Gallagher update
Well I must say that so far I am impressed with what we are seeing. The fence is perfroming well and it should not be to much longer before we post the video documentary of what we are seeing. Stay tuned and I assure you it is worth the wait.
Scott Roebuck
Gallagher fence Project
Gallagher Electric Fence Testing Studies2008 Protocols
General: The purpose of these tests is to evaluate and demonstrate effectiveness of Gallagher fencing systems for the following:
ü Protecting food plots during early establishment from deer predation.
ü Protection of food plots from wild hogs.
ü Protection of corn feeders from non-target animals, especially raccoons and wild hogs.
Locations: These studies will take place at three locations. The first will be at the DeerChannel.com facilities at Stephenville, TX. This will be the primary venue for demonstrating effectiveness of electric fences in keeping deer out of food plots during establishment. One replication will be a study to assess effectiveness of electric barriers in keeping raccoons from corn feeders and free-choice protein feeders. Since, there are no hogs at the facility, it will not be possible to conduct such a study there.
The second venue will be at the research facility at Nacogdoches. This will represent a second replicate in the above studies, but since there also are no hogs at this facility, it will not be possible to conduct the wild hog study there either. However, there are known populations of deer in each pasture, making an ideal situation for testing effectiveness under two deer densities. Video transmission is not possible from this facility at this time, so video will be obtained, then broadcast in a delayed manner over the DeerChannel system.
The third location will be at a secure hunting club in East Texas where there are large quantities of wild hogs. Video monitoring will be via standard infrared-triggered devices and direct videotaping from observation areas. This area has not been selected at this time, but we have a host of potential areas to choose from.
Procedures:
Deer Food Plot Study
The first study will be conducted at Stephenville. It will consist of two parts. First, there is an existing chicory plot on the research area that is well-established. Deer currently are using this area heavily. The plot will be divided into two parts, one fenced the other not fenced. Video monitors will be positioned to record deer use 24/7 on these plots. Extreme care will be taken to assure fencing remains fully energized during this study and other studies. This study can begin immediately.
The second study will take place at both Stephenville and Nacogdoches. In March, iron-and-clay cowpeas will be planted in side by side plots, with one plot fenced in each pair. At Stephenville, the plot will be monitored as above; while at Nacogdoches, plots will be monitored by infrared-triggered cameras and human observation.
Wild Hog Food Plot Protection Study
A third study will take place at the East Texas hunting club, and will follow the same protocol as the two previous studies. However, this study will include wild hogs. This study will begin in the early spring.
Deer Feeder Study
Corn spin feeders will be erected at Stephenville, with and without electric fence barriers for raccoon control. These fences will be constructed to deter raccoons, without affecting deer ingress and egress. A subset of this study will involve trough protein feeders. This project will be implemented as soon as practical and run through one year.
A similar study will be conducted on the East Texas hunting club, the difference being both raccoons and wild hogs will be the non-targets. Both spin corn feeders and protein feeders will be studied. This study will begin in the early spring.
