Step-by-Step Guide to Installing Wildlife Exclosures

Wildlife exclosures are a vital tool used in conservation, ecological research, and land management to protect specific areas from animal disturbance. By creating a barrier that prevents wildlife from entering, researchers and land managers can study vegetation growth, monitor habitat changes, and foster the regeneration of sensitive plant species. Whether you’re a landowner aiming to preserve native flora or a researcher conducting an ecological experiment, understanding how to properly install wildlife exclosures is essential.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process of installing wildlife exclosures—from planning and material selection to construction and maintenance—ensuring your project’s success.

What Are Wildlife Exclosures?

Wildlife exclosures are fenced-off areas designed to keep animals out. They can vary greatly in size—from small plots for research purposes to extensive sections protecting young forests or fragile ecosystems. The primary function is to exclude herbivores such as deer, rabbits, or rodents that may damage vegetation by grazing or trampling.

Exclosures help in:

• Allowing vegetation to regenerate naturally without interference
• Studying the effects of herbivory on plant communities
• Protecting endangered or rare plant species
• Preventing soil erosion by maintaining ground cover

Planning Your Wildlife Exclosure

Before purchasing materials and starting construction, thorough planning is imperative.

Define Your Objectives

Identify why you need an exclosure:

• Is it for research or conservation?
• Do you want to protect seedlings, test a restoration technique, or monitor plant growth?
• Which species do you need to exclude?

Knowing your goals determines the design, size, and materials.

Select the Location

Choose an area representative of your broader landscape or targeted for protection. Consider:

• Accessibility for installation and monitoring
• Terrain features; ensure it’s not prone to flooding or landslides
• Vegetation type and density
• Presence of wildlife species you want to exclude

Determine the Size

The size depends on your objectives:

• Research plots can range from 1 square meter up to several hundred square meters.
• Larger conservation areas may require hundreds of square meters or more.

Larger exclosures reduce edge effects but require more materials and labor.

Identify Target Species

Understanding which animals you want to exclude influences fencing design:

• Large mammals like deer require high fencing (6–8 feet tall).
• Small mammals such as rabbits or rodents need tighter mesh wire.
• Birds may require overhead netting if they pose a threat.

Obtain Necessary Permissions

If working on public land or working with protected species, check local regulations and secure permits before installation.

Materials Needed for Wildlife Exclosure Installation

Selecting appropriate materials ensures durability and effectiveness.

Fencing Material

• Welded Wire Mesh: Strong and durable; available in various mesh sizes. Suitable for excluding medium to large mammals.
• Chicken Wire: Lightweight with small mesh; good for excluding small mammals but less durable.
• Chain Link Fence: Very sturdy but more expensive; used for large-scale installations.

Mesh size should be small enough to prevent the smallest target animal from entering.

Fence Posts

Posts support the fencing material vertically. Options include:

• Wooden Posts: Common and economical; typically cedar or treated pine.
• Metal T-posts: Durable and easy to install with post drivers.

Height depends on target species; usually between 6–8 feet for deer exclusion.

Staples, Clips, and Fasteners

To attach wire mesh securely to posts:

• