The Fence Post

The Desert Tortoise: Endangered

You may not realize it, but the Desert Tortoise is struggling to survive after millions of years of life on earth. The desert tortoise in the Mojave Desert (north and west of the Colorado River) was federally listed under emergency provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as endangered on August 4, 1989 and permanently listed as a threatened species on April 2, 1990. The tortoise was listed because of direct losses and threats to tortoise populations and habitat.

The desert tortoise is the largest reptile and the only wild land tortoise found in southern Nevada. It also exists in western California, southwestern Utah, western Arizona, and northwestern Mexico. A tortoise will live in the same general area of less than one square mile during its lifespan of 50-100 years. They reach 10 to 14 inches in length and are soil colored. Because of their color and shape, they can be very difficult to see.

Awareness

To help protect tortoises from getting on roads and highways, Tortoise Exclusion Fence, also referred to as Turtle Fence, is being installed throughout their habitat. Many construction projects are now even required to have an on-site biologist conduct a thorough survey of the job site and flag all burrows prior to construction. Construction crews are also required to complete a desert tortoise education program.

Tortoise exclusion fence is required and specified in many bids where highways and roads or solar fields will be constructed in tortoise habitats. It is installed to keep the tortoises out of harm's way on highways and in solar fields.     

Exclusion Fencing

Tortoise Exclusion Fence is designed specifically for preventing tortoises from gaining access to highways and roads and any other designated areas. It is made of galvanized welded wire which has a mesh opening of 1” horizontal by 2” vertical and is 36” wide. The fence is constructed of 16 gauge or heavier wire and can be GAW (Galvanized After Weld), GBW (Galvanized Before Weld) or VC (Vinyl Coated) depending upon the specifications required.

Methods

The fence material is buried a minimum of 12 inches below the natural level of the ground to prevent tortoises from burrowing underneath. This leaves 22-24 inches above the ground. In situations where burying the fence is not practical because of the rocky substrate, the fence material should be bent at a 90-degree angle to produce a lower section approximately 14 inches wide which will be placed parallel to, and in direct contact with, the ground surface. It is installed using 5 to 6-foot steel T-posts, hog rings, and smooth or barbed livestock wire. Distances between the T-posts should not exceed 10 feet unless the desert tortoise fence is being attached to an existing right-of-way fence that has larger spaces between posts. See the official US Department of Fish and Wildlife specifications for desert tortoise fencing.

Installing the proper tortoise exclusion fence will protect the desert tortoises from possible extinction while protecting you from fines and possible imprisonment.

Let’s all work together to save the tortoises!

A Preferred Choice for Controlling Livestock

High tensile wire is regarded as the most significant improvement in farm fencing since the introduction of barbed wire in 1874. While relatively new in the US, it has been used to effectively control cattle, sheep, and other livestock on ranches in other countries for over 50 years. It has now become the preferred choice for agricultural fencing in the USA.

Low vs. High Carbon Content

Low carbon wire is made from steel rod with a carbon content of approximately 0.10%. This type of wire is easy to work with and fairly forgiving. However, it is prone to elongation, falling victim to stretching and sagging. And its strength is low when compared to high tensile wire.

High tensile wire is made of higher carbon steel. The carbon content of this wire is approximately 0.28%. This increased carbon content significantly increases the wire’s strength and reduces elongation. This allows the use of a smaller diameter high tensile wire versus a thicker low carbon wire.

High tensile wire fence: Advantages

• Lower overall costs due to smaller diameter wire and fewer posts used
• High tensile wire can be installed using fewer fence posts than low carbon fence
• High tensile: post spacing up to 16.5 feet vs low carbon: post spacing 8 to 10 feet
• Stronger – about twice the strength as low carbon wire for effectively controlling any type of livestock: horses, hogs, cattle, deer, sheep, goat, etc.
• Lighter weight means easier handling during installation

• Very low maintenance
• Longer life – 40 plus years if properly maintained
• Can be easily electrified
• More secure
• Looks neater
• Much safer for livestock than barbed wire
• Class 3 galvanizing is standard

With high tensile wire, build a long-lasting, low maintenance fence for nearly half the price of a conventional low carbon fence. Make sure you know that the wire you're getting is high tensile--call Louis Page for details.

Is it Time for an Apron Fence?

Although the name "apron fence" might make this product sound like kitchen garb, it is actually a versatile and uniquely designed fence that is ideal for a host of different applications. 

