alternatively, to step between two strands of Braid™.  If the Braid™ is closely spaced, it will check one strand of Braid™ with its nose.  Even deer never seem to want to jump it.  Deer will only jump ElectroBraid™ in fear for life, such as when chased by a predator, or a man in a truck.  In that case, invariably, the deer keeps right on going and jumps out the other side.

• ElectroBraid™ is strong and resilient, like the ropes in a boxing ring.  Even a bull moose can tangle its horns in ElectroBraid™, and cannot break it.  A horse can hit ElectroBraid™ at full gallop and be bounced back; neither the horse, nor the Braid™ is damaged.

• Animals, from big to small, respect ElectroBraid™.   Elephants hate electric shock. Bears can’t break ElectroBraid™ and, once shocked, leave ElectroBraid™ alone. Herds of buffalo bison and migrating caribou can be effectively controlled.

  • Wolves, coyotes, wolverines, alligators, iguana, pigs, skunks and raccoons all respect ElectroBraid™.  Every animal investigates first with its nose, gets shocked and stays away.

C. Wildlife Fence Designs and Applications

• 4-foot high, 5-Braid™ Deer Exclusion Fence (10-inch spacing): Has proven 99% effective to exclude deer habituated to feed on corn. Recommended to exclude deer from airport runways, highways and crops.

• 5-foot high, 5-Braid™ Moose Exclusion Fence (12-inch spacing): Has been 98% to 100% effective in trials to date to exclude moose from cabbage crops, commercial market gardens, private gardens and highways.

• 7-foot high, 9-Braid™ Exclusion Fence: Braid™ spaced 6”, 6”, 6”, 6”, 6”, 6”, 12”, 12” and 12”.  Designed to exclude all animals both large and small.

• 2-Braid™ Forestry Fence, strung tree-to-tree: To protect plant re-generation of forest clear cuts from predation by deer until seedlings sufficiently mature. Can be strung tree-to-tree on insulators strapped, not nailed, to trees.  Can be relocated and reused. Powered by solar energizers.  Also useful for riparian zone protection.

  NOTE: For special fence designs to suit different animals and circumstances, call 1-888-430-3330 to talk to one of our ElectroBraid™ Fence Consultants.

  ACCESSORIES

• Geotek™ Fiberglass Post Systems: Three 2-inch dia., hollow fiberglass posts are arranged in a tripod and attached by set screws to augurs installed underground.  This tripod is used for corners, ends and braced line posts.  The standard line post is a 7/8-inch solid fiberglass post pounded 2-feet into the ground.  Geotek™ posts are covered by a 25-year performance warranty.

• Speedrite™ Low-Impedance Energizers: Powered by Mains or Solar power.  Heavy duty, low-impedance energizers designed and made by Tru-Test, Inc., New Zealand.

• ElectroBraid™ Fence Minder™: Monitors the voltage on your fence.  If the voltage drops below a pre-set voltage for any reason, including vandalism, the Fence Minder™ will instantly activate a siren or flashing light and/or auto-dial three pre-set phone numbers to warn you that your fence is down.

D.Installation

• ElectroBraid™ can be self-installed. Use simple hand tools.  You don’t need a professional contractor.  Savings are substantial compared to installing woven wire or chain link fence through woods and over rough terrain.

• Our Company can manage major installations throughout the USA and Canada. We have experienced installation crew chiefs.  Our estimates are based on prior site inspection. Call 1-888-430-3330 to discuss.

E. Maintenance

• Repairs are simple and easily done by hand.

• The cost of routine maintenance is very low: ElectroBraid™ can tolerate considerable weed and plant growth with very little loss of power.  Grass and weeds generally need cutting once a year.

• WARRANTY: ElectroBraid™ is tough and durable and has a 25-year Performance Warranty. ElectroBraid™ will not rust, rot, lose strength due to sunlight or weathering or break in a normal permanent fence installation.

• Check the energizer and the fence voltage on a regular schedule; take action if required.

• Walk the fence line and visually inspect for possible damage or shifted brace posts.

• Cut weeds and grass (generally once per year); remove fallen branches

F. Planning and Installation Tips

• Identify all logistical and environmental features and concerns:

  • Topography: Woodlots, marshes, streams, ponds, drainage ditches, and potential flood areas.
  • Underground services: gas, hydro, water, telecommunications.
  • Access: Exits, entrances, gates and future fence extensions.
  • Regulations and approvals: environmental and engineering; federal, state and municipal; FAA, Natural Resources, Wildlife, Fire, Police.

 

• Plan the fence on paper:

• Select the height and Braid™ separation for your specific purpose.
• Plan the fence in detail and estimate the materials required.
• Call 1-888-430-3330 for experienced technical assistance.

 

• Stake out the fence plan in the field and commence installation:

• Install corner posts and brace posts, dip posts (lowest points) and rise posts.
• Install one line of Braid™ to act as a sight line.
• Install all line posts, pre-marked for Braid™ height, with clips.
• Complete the Braid™ installation.
• Install the energizer, ground rods and Fence Minder™
• Final inspection.

 

• Ground the second from the top line of Braid™:

• Install a ground rod every 1300 feet, or as required to properly ground the fence. 
• Select areas for ground rods that will be damp or wet year-round.
• Connect the ground rods to the grounded line of Braid™.

 

• Install Cut-off Switches in the lower lines of Braid™: Power to the lower lines should be easy to turn off if there is flooding, or in winter, if wet snow becomes a problem and drains power from the fence. Dry snow is not a problem.

• ElectroBraid™ can be added to a wire or wood fence system: To deploy an electric shock at nose level.

• Buy a high-joule, low-impedence energizer of the type approved for safety by UL or CSA.  Shock values must be high. Better a serious jolt than a “bee-sting” to ensure the deer will not challenge the ElectroBraid™ again.

• Deer teach their young.  Do not let deer learn bad habits. A license to cull deer should be secured if necessary.

• Leave a 5 to 10 foot corridor to separate fence from forest. To allow space for deer to see the fence and change direction when in flight.

• Keep your fence energized at all times. Never give deer the opportunity to learn to jump or to step through ElectroBraid™ when the fence is not electrified.

• Use existing trees for fence posts.

• Hang electric fence warning signs at least every 300 feet. Or as required by local laws and ordinances.