DEER FENCE INSTALLATION: MIDDLE STEPS 3
MIDDLE STEPS, CONTINUEDMonofilament Lines for Deer Fence
Monofilament line for deer fence comes in several gauges–most commonly 8 gauge, 11 gauge, and 12 gauge. We recommend using 8-gauge line (items 16-011 and 16-012) with metal hexagrid fencing and 11-gauge line (item 16-01) with polypropylene fencing. (The 12-gauge line is a little weak and can sometimes snap.) These lines resist UV radiation well and are reasonably durable, having an expected life of 5 to 10 years. They can be connected to the fence with hog-rings, zip-lock ties, or short lengths of tie wire, and can be drawn tight and secured to posts or trees with gripples and a gripple tensioning tool; with u-bolts and circular wire tensioners; or with oval metal sleeves, a crimping tool, and circular wire tensioners (items 16-03 thru 16-10). Alternatively, they can be tightened and secured without special gear as follows: Hammer a two-inch U-nail ( item 17-01) about half-way in on the outside surface of the tree or wood post to which the line is being secured. Then cut the line, string it through the U-nail opening twice, pull the filament taut, and hammer the U-nail down far enough to hold the filament securely but not far enough to harm or break it. Who said there was no art to installing a deer fence? The main weakness of this monofilament line is that it stretches. So every year or two one needs to inspect it to see whether it is sagging. If it is, go from the U-nail where it is attached to the tree and move the line horizontally back over the tree or post until the line has regained the desired tightness, and at this point drive a U-nail over the repositioned strand to keep it taut. Alternatively, use a gripple tensioning tool (for a line secured by gripples) or a circular wire tensioner tool (for a line bearing a circular wire tensioner) to tighten the line of monofilament. Lines for Polypropylene Fencing. Not all polypropylene deer fences need monofilament support. If the fence is relatively short (less than 500 feet long), likely to take few direct deer impacts, and out of reach of elderly or sick trees likely to drop their limbs, then you need no monofilament line. However, if tree limbs seem likely to fall on the fence, then one or more lengths of monofilament line strung along the top of the fence as described above is good damage-limiting insurance. Likewise, if your fence is long (over 500 feet), then placing a line on top is a good idea; and if it seems likely to receive a lot of direct deer assaults to its mid-section, you should put in three lines–one along the top and two others at heights of 24" and 48" above the ground. Lines for Metal Hexagrid Fencing. Unlike the polypropylene fence, which may need to be strengthened by lines running through its mid-section, the metal hexagrid deer fencing already has horizontal reinforcing wires running through it at regular intervals, and it is generally strong enough to resist multiple deer impacts. Therefore, the only monofilament lines needed are the single one along the top that helps to support the fence's weight and the three above it that raise the fence's working height. Start marrying the first line to the horizontal 17-gauge wire at the top of the hexagrids (you can use either side of the hexagrid fencing roll as the fence top) with a few loosely fastened zip-lock ties. Then secure all four lines to your posts or trees using zip-lock ties or u-nails (item 17-01) pounded half-way in; then tighten each line with a circular wire tensioner or gripples and a gripple tensioner (items 16-03 thru 16-10); and finish the job by joining the lowest cable to the fence’s top horizontal wire with hog rings and a hog ring stapler (items 17-09 and 17-10). |
McGregor Fence Co. 508-888-8305