Looking for advice/input on solar fence chargers

[ws6duramax]

Looking for some real world experience with solar fence chargers . We put out quite a few acres of food plots every year , the deer just demolish them and there is nothing left come fall/winter . I will be putting up some fencing so I can let the plots mature and so the wildlife can really benefit from it .

There is no way to get electric to any of them . There are so many options , most with mixed reviews . I'm hoping someone here has some experience with them . Any input is greatly appreciated

 

[patience0830]

Looking for some real world experience with solar fence chargers . We put out quite a few acres of food plots every year , the deer just demolish them and there is nothing left come fall/winter . I will be putting up some fencing so I can let the plots mature and so the wildlife can really benefit from it .

There is no way to get electric to any of them . There are so many options , most with mixed reviews . I'm hoping someone here has some experience with them . Any input is greatly appreciated

Buy a good quality deep cycle battery if you plan to use it multiple years.

 

[bwframe]

The weather is pretty rough on solar fence chargers over the long term. Their lifetime is shorter than might be thought. The last year or three will be comprised of frequent maintenance.

 

[Old Dog]

I have seen deer clear a 6' chain link fence, so there is a good chance they will just jump over your electric fence, or flat out run through it if they don't see it. Get a charger rated for the total length of fence you intend to charge ie. 1/2 mile, 1 mile etc. Get the best battery and solar panel/charger you can afford. Use vinyl surveyors tape to flag the posts and wire so it can be seen and good luck.

 

[ws6duramax]

I have seen deer clear a 6' chain link fence, so there is a good chance they will just jump over your electric fence, or flat out run through it if they don't see it. Get a charger rated for the total length of fence you intend to charge ie. 1/2 mile, 1 mile etc. Get the best battery and solar panel/charger you can afford. Use vinyl surveyors tape to flag the posts and wire so it can be seen and good luck.

I'm not looking to keep them out 100% or even close to that , just something to slow them down . From what I've seen , as long as there is another food source available they will avoid a fenced area for the most part . If the weather is bad or food sources become scarce , its game over . At the present time they took my 3 acre plot of beans that were 8-10'' tall and looking great , down to bare ground in a week . It's the same story year after year .
One of my adjoining landowners has some fencing up and seems to work well . I'm hoping he will show me around so I check it out . They don't seem to bother his until either he open them up or the weather gets bad . All my plots by row crops do ok , it's the remote/secluded ones that never stand a chance

 

[two70]

I'm not looking to keep them out 100% or even close to that , just something to slow them down . From what I've seen , as long as there is another food source available they will avoid a fenced area for the most part . If the weather is bad or food sources become scarce , its game over . At the present time they took my 3 acre plot of beans that were 8-10'' tall and looking great , down to bare ground in a week . It's the same story year after year .
One of my adjoining landowners has some fencing up and seems to work well . I'm hoping he will show me around so I check it out . They don't seem to bother his until either he open them up or the weather gets bad . All my plots by row crops do ok , it's the remote/secluded ones that never stand a chance

While deer are capable of clearing even 8' fences they are very reluctant to jump any obstacle when a second obstacle is visible close behind the first. That is the reason that even very short double fences with a second wire a few feet inside of the first are very effective at keeping deer out. You are quite correct on the proximity of other food sources being a key though. Another option to consider in the future is planting forage type soybeans in such areas instead of regular soybeans. The forage soybeans don't need to be protected as carefully for as long since they are able to withstand much greater browsing pressure once they are established.