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.
field fence question
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dave1949
Super Star Member
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.
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
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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
Gold Member
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
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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
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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
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Seems like they've gone hog wild around your place.
Pardone the pun-Yeah it was Hogish of me.
dave1949
Super Star Member
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
Elite Member
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.
dave1949
Super Star Member
CTW -
Forget the dumb guard dog idea - forgot about the deer. This reminds of the old brain teaser of how do you get a goose, a fox and a bag of corn across the river using a boat that is just big enough for you and one other item.
Dave.
Forget the dumb guard dog idea - forgot about the deer. This reminds of the old brain teaser of how do you get a goose, a fox and a bag of corn across the river using a boat that is just big enough for you and one other item.
Dave.
weldingisfun
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I'll second that. The toughest/strongest wire I have ever worked with.
Western
Super Member
Sell $25-$50 dollar hog hunts, don't know what part of Texas your in, but allot of people like hunting them. Might as well let the hog's finance the fence.
jinman
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I don't want to be too big of a cynic, but the only thing I think is probably worse than a bunch of hogs on your place is a bunch of city-slickers with guns.
Talk about doin' damage. . . .dave1949
Super Star Member
I don't want to be too big of a cynic, but the only thing I think is probably worse than a bunch of hogs on your place is a bunch of city-slickers with guns.
Well, that's a point to consider. Think about Dick Cheney
riptides
Super Star Member
I have about 2000 feet of field fence on some road frontage that has mature cedar in front of it. In front of the cedar is the original 1920 barbed wire. In front of the wire is the road embankment, or ditch. This ditch goes down about 3 to four feet in spots. it is also about two foot wide to the road.
Deer clear this from the road with no issues.
In fact, I almost got splattered on my tractor cutting the field because a herd decided I was fair game and crossed almost on top of me.
Deer clear this from the road with no issues.
In fact, I almost got splattered on my tractor cutting the field because a herd decided I was fair game and crossed almost on top of me.
I've gotten some more country folk out my way interested in bringing their live traps out to see what they can catch. This actually used to be a fun recreation for hunters with dogs and lights. Now it's more like combating poison ivy. I appreciate all of the suggestions you have provided.
Western
Super Member
I don't want to be too big of a cynic, but the only thing I think is probably worse than a bunch of hogs on your place is a bunch of city-slickers with guns.
I couldn't agree more, although I have seen some questionable "country" folks too. I am guessing who ever wants a wild hog though, may not be a "pure" city slicker.
I have a neighbor that moved from the mid cities area, he dresses country, talks country and has spent 3 years destroying his land and aggravating every one else with his noise.
I have 23 acres in Caldwell county and I've already cross fenced off 4 acres using 48" field fence and one strand of barbed wire on top for keeping in a milk cow and calf and keeping out coyotes. I see deer out there all the time but I honestly can't say whether Ive seen any fawns.
Im debating doing the rest of my perimeter fence in field fence since I'd like the option of keeping some goats to eat down all the brush on my place but I still want to be able to trap/hunt hogs and hunt deer on the rest of my place. I know larger deer will be able to jump a field fence, but will does not come to a feeder if their fawns can't follow?
Is there any fencing system that will keep goats in but might still allow deer and hogs to pass both ways? If I crossfence a smaller area just for goats that means I have to supplement feed them more which I don't want to do. I want them to live as close to 100% off the land only as possible (ie Im not looking at using the goats for meat/profit.. just to control brush and maintain my ag exemption). Buying/leasing more land isn't an option.
Im debating doing the rest of my perimeter fence in field fence since I'd like the option of keeping some goats to eat down all the brush on my place but I still want to be able to trap/hunt hogs and hunt deer on the rest of my place. I know larger deer will be able to jump a field fence, but will does not come to a feeder if their fawns can't follow?
Is there any fencing system that will keep goats in but might still allow deer and hogs to pass both ways? If I crossfence a smaller area just for goats that means I have to supplement feed them more which I don't want to do. I want them to live as close to 100% off the land only as possible (ie Im not looking at using the goats for meat/profit.. just to control brush and maintain my ag exemption). Buying/leasing more land isn't an option.
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weldingisfun
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How about some good news, Perdurabo?
Our place is fenced and the does come in to have their fawns. As you already know, the fawns cannot jump the fence. This keeps the does around to be close to the fawns and they bring in the bucks during breeding season. Once the fawns are big enough, about one year, they leave. But, the yearling does return to have their fawns. The cycle continues.
Hogs, now that is a different story. We have none and don't want any.
Our place is fenced and the does come in to have their fawns. As you already know, the fawns cannot jump the fence. This keeps the does around to be close to the fawns and they bring in the bucks during breeding season. Once the fawns are big enough, about one year, they leave. But, the yearling does return to have their fawns. The cycle continues.
Hogs, now that is a different story. We have none and don't want any.
