elk

Hi,
Does anyone have any advice for elk? I have a 1/2 acre area that I want to exclude them from and I don't want to get an 8' fence. Urine does not work, nor does my neighbor's free-roaming dog. I want to get an electric fence, but have heard that they'll just go through it if they've been regular visitors to the garden. Does anyone have experience with this, or any solar fence recommendations?

Thanks!

Hi, Melissa...welcome to permies!
I don't know the answer to your question...we ended up with a nine foot fence after years of trying other things that didn't work for deer. I imagine elk are at least as difficult?...maybe someone else can help you out here.

Hello Melissa...welcome to Permies.com...!!

Out in Northern AZ I have had folks with this issue...

The only full proof deterrent I know at this time that does not included sanction/removal of the offending "Wapiti" is a fence of correct proportion...even a nice and simple traditional split rail type will work, and a good LSD. I am not fond of dogs running free, yet with the new technology of collard dog and distance proximity rang devices and training collars, the dog learns his range, there is no visible fence, and no need to put wires in the ground.

Good luck...and maybe someone has a better solution.

Regards,

j

Thanks Jay,
A large fence is what everyone says, but that's out of our budget. I just bought an electric fence and will report back on whether that works. Funny thing is, all the fence companies around basically told us not to bother with fencing - our local airport has a 10' fence and they say the elk are still getting through! I find that hard to believe. The rainy season has started in N. Arizona so hopefully the garden is less of a temptation.

Also - I used to live in Vermont too - up near Island Pond. Love that state.

Melissa

Does anyone have any advice for elk?

Yeah. Any beef stew recipe seems to work well with elk...just add a little extra fat. LOL

Other than that, most fences that work for deer should work for elk.
A common remedy is two fences about 5 feet apart.
A deer can jump high, and a deer can jump long...but it cannot do both at once.
The space between the fences does not allow him to get a running start on the inner fence.
(I have known people who used this technique. They loved it because this year's freezer deer was conveniently trapped between the two fences. A short packing hike to get him from fell to the freezer.)

Search bone sauce on this forum. I'm on my phone and don't know how to imbed the link.

Dagnabit John P......don't give out all our secrets!!!


Seriously, fences don't have to coast as much (other than time of course which does have value) as many think. Split rail, and traditional fences can be made from lest expensive wood. I have seen some (and built some) really nice fences from "free" slab wood. Out there in AZ land, you can get "zig zags" to last for over a century without much effort considering the dry weather. And...per John P's hint and nod...if any Wapiti do present as a true "nuisance animal" then very well should end up in a permaculturalist meat freezer.

Good luck and let us know if we can do more...any ideas? we are here to have them bounced off of...

I've had good luck keeping deer out, and goats in, by BAITING electric fence, and I'd guess it might work with elk too. Hang one wire at nose height of the critters in question, and put little tags of aluminum foil every six to ten feet along it. Put a bait swatch on each tag, facing out. (Peanut butter is the default....most animals love it). Animal will small the bait and give the tag a lick or nibble and get a REALLY good shock! He won't be back for months, and will warn all of his friends, too....

John Polk wrote:

Does anyone have any advice for elk?

Yeah. Any beef stew recipe seems to work well with elk...just add a little extra fat. LOL

Other than that, most fences that work for deer should work for elk.
A common remedy is two fences about 5 feet apart.
A deer can jump high, and a deer can jump long...but it cannot do both at once.
The space between the fences does not allow him to get a running start on the inner fence.
(I have known people who used this technique. They loved it because this year's freezer deer was conveniently trapped between the two fences. A short packing hike to get him from fell to the freezer.)

Elk has more fat in it, than beef. You have to cook it low ans slow on the grill, or it will catch on fire. I took a elk cow in 2010, some good eating.
Normally I would say "have gun, will travel" but a $665 non resident tag kills that idea.