Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 7, 1993                   TAG: 9307070291
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Joe Hunnings
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`PEANUT-BUTTER FENCE' CARRIES A CHARGE THAT DEER DON'T LIKE

With the explosive growth of Virginia's deer population over the past decade, people in rural areas are finding it almost impossible to maintain a usable garden or to protect fruit trees and other high-value crops from hungry deer, according to Jonathan Kays, a specialist with Maryland Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Even suburban residents living in more developed areas are experiencing increased damage to prized plants and shrubs.

Fortunately for them, Kays says, an affordable electric deer fence has proved effective in keeping deer out of areas of up to three acres.

The fence usually is made of polywire, a high-visibility, plastic-filament wire interwoven with strands of stainless steel, which conducts electricity. A single strand of polywire is suspended about 30 inches above the ground from 3- to 4-foot tall fiberglass rods at 30- to 50-foot intervals.

Two strands of wire also can be used, one 20 inches and the other 36 inches above ground. The cost, excluding labor, is about 10 to 15 cents per linear foot.

Aluminum foil "flags" are attached to the wire with tape or clips. The undersides of the flags are baited with peanut butter. When deer smell the peanut butter and try to eat it, they touch the flags and their noses get a shock. The shock causes no injury, but it's painful enough to leave a lasting impression.

"The baited flags are an important element of the electric fence," Kays explains, "because a shock to the nose is more of a deterrent than a shock to the leg would be if a deer walked into the fence."

Electrical current is provided to the fence by a high-powered charger. Chargers with outputs of two joules or more are available from electric fence companies. An alternating-current-powered charger costs the least per joule of output and requires little maintenance. In many cases, the charger can be located at a nearby power source, and an aluminum wire is strung to where the fence starts.

Because of the pain caused by the charge, landowners who install this fence must address potential liability issues, including the possibility of accidental shock to children and others. As a minimum, identify the electric fence with warning signs.

Maintenance of the fence is crucial to its success. It must be checked every day for the first few months to ensure that the voltage is sufficient and that the fence has not been knocked down. Flags must be rebaited every six to eight weeks.

This type of fence costs less than conventional high-tensile electric fencing - about $277 for a three-acre area. It can be taken down and moved easily when necessary.

If you would like more information about baited polywire fences, contact the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service office in your county. The telephone number will be in the blue pages of your telephone directory.

Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service agent for agriculture in Christiansburg. If you have questions call the Montgomery County extension office at 382-5790.