Electric Fence to stop Bear

[jimmyj]

I am guessing the bear got the 3 S treatment.

 

[valley]

Jimmyj, We to have, like you, have raised animals here since 72. Bear come through the property on the way to the river. This is the first killer, I've seen. The bear population has exploded in california and bear are expanding into new area. I like your useing of Electric fence, we will now do the same. If you can tell me by PM what type that would be nice.
I,m not sure what the 3 S treatment is. Thanks Richard

 

[valley]

Yes, I saw it. Probably running tip toe through the garden sprinkling perfumed sachet and going to pride marches. Often wrong, never in doubt.

 

[Barton]

Shoot, Shovel, Shutup

 

[valley]

Thats the first time I,ve heard that. Thats funny! Yep!
Jimmy, Are your fences high tensile? Richard

 

[jimmyj]

Not high tensile, just the cheaper 14 guage galvanized pulled as tight as I could. I buy it when it goes on sale and always have a couple of extra spools in the shed in case of emergency repairs or whatever.

The wire seems to last about 10-12 years before getting rusty and needing to be replaced (who knows why, acid rain maybe??). I have T posts mostly with every 5 one a wood cedar post and all corners are cedar posts braced like you usually see out in the country. We originally got yellow post insulators but I have subsequently found black ones which don't look as ugly. From a distance, the fence is practically invisible.

For larger animals, when we had the cows we put post toppers on the t posts so no critters could rear up and get a post through the ribs. For horses t posts are not advised, at least around here.

I think the fence works great for almost all circumstances but a crazed rogue animal probably would not stop for anything but high speed lead. I always think a fence is as much to keep the livestock in as it is to keep the varmints out.

 

[valley]

I ordered the Energizer today. PARMAK Model S.E. 4, 9.1 joules made in U.S.A. I've heard 12 1/2 ga wire for less breakage. Some people use aluminum. I'm not sure what to use. How do you do gates? I would be very thankful for any help. Richard

 

[jimmyj]

The bigger the wire the better for sure. You have to get some double insulated wire to run under gates. I'm doing one so I'll take a pic for you today and post it.

Basically the double insulated is a wire in a nylon coating that you can bury where you have to run past a driveway or whatever. You can also go way up and over gates but that usually looks kind of ugly.

I'll post a pic later for you. Good luck on your project!!

 

[valley]

You have to electrify the gate. Would you use a braided pigtail so the gate can open and close without fatiguing the wire?
I ordered a FIVE-O-LIGHT TESTER to test the fence. On some sites they say you need a volt meter to test if the fence is working properly. What think you.

 

[jimmyj]

Oh, electrify the gate. Hmmm. I guess I would use the giant "springs" they sell at the co-op. They hook to the fence on either side of the gate opening and are essentially coiled electric fencing. Just stretch over the area and hang.

I have one of the 5 light testers, works fine.