Understanding the Importance of a Food Plot
Protecting your investment in a thriving food plot can be a challenge. The fruits of your labor, the carefully selected seeds, and the time spent tilling the soil can all be undone by hungry animals. One of the most effective strategies for safeguarding your food plots is a well-constructed food plot fence. This guide will explore everything you need to know about building and maintaining a fence that will keep unwanted visitors out, and your wildlife flourishing.
Before diving into the specifics of fencing, it’s essential to understand the value of a food plot. A food plot, in its simplest form, is an area specifically planted with crops intended to provide nourishment for wildlife. These plots act as a supplemental food source, offering high-quality nutrition, especially during periods when natural forage is scarce, like winter or during drought. Food plots can attract and sustain various wildlife, including deer, turkey, rabbits, and other game and non-game species.
The benefits extend beyond simply feeding animals. Food plots can enhance hunting opportunities by concentrating wildlife in a predictable area, allowing for more effective management of game populations. Furthermore, by providing alternative food sources, food plots can lessen the pressure on natural habitats, promoting overall ecosystem health and biodiversity. Well-managed food plots can also contribute to conservation efforts by providing habitat for pollinators and other beneficial insects.
However, these benefits are often threatened by the very animals we intend to attract. Deer, in particular, can consume large quantities of food plot crops, and if left unchecked, can decimate a plot in a matter of days. Rabbits, groundhogs, and even domestic livestock can also pose significant challenges. This is where a food plot fence becomes a vital tool.
Why Fencing is Crucial for Food Plot Success
Without proper protection, your food plot is at risk. Various factors determine the extent of the damage, including the size of the plot, the types of crops, the population of herbivores in the area, and the availability of alternative food sources. However, in many cases, fencing is the only truly reliable method for ensuring your food plot yields its full potential.
Fences create a physical barrier, preventing unwanted animals from accessing the crops. They allow the food plot to thrive, providing consistent access to food for wildlife. This protection also minimizes the need to replant, reducing your workload and saving you money. Moreover, fencing can help minimize damage from livestock, preventing overgrazing and trampling.
The investment in a food plot fence is not merely an expense, it’s an investment in the success of your food plot, and, ultimately, the health of the wildlife you are trying to support.
Planning Your Food Plot Fence: A Strategic Approach
Building a successful food plot fence requires more than just erecting a barrier; it demands careful planning. The type of fence you choose, the materials you use, and the methods of installation should all be based on careful consideration of several factors.
First, it’s important to identify your target animals. Are you primarily concerned about deer, or are rabbits also a threat? Is livestock a potential issue? Knowing your primary adversaries will dictate the type of fence you need. A tall, sturdy fence is required to deter deer, while a lower fence may be sufficient to control rabbits. If livestock is an issue, a more robust construction is critical.
Second, evaluate the size and layout of your food plot. A small plot may require a relatively simple fence, while a larger plot demands more substantial construction. Consider the shape of the plot, and the terrain. The layout of your plot also affects the ease of installation.
Third, assess the existing terrain and potential obstacles. Is the ground level, or is there significant slope? Are there existing trees, rocks, or other obstacles that need to be worked around? These factors will impact the installation process and the materials you’ll need.
Fourth, evaluate the level of predator pressure. If you are in an area with a high population of predators like coyotes, you may need to consider a fence design that makes it more difficult for predators to enter.
Careful planning prevents common mistakes. It allows you to select the most effective and economical fencing solution for your needs.
Selecting the Right Fence: Tailoring Your Choice
The selection of the right fence is a crucial decision. The best type of fence depends on the target animal. Understanding the pros and cons of each type is necessary.
Deer fences come in several varieties. High tensile wire fences are popular choices because they offer a good balance of strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness. These fences typically consist of high-tensile wire stretched between sturdy posts. One of the primary advantages of this approach is its longevity and ability to withstand impact. The disadvantage is the initial setup can be more complex.
Poly or electric netting is another option. This is particularly effective and easy to install and take down for annual plots, and can be highly effective for deer control. The downside is it isn’t as permanent or as durable as a high-tensile wire fence.
Solid panel fencing can be another option, using wood or other solid materials. This is the most visually appealing, it’s the most expensive, and it requires a lot of maintenance.
