Bear fence height on tundra

[colonel00]

So I am debating the idea of buying a bear fence (or making my own setup) but I wanted to get some input on what people have found to be the best height for use on tundra. Long story short, I am doing a caribou hunt on the slope this September and there is a high probability that I will be stashing a raft and other gear for a couple days while we hunt out of a spike camp. I just like the idea of having the fence around the gear and raft. Looking at the UDAP site, they recommend the "Outfitter" version with longer poles for use on tundra. I guess these are 48" as opposed to the standard poles that are 40" or so. Whether I purchase a kit or make my own, any input on recommended heights for the poles?

 

[Troy Hamon]

Strands don't need to be more than 30" above ground in my opinion. Lowest strand is more important...good and low less than 10" is ideal. You don't want a cub under the fence with an agitated mother outside.

Bear noses are not high off the ground when they are in travel mode. You want your fence highly visible so they will stop to investigate...that is also much more important than height.

I try to mark all the bear trails by peeing on them a ways away from the fence so the bear is in investigation mode before it gets to the fence.

Sometimes it is hard to get a good ground. Multiple linked short ground rods are better than one long one because if the tundra overlays rocks you won't be able to drive the rod in far anyway...

I'm sure I left out something but that is my short summary of fence considerations related to what I think applies to your question...

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[colonel00]

Thanks for the reply and good info, Troy. I guess my main question was more about how long the pole should be to allow me to get down and have a fairly firm anchor while still having enough exposed pole to get up to the 30" like you mention. It seems to make sense that I would need the poles to be 42-48" to be able to get down into the tundra and then extend up over the tussocks if necessary so that the lowest wire still clears contact with vegetation. Since we are stowing the raft and some gear, I would probably rather have it tucked down in the tundra as opposed to out in an open clearing.

 

[Troy Hamon]

Most poles only go in 8 to 10 inches but I would have to look at the specific poles to assess them. Sounds like a fun trip.

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