FENCING by David Walker, Inverloch.
When setting up a deer unit, one is confronted with many decisions. The costs associated with the necessary requirements of land, fencing, water, shelter, stock, handling facilities etc. all need your careful consideration. In order to understand the total requirements, you will need some expertise in the handling of deer for the production of velvet and/or venison.
Fencing is costly and good planning should allow for larger paddocks initially. Future subdivision can follow as funds become available. Fencing should be built once and should not need additional modification. In contrast, stock purchased can be improved upon each generation by using pure sires, thus improving the genetics annually. If the farm fencing is not well planned initially, the day to day management of the animals becomes a chore.
I recommend using 1.9m high fences around boundary and on all laneways. Closer approaches to handling facilities can also be fenced with rails, either vertical or horizontal, or 150mm vertically spaced wire. This is important when handling stock in pressure areas. Internal fences can be lower and often cattle or sheep fences are simply topped up with "hot" wires. Shadecloth can be a useful addition to fences and gates leading to yards. (Ed.: Keep a watchful eye to ensure that the deer do not eat it.)
To recommend fencing on a specific property is difficult as so many variables come into consideration. You must take into account the topography, drainage, tree lines, prevailing winds, weather and location of handling facilities. Generally speaking, a farm layout would take into account all of the above but would incorporate a central laneway for access from every paddock on the farm to the yards.
These days we are building fences, not fortresses as were built in the past. Species of deer dictate the configuration of the deer wire. As a guide, Fallow deer require 17 line wire and for Red and Elk deer, 13 line wire is sufficient.
Tree guards and internal fencing may use less wires. As the number of wire spacings decrease, the price is reduced. Post spacing is usually 8 - 12m apart and should be closer for undulating country and over waterways. End assemblies use either single 3.6metre strainer posts with stays or double strainers using 3.0m posts and stays. Now that we use more deer gates, we find the manufacturing companies will build gates to suit openings at economical prices.
I find control of Red deer very good using 5 electrified tapes/wires for a quick subdivision. Other alternatives include topping up fence posts, netting, cyclone, hinge joint, etc to make a cheap substitute providing the existing posts are sound. The all-up costs of new fencing including posts, 13 line wire, contracted labour, staples etc on, say a 500m fence can be budgeted on around $5 per metre.
Obviously, all the above ideas depend on the individual farmer and the contractor. I believe that, as each generation of deer are bred, they will become quieter and easier to handle. Do not be afraid to experiment with cheaper alternatives and use new ideas.
Page courtesy of VicDeer
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