HIGH GAME FENCE: KEEPING WILDLIFE IN AND PREDATORS OUT

In the world of Texas deer ranching, no infrastructure is more important than the high game fence. And it can’t be just any high fence. Proper installation, high-quality durable materials, water gap solutions, and ground barriers are absolutely essential.

The high game fence enables both breeders and trophy hunting operations to control and protect their herds, improve range and nutrition management, and eliminate predators. For breeding purposes, keeping out other native deer can be just as important as containing the cultivated herd. Deer bred and managed within high game fences have the optimum conditions — and the necessary time — to grow to impressive sizes with magnificent and highly desirable antlers. High game fences also facilitate selective harvesting for herd optimization.

In addition to securing the herd, a high game fence also can improve the overall safety and security of a property. A significant deterrent to poachers, high game fences can virtually eliminate trespassing, whether by unauthorized hunters or other unwanted guests.

How high is a high game fence?

Height, of course, is relative, but in the world of high game fences, the minimum is eight feet. Deer bound easily over five-foot field fencing. Even lumbering elk can jump low fences with nary a hitch. For some terrain, 10 feet provides the extra protection needed to keep a trophy herd in and most predators out.

Most antelope, sheep, bison, and other exotics can be safely contained within five-foot game fences.

What materials are best for a high game fence?

Quality high game fences are built to withstand the test of time, as well as the forces of nature, namely the weather and the animals themselves. Big game can exert hundreds of pounds of force against the fence. Repeated blows can destroy barbed wire and common field fencing. Even small weakened places give entry to predators.

We recommend high tensile wire mesh for our high game fencing. High tensile wire mesh with interlocking fixed knots has the highest strength rating and is the most durable of ranch fencing materials. The toughness and durability of high tensile woven wire is far superior to barbed wire or low tensile woven wire.

High tensile wire mesh fencing comes in different styles and weights. The type of materials that are best for your high game fence depends on your overall goal and requirements. Consider the following:

• Class 3 galvanized coating is proven to last three times longer than Class 1 coating
• Fixed knot design provides greater strength and performance than hinge-joint mesh
• Varying mesh spacing helps ensure greater security from unwanted animals while maintaining an affordable fence solution. The height and width of the wire spacing provides for different applications. Ensuring that animals can’t so much as stick a foot through the fence can be critical for the wildlife and livestock safety.
• Deep crimps are important for stretching the fence during installation so that it will hold tension throughout its life. The crimps also provide some flex in the fence in the event an animal or other may run into it.

The standard for Tejas high game fences for deer in Texas is the 2096-6 with standard spacing. Another option referred to as “fawn wire” is the 2096-3 which offers tighter spacing. On rare circumstances, 10’ fence is used with a 6” spacing, very similar to the 8’ wire net fencing.

What to do about water gaps, gate gaps, and ground gaps?

A high game fence with gaps is really no fence at all.

Running streams, seasonal creeks, sharp elevation changes, and low-lying areas along fence lines can be challenging. To secure water gaps — a particularly bedeviling issue –Tejas Ranch & Game Fence invented the FloatMaster™ water gap system. With its revolutionary design, the FloatMaster™ floats during high water events, allowing runoff and debris to pass below the fence line. During dry weather, the FloatMaster™ lies flat on the ground to form a reliable barrier.

Standard ranch gates built for cattle pastures often have gaps between the gates and fence posts and between gates and round tubing. Latches on standard cattle gates are notorious for giving away in high winds or under pressure from animals. If a cow breaks a latch and ambles into another pasture, it’s generally not a big deal. But if a trophy deer or exotic finds their way through an unreliable gate, that animal is likely gone for good.

Ground gaps are an often-overlooked problem, but the base of the fence can be as important as the height when it comes to security. For these common ground gaps, we use a heavy weight welded wildlife mesh to close the gaps. Another possible security measure, predator wire installed along the base of a fence not only keeps out hogs and other digging animals, but it also helps keep deer from creating weak spots at the base through which they can escape. Moderate weight galvanized steel panels attached to the base of the fence can greatly reduce ground gaps and prevent predators and hogs from digging under a high game fence.

Why choose Tejas for High Game Fencing?

Our highly skilled team of fencing innovators, designers, and construction professionals is dedicated to excellence in every job. We work closely with our clients to determine the best design and construction for their unique needs. We use the highest quality game fencing materials. Our installation teams are meticulous and accomplished experts in every way. By focusing on careful consultation and design, top quality materials, and uncompromising installation, we strive to exceed our clients’ high expectations every time.

Additional Fencing Solutions

Horse Fences
Cattle Fencing
Hog-Proof Fence
Water Gap Fence
Custom Ranch Gates
Electric Fence

Learn more about us or browse through our various fencing solutions.