Electric Fences as Bear Deterrents

Additional Resources:

• ADF&G Electric Fence Presentation 2020 (PowerPoint file 7,614 kB)
• Living with Predators Resource Guide, written and compiled by Patricia A. Sowka, with the cooperation of many wildlife biologists and governmental agencies, is an excellent reference tool for information on electric fences. It can be found at www.lwwf.org. Information on electric fences can be found under the link "Living with Wildlife/Refuse/guide.pdf. (The Living with Predators Resource Guide is also available on CD-Rom or in printed format. This, not for profit product, comes with the very strong recommendation of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.)
• Protecting Your Camp From Bears: Electric Fencing (PDF 122 kB), by Tom Smith, Ph.D., Senior Research Wildlife Ecologist for the U.S. Geological Survey in Anchorage, gives information on portable electric fences for use in the backcountry.
• The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recommends you become familiar with the energy requirements utilized by the United States Forest Service in their "Recreation Tech Tips" bulletin, Electric Fence Systems: Requirements for Meeting the NCDE (Northern Continental Divide Grizzly Bear Ecosystem).
• Several of the vendors in the Vendors section have websites that offer advice. One in particular, www.margosupplies.com, has information about to electric fencing for bears. Three other sites, www.gallagherusa.com, www.fishock.com, and www.premier1supplies.com offer "how to" installation information.