Wildlife Friendly Fencing
By Alanna Jonson, PAg, Agri-Environmental Specialist, Swift Current
Fences are a valuable tool for livestock grazing management. Although fences are not the only tool to manage grazing distribution, they’re important for keeping livestock in and can improve range health.
Under the Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program (RALP), there is funding for producers to construct new cross fences to help manage native rangelands. Some things to consider prior to starting any project include how the fence will be constructed and what your short and long-term goals are for the pasture. This includes taking time to think about the topography, how stony the soil is, your fencing budget, the land use and the time of year you will be using your pasture. For example, if you’re going through an extremely rocky pasture, it may limit the type of fence, time of year or equipment you’re able to use during construction. When planning your fence, take the time to consider the livestock and wild species that will graze or use the pasture in other ways, including areas where wildlife frequently travel.
Depending on the pasture and planned location of the new fencing project, RALP may require wildlife friendly fencing. Wildlife friendly fencing allows wildlife to cross the fence while minimizing the risk of injury, entanglement or possible mortality. Planning ahead can help select fences which keep your livestock in, while allowing wildlife to move freely and safely and avoiding costly fence repairs in areas with high wildlife movement.
Projects in environmentally sensitive areas should include special activity restrictions or considerations, such as wildlife friendly fencing for projects in pronghorn migration routes. The Landowner’s Guide to Wildlife Friendly Fences: How to Build Fences with Wildlife in Mind is a resource which provides information for landowners and lessees when planning future fencing projects. The guide details various types of fences and scenarios, including developing the ideal wildlife friendly fence—which should be easily visible to wildlife and meet minimum bottom wire and maximum top wire heights. A fence should still be able to hold livestock while having a bottom wire that is high enough for wildlife, including pronghorn, to go under and a top wire that should allow wildlife, including deer, to jump over. The height of the fence and distance between posts, gates, drop-downs, etc. can all impact wildlife species’ ability to move through or around a fence. This can include permanent or temporary/portable fences which can be moved to different locations throughout the year. Barbed wire fences are one of the most common for livestock and can still be built, or modified, in a way to be more friendly to wildlife.
Projects on provincial Crown Land or within environmentally sensitive areas may have additional requirements for wildlife friendly fencing depending on the location and wildlife species. If you’re planning a project and looking for more information about any of the Ministry of Agriculture’s programs or services, you can contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
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