High Fenced Deer

For more than forty years high fences have been causing controversy among Texans. These 8’ fences are sometimes called “deer proof fences” when actually they aren’t. Deer can and will jump over these fences so they are not “deer proof.” What bothers many hunters is that construction of fences continues to escalate basically fencing hunters and deer in, or out. Which is it?

Deer actually belong to the people of the State of Texas. How then can a landowner erect a high fence and restrict or limit deer movement from one property to another? Perhaps a more important question is why are landowners erecting high fences at such an aggressive rate? It may surprise you but the number one reason for high fences is frustration. Different landowners have different wildlife management plans. While one owner may elect to aggressively manage for trophy deer, their neighbor may not care about a trophy buck. All too often fences are erected as a reaction to folks that don’t share similar wildlife / habitat concerns and it is getting worse.

Perhaps the largest threat to our deer herd is the fragmentation of land. Fragmentation of land is when parcels of land diminish in size. Today more than ever, there are more small ranches and more landowners, which means even more problems for whitetails. Consider this. You have dreamed of owning your own hunting ranch and eventually it came true. Now, you choose to dedicate your land to growing big deer. So you plant food plots, place out supplemental feed and choose to pass on young bucks so they can grow with age. Things are going well and you see some nice young deer that raise your confidence that your plan is working. You think, man in only a few more years this buck will really be a trophy. Opening weekend comes and goes and you enjoy watching the buck. The rut is right around the corner and you become concerned that his uncontrollable desire will get him in trouble and take him off your property. You talk to neighbors and let him know of your concern and respectfully ask them to not shoot this buck, should they see it. But then you learn that the buck you have so much hope for died to another hunter’s bullet. Frustrating, and that is why high fences are being constructed at such an aggressive rate.

When a frustrated landowner makes the costly investment on a high fence ($15,000 a mile) many hunters become outraged, especially if it is on the property next to them. Simply put, these unhappy hunters have been more than likely benefiting from someone else’s work and money.

It is no secret that virtually the entire State of Texas has more deer than the carrying capacity of the land. Left out of balance, native habitat becomes damaged and many times destroyed. Texas Parks & Wildlife biologists aggressively recommend increase doe harvest to protect native habitat. Yet many hunters shoot young bucks rather than does. Improving habitat is important for most landowners and controlling deer numbers is necessary to accomplish it.

While many people call high fenced ranches “enclosures,” there is a new twist on things. These fences are being constructed as “outclosures” according to many biologists. Ranchers already have too many deer and for the rancher that wants to improve habitat,
they must limit how many animals live on their property. Remember when you improve habitat you attract deer. With high fences deer can be controlled easier resulting in better habitat for all wildlife. Ranchers and wildlife biologists use many tools to properly manage habitat and wildlife. Controlled burns are tools, a rifle is a tool and so is the high fence.

The concern by some is that “fair chase” hunting does not occur inside one of these “out closures.” I don’t know of a single high fence rancher that wants deer under every tree. We all should strive to maintain the value of the hunting experience regardless of where the hunt takes place. It is often thought that hunting in one of these outclosures is no challenge. I beg to differ. It is only thought of as no challenge by hunters that have never done it.

Deer living inside an outclosure become extremely aware of their surroundings and as a result become much more difficult to hunt.

Many landowners have realized the value of deer and are managing their properties accordingly. It has become increasingly difficult to make money off their land with traditional agriculture or livestock. The need to make an income off ranch land is ever present. Income from wildlife and deer hunting specifically, enable landowners to keep their properties and preserve native habitat.

Some ranchers owning these “high fenced” properties have actually asked the State of Texas to come and get their deer. Seriously. There are a growing number of landowners that don’t want Texas deer. So far, Texas hadn’t seemed to want those unwanted deer either.

Here is something to think about. If my cow is on a highway and causes an accident. I am responsible. It is my cow. Then why is it when an automobile hits one of Texas’ deer, Texas is not responsible?

While frustration may fuel the fire for high fences, jealousy seems to be the fuel for those against high fences. So which side of the fence are you on?