For controlling rabbits, you can utilize chicken wire or hardware cloth. These types of fences should be at least two feet tall, and it is highly recommended to bury the bottom portion several inches below the ground to prevent animals from digging underneath. Mesh size is important: select a mesh small enough to exclude your target animals.
If livestock is a concern, you should use fencing that is strong enough to contain them. Barb wire fences have long been a standard, but they require considerable care during construction and use due to the risks involved with sharp barbs. Electric fences, used correctly, can provide an effective deterrent. The fence energizer provides an electric shock, which discourages animals from attempting to cross.
Always consider local regulations and the cost implications. Some municipalities and local governments may have regulations regarding fence height, materials, or placement.
Constructing Your Fence: A Step-by-Step Approach
Once you have a plan, it’s time to build your food plot fence. Having the right materials and tools at hand will streamline the process.
You’ll need fence posts. The type of post depends on the fence. For high-tensile wire fences, you’ll want to use either treated wooden posts, steel T-posts, or a combination of both. You will need wire or netting for the fence. If using an electric fence, you’ll need insulators and an electric fence energizer. Also, you’ll need gate hardware.
Some important tools include a post hole digger or auger (for wooden posts), a sledgehammer or post driver (for T-posts), wire cutters, fence pliers, wire strainers, a tape measure, and safety glasses.
Installation will vary based on the type of fence.
For high tensile fences, begin by marking the perimeter of your plot. Then, install the corner and gate posts. The corner posts bear the most stress. Next, set the line posts at the recommended spacing, usually between eight and twelve feet apart. Secure the wire to the posts, using appropriate fasteners and wire strainers to get a taught fence.
For electric fences, you’ll also set the corner and line posts. Attach insulators to the posts. String the electric wire through the insulators, ensuring that it is tight. Connect the wire to the energizer, and test the fence’s output with a fence tester.
For rabbit fences, you’ll need to dig a trench at the base of the fence to bury the bottom edge of the chicken wire or hardware cloth. This prevents rabbits from digging underneath. Backfill the trench and tamp the soil firmly.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for each step.
Proper techniques are crucial to ensuring your fence stands the test of time. Ensure posts are set deep enough. Brace the corners. Keep the wire or netting properly tensioned.
Maintaining Your Investment: Ensuring Longevity
A food plot fence is not a “set it and forget it” project. Regular maintenance is essential to ensuring its effectiveness.
Routine inspections are the cornerstone of good fence maintenance. Walk the perimeter of the fence regularly, looking for any signs of damage, such as broken wires, leaning posts, or sagging netting. Check the gate and latches, and look for holes.
Promptly repair any damage you find. Replace broken wires, straighten or replace leaning posts, and patch any holes in the fence. Failure to do this compromises the fence’s effectiveness.
Vegetation control is also essential. Keep grass and weeds away from the fence line. Weeds can hinder the fence’s effectiveness and can damage the fence material. Mowing, weed-eating, or using a suitable herbicide can prevent vegetation.
For electric fences, it’s important to check the energizer regularly. Verify that it is functioning correctly, and that the fence is getting adequate voltage. Clearing vegetation from the fence line is especially important for electric fences, as weeds can ground out the current.
Considering Alternatives to Fencing
While a food plot fence is often the most effective solution, there are alternatives, or, at the very least, supplemental methods that can contribute to protecting your investment.
Repellents can deter animals. Commercial deer repellents are available, and are sprayed on the plants. However, these repellents often need to be reapplied frequently, and their effectiveness can vary.
Habitat management can also reduce pressure. The more food the wildlife has available outside the plot, the less they will need to graze inside the plot.
Combining strategies often yields the best results. Using a fence in conjunction with repellents and strategic food plot placement can provide the greatest level of protection for your valuable crops.
Conclusion: Protecting Your Wildlife Haven
A food plot fence is an investment that pays dividends. By implementing a well-planned, carefully constructed, and diligently maintained fence, you can successfully protect your food plot from unwanted animal intrusion, ensuring its success. This, in turn, will help you create a sanctuary that provides vital nourishment and habitat. It’s not just about building a fence; it’s about creating a thriving ecosystem.
Now that you understand the importance of the food plot fence, the planning involved, the construction, and the maintenance, you can take the next steps toward a flourishing food plot. Start researching your options, and planning the construction of your own food plot fence today. The wildlife – and your hunting success – will thank you for it.
