The   electric fence provides an ideal defence against wild animals

This is the general picture: Wild animals usually live in woods, but what if they find their way to residential areas such as London, Birmingham or Manchester – or on to agricultural land? Game often causes damage to fences, plants or buildings, and pets and cattle suffer as a result. It is precisely for this reason that the subject of deterring wild animals should be taken seriously. Electric fences which provide a defence against wild animals have proven themselves extremely effective. Different types of electric game fences exist. It is important to choose the right material for the right purpose.

Which type of animal do you wish the game fence to keep out?

The term “wild” is generally used to sum up the most diverse animals, however hunters and foresters view these animals in a more differentiated way than those of us who are not professionally involved with wild animals or don’t have anything to do with them on a daily basis. Wild animals which you wish to keep out because they are penetrating into the human habitat or wreaking havoc on agricultural land include:

• wild boar
• deer and roe deer (red deer and fallow deer)
• hares and rabbits
• foxes and wolves
• martens / raccoon dogs / mink
• raccoons
• badgers
• wild cats such as lynx
• game birds such as birds of prey or wild hens and geese
• stray cats and dogs

Wild boar, stone martens and raccoons, in particular, generally cause trouble for humans. These animals dig up the ground or plants, eat or damage vegetables, fruit and agricultural crops or sniff around waste bins or compost heaps. Not only gardens, beds and fields, but also car parks, large green spaces in towns, golf courses, play areas and even airfields are affected by wild animals. Wild boar dig up the earth when searching for food and can be aggressive if they come into contact with humans or other animals. Even supposedly harmless animals such as roe and deer can cause damage by nibbling young trees or other plants. Martens, on the other hand, can cause damage such as destroying cables, aerials and vehicles. In harmless cases, the invading animals steal something to eat, defecate on the premises or find a place to hide or make their home a house or building. Wild boar, in particular, can cause damage and give rise to a certain amount of fear or helplessness. To deal with this, various products exist which provide a defence against martens and wild animals, for example wild animal electric fences.

How does an electric fence for defence against wild animals work?

The principle behind an electric fence for defence against wild animals is the same as that for an ordinary electric fence. Similarly to an electric fence, it uses an electric shock to keep the intruders out of the enclosed area. Certain components are essential for this:

• fence posts made of robust material such as wood, plastic or metal
• conducting material in the form of polywire, tape or rope.
• the energiser
• connectors and insulators for the conductors
• warning signs and testers

If a wild animal approaches the defence against wild animals and comes into contact with it, the electric circuit – generated by the energiser and flowing through the conductors – briefly closes. This creates an electric shock which generally gives the animals an unpleasant yet harmless sensation. An electric fence for defence against wild animals offers a durable solution as it is only activated if an animal comes into contact with it and, therefore, is only used if really needed.

Electric fences used as a defence against wild animals – what needs to be taken into account?

The effectiveness of an electric fence used as a defence against wild boar or other wild animal is hard to beat. However, this does not mean that every model is suitable or can truly fulfil its purpose. When choosing the right fence, various factors must be taken into account. You should rely on a powerful energiser, as the fence must be supplied with a sufficient amount of energy. If the voltage is too low, the electric shock is likely to be too weak, and the animals will not be sufficiently intimidated and so will try to get through the electric fence, thus damaging or destroying it. We recommend a high-performance energiser which can maintain an electric fence voltage of 4,000 V or more. This is a higher voltage than on pet fencing or electric fence as this type of fence needs to be strong enough to deter wild boar and other wild animals. If a mains power supply is in the vicinity, it is possible to use an energiser with a 230 V mains connection. Otherwise, a 12 V battery-powered energiser is suitable.

Grounding the game fence

Electric pulses are generated at regular intervals by the game fence energiser. The game fence energiser is connected to the fence, on the one hand, and to the ground, on the other. As soon as the boar comes into contact with the fence, the gap in the contact which still exists between the fence and the ground closes. The impulse is conducted through the boar, into the ground and back into the device. The better the fence’s construction and the better the grounding, the easier it is for the electric impulse to return to the device in full strength. Therefore, during construction, it’s important to pay attention, not just to the fence itself, but also to the grounding which plays a significant role in the success of the game fence system. Thus, it’s always better to have one too many grounding stakes than one too few. The grounding should not become a bottleneck causing the earth-return circuit to fail.

Closely related to this factor is the need to invest in high-quality conductors. It’s the conductors which conduct the electricity transmitted by the energiser throughout the entire fence and which release an electric shock if the fence is touched. As, in most cases, an electric fence used as a defence against wild animals covers a large area, it is important for the conducting material to be effective. Connectors help here, as they ensure an uninterrupted flow of electricity. Insulators on the fence posts complete the equipment and ensure that the fence system is constructed appropriately.

As far as electric fence technology used to provide a defence against wild animals is concerned, the grounding and signage, legal requirements and important accessories should not be overlooked. From the high-voltage-insulated cable and grounding stake to the fence tester, various components are required to ensure that the electric fence used to provide a defence against wild animals operates correctly. Accessories such as lightning protection, anti-theft boxes, fence switches and warning lights can be used if you wish to equip your fence to an optimum.

It’s also important to mount the conductors in rows at a suitable distance apart so that you’re equipped for every eventuality. What happens if not only the wild boar, but also their offspring (young boar) try to get through the fence? What about if you also wish to fend off other wild animals from the park, field, garden or plot of land? Mounting several rows at recommended heights of 20 cm, 45 cm and 70 cm is essential for this. This sounds like more effort than it actually is, as, in general, a fence providing a defence against wild animals with polywire can be constructed quickly and easily. An area of up to one hectare can be enclosed in just under 2 hours, and the electric fence will then be immediately ready for use.

Conclusion: game fence

If you wish to protect people, buildings, animals or land, there’s no getting round the use of an electric fence or netting providing a defence against wild animals. The combination of a fence with rows of conductors and an electric fence or netting used as a defence against wild animals has proven to be successful. The intruding animals are deterred by the electric shock. They cannot dig under or jump over the electric fence providing a defence against wild animals or overcome it in any other way. All the equipment you need is available in one comprehensive set, and mounting is straightforward. If you wish to buy quality products and branded goods, the electric fence used as a defence against wild boars is durable and hard-wearing.