FarmStewards.ca

Our valleys are crisscrossed with vital fences, to protect crops, deter trespass while defining property boundaries and enclosing pastures. However, these fences may pose hazards for wildlife, hindering their movements and access to resources. Tailoring fence design can mitigate wildlife injuries and reduce damage, offering cost-effective solutions that may save money on future repairs.

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Wire strands, especially when loose or closely spaced, can easily ensnare and injure animals, particularly in challenging conditions like deep snow or steep slopes. This can be especially difficult for young, pregnant, or winter-stressed animals, affecting their chances of survival. Wildlife, including deer and elk, often bear scars from wire barbs, leading to weakened ligaments, strained legs, infections, and potential fatalities. 

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Certain fences, like page wire, can create complete barriers for fawns and calves, separating them from their mothers and the herd, resulting in exposure and dehydration. Page wire may also pose risks to medium-sized animals and livestock, snaring and strangling them. The addition of barbed wire exacerbates these issues, becoming a formidable barrier, particularly for fawns, calves, bighorn sheep, and other animals.