No Trench

Since there is no need to dig a trench (a time bandit hassle), installation is quick and easy. Simply place the apron on the ground and cover it with soil or grass for a neater appearance. Vegetation will grow up through the mesh, securing the fence to the ground.

Perfect for Beagles etc.

Apron fence is ideal for beagle training pens, running pens, kennels, as well as game bird pens and chicken pens. Great for a garden fence because it protects the garden from hungry wildlife looking for a free and tasty meal!

Choose Galvanized or Vinyl-Coated

Apron fence is made of 17 gauge galvanized steel 1½” hex wire, making it more than twice as strong as standard 20 gauge 1” hex chicken wire. This greater strength and durability provide longer life. Made in the USA, it is available in two sizes – 60” (48” fence height, 12" apron) and 72” (60” fence height, 12" apron) and in galvanized or vinyl-coated finish.

Long-Lasting, Flexible, and Attractive

The vinyl coating is bonded to the wire and is UV stabilized for long life. The black vinyl coating is more attractive and blends into the background, becoming nearly invisible; plus, you can easily see what is inside the fence, enhancing the perspective of your garden. Paying more upfront for vinyl coating will save money and time in the long run because it will last years longer than the galvanized, and will eliminate the expense and hassle of replacing the fence.

Whether your objective is keeping animals in or keeping them out, Apron Fence will exceed expectations!

Straight Lines and Proper Tensioning

What is the process for installing a deer fence? This video from Tornado Wire in the UK will show you how, including: pounding the posts, tensioning and tying off the line wire, installing a brace post, placing and driving intermediate posts, tying off fence material, final tensioning, and stapling. Look and learn how it's done in the UK. 

Tornado has introduced high tensile wire to the UK. Their complete line of agricultural fence products is produced in their own manufacturing facility in the town of Alcester, county of Warwickshire, England.

Integrated Pest Management Strategy

Deer prefer to eat plants with soft leaves and fruit. It is not unusual for a deer to go through 5 to 10 pounds of plant matter a day. Some of their food sources include fruit trees, rhododendrons, maples, and oak. Once deer establish a pattern of behavior it is very hard to break. However, this scenario might have been avoided using an Integrated Pest Management strategy. For instance, some of the methods for reducing deer damage are population control which involves hunting, trapping, and introducing contraception to reduce the herd. Hunting is less expensive. But most areas have communities that are more tolerant of deer and the damage they cause and are against hunting them.

Reducing Damage

Education is vital for preventing and managing deer problems. Understanding the biology and ecology of the species of deer in your area is important in finding alternatives that could reduce the damage caused by deer. You should be aware of the areas they gather in and the times as well as the size of the herd. Learn the identity of the plants and vegetation that they prefer. This information can prove helpful in selecting a method for controlling damage. Before selecting your method, try to have a goal in mind of what you want to accomplish.

Height vs. Electricity

Repellents can be used on plants to discourage deer from eating them. They work by affecting the smell or taste and making it difficult for deer to eat. Sometimes, deer will still eat the plants if they are hungry enough.

Scare devices or noise-making devices that are produced using gas exploders, dogs, blank gunfire, and fireworks.

Fences are the most popular control method. Fences are usually limited to small areas such as orchards, gardens, high-value crops, or areas where deer are particularly abundant.  There are two general categories: passive and active exclusion.

• Passive exclusion fences are woven wire fences that are too tall for deer to jump. They are at least eight feet high since deer can normally jump anything less than eight feet. A well-designed and effective fence will consist of 12-foot posts placed at 40-foot intervals and set to a depth of 4-feet, with woven wire attached to the posts. The bottom of the fence should be at ground level.
• Two 4-foot widths of wire fencing joined one on top of the other and attached to the posts can be used to keep deer out. You can also use an 8-foot tall deer fence. If a taller fence is desire, a strand of high tensile electrical wire can be strung above the woven wire.
• A fence that slants away from the area to be protected is a very effective design as well. These particular structures are often permanent and can protect an area year-round and should last at least twenty years. This method is recommended for areas that have recurring problems with deer damaging crops.

• Active exclusion fences use electricity to keep deer out of an area. The smell or appearance of the fence attracts the deer but when they touch the fence with their noses, they receive an electrical shock. This conditions the deer to avoid the fenced area. These fences are less expensive to construct than exclusion fences but are sometimes less effective because hungry deer can learn to jump over them. These fences also require more maintenance.

When you have the right fencing system in place to protect your orchards or plants, you can be sure the “buck” stops here!