Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Evaluation of Wire Fences for Coyote Control

1979; University of Arizona; Volume: 32; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2307/3898559

2162-2728

Bruce C. Thompson,

Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies

Thirty-four electric and nonelectric wire fence configurations were evaluated for deterrent effect to coyotes (Can& l&runs).Tests of fences were conducted using a conditioned test regime or live prey to elicit fence-crossing responses from 15 captive coyotes during 980 exposures to fences.Fence height and mesh size were important factors in controlling jumping over and crawling through, respectively.Overhangs and aprons were necessary to preclude climbing over and crawling under fences.Electric fences generally were not effective deterrents under test conditions.Construction of a fence necessary to deter all methods of crossing is described.Subsequent field tests have verified the suitability of such a fence to control losses of sheep to coyotes.Uses of wire fences to protect livestock and fields were described in the United States (Youngblood and Cox 1922; Young and Jackson 195 l), Africa (Woodley 1965; Denney 1972), and Australia (Bauer 1964; NIcKnight 1969).McAtee (1939) and Fitzwater (1972) described small-scale uses of electric fencing to exclude ungulates and predatory animals.Storer et al. (1938) objectively evaluated the use of electric wires to control bears and documented some success, although reactions of bears were variable.Gates et al. (1978) described an ' 'effective anti-coyote electric fence' ' that completely protected penned sheep from four coyotes for several weeks.Electric fencing reportedly was successful in reducing fox predation on nesting terns (Forster 1975).Lantz (1905) evaluated 14 fences as deterrents to captive coyotes, but his data were insufficient to determine effectiveness.Jardine ( 190% 19 11) tested two fence configurations used for sheep enclosures in Oregon and Colorado.He stated that a 150-cm high "V-mesh" fence was adequate to exclude coyotes.Stullken and Kirkpatrick (1953) studied the relationship of mesh size to passage by selected predatory mammals but excluded coyotes from their tests.Despite the reported widespread use of fences for control of depredations, evaluations of effectiveness have been limited.This research was initiated to test objectively numerous configurations of electric and nonelectric fences under controlled conditions, thereby permitting judgment of the effectiveness of fences in retarding or preventing crossing by coyotes.