Fencing with Wildlife in Mind
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE Fencing with Wildlife in Mind www.cpw.state.co.us ©PHOTO BY SHEILA LAMB©PHOTO BY “Good fences make good neighbors.” —Robert Frost, from Mending Walls A Conversation Starter, Not the Last Word Fences—thousands of types have been invented, and millions of miles have been erected. We live our lives between post, rail, chain link and wire. It’s difficult to imagine neighborhoods, farms, industry and ranches without fences. They define property, confine pets and livestock, and protect that which is dear to us, joining or separating the public and private. For humans, fences make space into place. For wildlife, fences limit travel and access to critical habitat. This publication provides guidelines and details for constructing fences with wildlife in mind. The information it contains has been contributed by wildlife managers, biologists, land managers, farmers, and ranchers. Over time, their observations and research have built a body of knowledge concerning wildlife and fences, including: •A basic understanding of how ungulates cross fences and the fence designs that cause problems for moose, elk, deer, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. •Fence designs that adequately contain livestock without excluding wildlife. •Fence designs that effectively exclude ungulates, bears, beavers, and other small mammals. This information is intended to open the conversation about fences and wildlife. This is by no means the “last word.” New fencing materials and designs are continually developed. New research on the topic will invariably provide added and improved alternatives. Nonetheless, this publication provides viable options to those who wish to allow safe passage for wildlife or to exclude animals for specific reasons.
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