field fence question

CTW · Oct 4, 2009

It's time to replace some very old barbed wire fence and was thinking of going with field fence. The wild hog population being the main reason for my leaning toward field fence but I'm worried about the deer. Our family loves to shoot white-tail and I'm not sure how they would take to the new fence. I would go with 47" field fence with a stand of barb on top and I've seen how high the bucks and doe can jump but if the fawn can't clear it, that might keep the doe out and then the bucks to follow. Might just be over thinking this but wanted to hear any suggestions from those of you who have installed this fence type. The hogs are taking over Texas, some large sections of pasture look like artillary testing grounds.

dave1949 · Oct 4, 2009

Would you need to worry about the hogs rooting up and lifting the bottom of field fence? Or don't feral hogs do that?

Seems like it would have to be stretched very tight and close spaced poles to keep hogs out, at least that's what it takes to keep hogs in.

Maybe a strand of barbed wire on the outside bottom.

All those hogs! You Texans better fire up your bbq pits more often. Must be real pests.

Dave.

jinman · Oct 4, 2009

I'm no expert, but at your stretching H's, can you fence below the horizontal part of the H and leave a gap above it? I believe the hogs are not likely to jump over the horizontal bar, but the fawns probably would. Another idea might be to leave a vertical gap too narrow for hogs but allow the fawns to squeeze through.

Uncle Doug · Oct 4, 2009

CTW said:
It's time to replace some very old barbed wire fence and was thinking of going with field fence. The wild hog population being the main reason for my leaning toward field fence but I'm worried about the deer. Our family loves to shoot white-tail and I'm not sure how they would take to the new fence. I would go with 47" field fence with a stand of barb on top and I've seen how high the bucks and doe can jump but if the fawn can't clear it, that might keep the doe out and then the bucks to follow. Might just be over thinking this but wanted to hear any suggestions from those of you who have installed this fence type. The hogs are taking over Texas, some large sections of pasture look like artillary testing grounds.

If you use a heavy field like Red Brand sold at McCoys it might be enough to keep the hogs out. My barbed wire fence keeps the hogs out of the pasture, or else they just don't want in. I did read a article the other day that says a hog deterant fence need only be 28-36 inches tall but must be sturdy. Not sure if Red Brand markets a 36" wire.

As far a the deer go I think you are correct in thinking that a field fence will also keep out the fawns which will also keep the number of adult deer down.

two_bit_score · Oct 4, 2009

I think Stay-Tuff is the best field fence. If you put out deer feeders I don't think you will have a problem with 48" fence keeping deer off your place. JMHO.

LBrown59 · Oct 4, 2009

CTW said:
It's time to replace some very old barbed wire fence and was thinking of going with field fence. The wild hog population being the main reason for my leaning toward field fence but I'm worried about the deer.
Our family loves to shoot white-tail and I'm not sure how they would take to the new fence.
I would go with 47" field fence with a stand of barb on top and I've seen how high the bucks and doe can jump but if the fawn can't clear it, that might keep the doe out and then the bucks to follow. Might just be over thinking this but wanted to hear any suggestions from those of you who have installed this fence type. The hogs are taking over Texas, some large sections of pasture look like artillary testing grounds.

They need to get their eye off the deer and set their sights on hogs.

CTW · Oct 4, 2009

LBrown59 said:
They need to get their eye off the deer and set their sights on hogs.

Too much work skining all those hogs, heck we could have a hog in the trap just about every morning if we set it. There's even buyer down the road who would take the live ones off our hands. But when hogs in the numbers we have start having liters three times a year times, times, times, etc...you have a pretty bad problem on your hands. A few months back, a big boar chased my cousin into the chicken coop. When they start coming up into the yard, it's time to find a way to keep them out. That bottom strand or maybe two on the outside botton sounds like another good suggestion. Maybe a donkey?

LBrown59 · Oct 4, 2009

CTW said:
Too much work skining all those hogs, heck we could have a hog in the trap just about every morning if we set it. There's even buyer down the road who would take the live ones off our hands. But when hogs in the numbers we have start having liters three times a year times, times, times, etc...you have a pretty bad problem on your hands. A few months back, a big boar chased my cousin into the chicken coop. When they start coming up into the yard, it's time to find a way to keep them out. That bottom strand or maybe two on the outside botton sounds like another good suggestion. Maybe a donkey?

Seems like they've gone hog wild around your place.
Pardone the pun-Yeah it was Hogish of me.

dave1949 · Oct 4, 2009

CTW said:
Too much work skining all those hogs, heck we could have a hog in the trap just about every morning if we set it. There's even buyer down the road who would take the live ones off our hands. But when hogs in the numbers we have start having liters three times a year times, times, times, etc...you have a pretty bad problem on your hands. A few months back, a big boar chased my cousin into the chicken coop. When they start coming up into the yard, it's time to find a way to keep them out. That bottom strand or maybe two on the outside botton sounds like another good suggestion. Maybe a donkey?

I didn't think about how they would have more litters in a mild climate.

I don't know what sort of animal would keep them away. Maybe a pair of large, serious guard dogs, but then, they come with issues too unless you are a better dog trainer than most, including me.

I guess shooting them means you end up a bunch of rotting carcasses. Non-native species are always the hardest to deal with it seems. Like the rabbits in Australia.

Good luck. Dave.

whistlepig · Oct 4, 2009

CTW said:
It's time to replace some very old barbed wire fence and was thinking of going with field fence. The wild hog population being the main reason for my leaning toward field fence but I'm worried about the deer. Our family loves to shoot white-tail and I'm not sure how they would take to the new fence. I would go with 47" field fence with a stand of barb on top and I've seen how high the bucks and doe can jump but if the fawn can't clear it, that might keep the doe out and then the bucks to follow. Might just be over thinking this but wanted to hear any suggestions from those of you who have installed this fence type. The hogs are taking over Texas, some large sections of pasture look like artillary testing grounds.

We put up Red Brand "No Climb" 2'x4" mesh. The stoutest thing available around here next to pig panel. Not to turn hogs. To turn horses. I think it would turn a hog.