Rapidly deployable and effective methods are needed to contain free-ranging deer (Odocoileus spp.) during acute disease outbreaks. We evaluated efficacy of a 2.1-m-tall polypropylene mesh (poly-mesh) fence for containing ≥15 free-ranging white-tailed deer (O. virginianus) within a 42-ha area in eastern Nebraska, USA. We observed a 99% decrease in deer leaving the enclosure area after we installed fencing (1 deer jumped; 0.02 deer/hr) compared with prefence rates (5.26 deer/hr). However, 8 deer (53% of censused population) escaped the enclosure during a census drive after our study. Poly-mesh fencing may be effective in temporarily containing free-ranging deer during minimally disruptive deer removal actions such as trapping or sharpshooting.
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1 September 2010
Response of Deer to Containment by a Poly-Mesh Fence for Mitigating Disease Outbreaks
Michael J. Lavelle,
Justin W. Fischer,
Scott E. Hygnstrom,
Joshua J. White,
Aaron M. Hildreth,
Gregory E. Phillips,
Kurt C. Vercauteren
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containment
disease
fence
livestock
Odocoileus virginianus
white-tailed deer
wildlife damage management
