Controlling Deer Use of Forest Vegetation with Electric Fences

Abstract

In 1961, an electric fence to control deer (Odocodus virginusnus) was erected around a 255-acre part of a 5Bacre stand of cut-over northern hardwood forest in the Adirondack Mountains. In addition to the main fence, a Sacre area was enclosed with an outrigger fence, as recommended by the Vermont Fish and Game Department, to test its effectiveness compared to the main fence. Observations of the outrigger fence indicated that it effectively repelled deer during early winter but was ineffective after 6 inches of snow had accumulated. High resistance to ground in dry snow was mea^ sured and the fence was modified by adding wires at ground potential. The main fence was modified in 1962 to include ground wires, and in 1963 to replace solid copper wire with copper-clad steel wire. Track counts and direct observaffons indicated that the electric fence effectively repelled many deer although numerous observations of deer penetrating the fence were made. Vegetative tallies indicated that deer browsing was significantly ( P < 0.0S ) reduced inside the fence. Cost per acre over the study period was $22.47. The efficiency of the electric fence in controlling deer use was considered too marginal to recommend its use as a management tool, and its cost was relaffvely too high. The effect of the white-tailed deer on Adirondack forest vegetation has been studied on The Archer and Anna Huntington Wildlife Forest Station since 1939. These early exclosure studies concluded that deer are not an important limiting factor in the establishment of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants in the uncut mature northern hardwood forest ( Webb et al. 1956 ) . Later studies on logged northern hardwood stands indicated a dramatic effect of deer on the height growth of most indigenous hardwoods, except American beech ( Fagus grandifolia), (Tierson et al. 1966, Farnsworth and Barrett 1966 ) . The desirability of reducing deer use to permit adequate stocking and growth of preferred timber species was clearly evident. Unpublished studies on the Huntington Wildlife Forest have also demonstrated that browsing by the extant deer population has changed the northern hardwood forest un1 A contribution of New York Pittman-Robertson Project W-105-R, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, the New York State Conservation Department, and the State University College of Forestry, Syracuse University, cooperating. 922 derstory to one comprised largely of beech, a species little used by the white-tail and not highly regarded by the forester. Fencing to control deer browsing on large areas of forest land has had little application. Electric fencing techniques have been used even less. Seamans ( 1951 ) used electric fencing to control deer damage, primarily to orchards, in Vermont. In 1960, a study was instituted on the Huntington Wildlife Forest to test the effectiveness of electric fences in controlling deer use on a large forested area under timber management. Thanks are due E. F. Patric and R. A. Seamans for their assistance. D. F. Behrend reviewed the manuscript.