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MAMMAL CONTROL 



Wi 1 I iam G. Lord 

 Plant Science Department 

 University of New Hampshire 



Deer 



Deer feeding causes significant injury to many apple orchards. Injury 

 to young plantings can be devastating, especially if deer pressures are such 

 that trees sustain multiple browsings during both the dormant and growing 

 seasons. Injury to older, fruiting trees will consist of browse damage to 

 vegetative shoots (usually not serious) and flower bud and spur damage that 

 can result in significant, immediate, and long term crop losses. 



There are several management options that can be used to alter deer 

 feeding patterns and minimize damage. However, many sites will require 

 fencing systems that exclude deer completely to prevent serious economic 

 injury. In locations with a history of high deer population density and 

 crop damage, a deer management program including fencing needs to be an 

 integral part of any orchard design and management plan. In many cases, 

 establishment of exclusionary fencing should precede orchard establishment. 



Electric Fencing 



The development of high-tensile, suspended electric fences charged with 

 low impedance energizers, coupled with their lower relative cost of cons- 

 truction when compared to traditional woven wire fencing systems, has 

 increased the use of electric fencing to control deer. Two basic electric 

 fence configurations are being employed--a vertical, 6- or 7-wire design and 

 a sloped, 7-wire design. The 6- or 7-wire vertical design has been readily 

 accepted by growers since it is easy to construct and maintain. 



These vertical fences have been effective in controlling deer damage, 

 especially on small and intermediate sized acreages experiencing low to 

 moderate deer pressure. They do invite more deer interaction than 

 3-dimens ional (sloped) configurations. The lowest wire should be a maximum 

 of 10 inches above the ground with the remaining wires spaced at 8 to 10 

 inches. 



Vertical electric fences may more effectively control jumping deer if 

 outfitted with a charged "outrigger" wire. A single, charged wire is set 

 38 inches outside the vertical fence at 15 inches above the ground to add a 

 3-dimens ional barrier effect to be a vertical fence. 



The sloped, 7-wire electric fence design has been effective in 

 controlling high deer pressure on larger acreages. It presents deer with 

 both a 6-foot deep barrier and a shock upon contact. The fence slopes up 

 from the ground (and away from the crop) to an outside height of h feet. 

 Wires are spaced at 12-inch intervals. 



