FARMING PRACTICES

The DEP's Division of Fish and Wildlife recommends the following farming practices for protecting corn and grain crops, orchards, vegetable gardens and compost piles, apiaries and livestock from depredation by black bears:

• Livestock pens, beehives, vegetable gardens and compost piles should be located at least 50 yards from forest tree lines, wetlands, or other cover for bears.

• Crops, such as sweet corn, field corn or grain, should be planted as far away as possible from forest tree lines, wetlands, or other cover for bears.

• Keep areas around livestock, crops, beehives, orchards, gardens and compost piles well mowed to reduce cover for bears.

• Black bears may be repelled by installing mechanical scare devices around livestock, pastures, crops, beehives, orchards, gardens or compost piles, which activate by a motion-sensing device. Scare devices include noise-making pyrotechnics, electronic sirens, strobe lights and noise generators.

• Electric fencing is the most effective and efficient method of preventing bear damage to livestock, beehives, crops, silage bags, orchards, gardens and compost piles. Fencing is only effective if it is properly installed and maintained.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

Protecting Livestock

• Livestock feed should not be left out overnight unless enclosed in a certified bear-resistant container (www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearcont.htm). Store feed in a secure area.

• Carcasses of dead animals should be properly disposed of or destroyed to prevent black bears from scavenging near susceptible livestock or crops.

• Farmers with fruit trees should recognize that bears will be attracted to any fruit left on the ground. To minimize bear activity, pick up any fruit that falls from trees daily. Discard fruit in certified bear-resistant garbage containers (www.njfishandwildlife.com/bearcont.htm).

• Individual trees may be protected by using proper fencing techniques, such as electric fencing, if the limbs, leaves, and fruit are at least eight feet off the ground.

Protecting Gardens/Compost Piles

• Harvest gardens immediately as vegetables mature. Keep gardens free of vegetable wastes.

• Do not place meat, dairy or sweet foods in compost or mulch piles. Adding lime can reduce odors and help decomposition.

Nuisance Control Measures

Depredation permits are available to eligible farmers who are experiencing crop and livestock depredation by black bears. For more information, contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).

ELECTRIC FENCING CONSTRUCTION

Properly installed electric fencing is the most effective and efficient method of preventing bear damage to livestock, beehives, crops, silage bags, orchards, gardens and compost piles.

The Division's Wildlife Control Unit is available to provide on-site assistance with fence construction to those interested in installing electric fencing to prevent bear damage to beehives, agriculture crops and livestock. For more information, contact the Division of Fish and Wildlife at 1-877-WARN DEP (1-877-927-6337).

Construction

Fence construction should be simple and as strong as possible. Detailed instructions on properly installing temporary or permanent electric fencing are provided in the guide Bears and Electric Fencing: A Starter's Guide for Using Electric Fencing to Deter Bears, by Kim Annis, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Bear Management Specialist.

The following is an overview of a general method for installing an easy to erect electric fence that is effective in most cases.

• The electric fence should be placed 4 to 5 feet away from the structure that is being protected (beehives, shed, rabbit hutch, etc.).

• The fence and protected structure should be placed away from any trees, which a bear could climb and then drop down into the fenced-in area.

  

• Drive the corner posts of the fence. Use wooden posts and reinforce them with braces.

• Remove grass and weeds in an 18 inch strip along the fence line. Spray the cleared area with an herbicide to prevent the return of vegetation. Do not spray wider than 18 inches because the bear will be better grounded if it is standing on grass.

• Use at least five strands of high tensile wire at 4 inches, 16 inches, 26 inches, 36 inches and 48 inches above the ground. The fence needs to be at least 4 feet high and the wires need to be spaced close enough so that cubs are discouraged from entering the fence.

• If the fence is to be permanent, it is best to use steel wire and solid wooden corner posts for sturdier protection. If the location is not permanent, polywire is more effective than polytape

• Stretch the wires to eliminate sagging. Use stones or weights to keep the wires at the correct heights when going over low areas.

• Leave extra wire at the knot so it can be wrapped around the lower wire to complete the circuit.

• Use an energizer with a minimum joule rating of 0.7 and a voltage output of at least 6,000 volts. Verify this with a voltage meter to make sure sufficient current is running through each strand. Energizers should be compatible with the type of wire used. Check the manufacturer's recommendations to be sure that all the requirements are met.

• Locate the fence posts 12 feet to 15 feet along the fence line. Install the insulators and wire.

• Energize all wires in the fence system. When possible, use direct current. If needed, after the initial two months, switch to battery or solar power. The battery should be located inside the enclosure and it should be at least a 70-amp hour battery.

• Drive the ground rod to a minimum depth of 6 feet in moist soil.

Baiting the Fence Bait the wires on the electric fence to direct a mild shock onto the muzzle area of a black bear. This makes the fence much more effective, regardless of the size of the bear. The fence should be baited on all sides at 3 feet high, so it is at eye/nose level for a bear. Bait the wires on all sides with bacon wrapped around the wire. If crows are observed taking the bacon, use peanut butter wrapped in tin foil. When a bear grabs the bait, it will get a shock to its tongue and mouth.

Apiary photos courtesy of Landi Simone of Gooserock Farm.

Maintenance The following tips are offered to ensure proper maintenance and effectiveness of your electric fence. Every time you visit the site, and at least one a week, check the following:

• Make sure the wires are tight.

• Change the batteries as needed.

• Ensure solar-powered chargers are positioned properly and are not located in the shade.

• Check voltage or every hot (+) wire with a voltage meter.

• Drop loops in wires are beneficial.

• Marine battery terminals and lead composition eyelets resist corrosion.

• Keep wires baited at all times.

• Remove vegetation beneath the fence that may be touching the wires and any debris, like branches, that may fall on the fence.

USDA Electric Fencing Diagram (.jpg, 46kb) USDA Electric Fencing Diagram (.pdf, 167kb)

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Electric Fencing Resources

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks "Bears and Electric Fencing: A Starter's Guide for Using Electric Fencing to Deter Bears":
http://fwpiis.mt.gov/content/getItem.aspx?id=48893

Living with Wildlife Foundation's Electric Fencing Guide:
www.lwwf.org/Living%20with%20Predators_resource_guides.htm

Electric Fencing Supplies

Gallagher Animal Management Systems
Regional Contact: Greg Miller
315-882-8274
800-531-5908
info@gallagheruse.com
www.gallagherusa.com

Fi-Shock
800-800-1819
fishock@woodstream.com
www.fishock.com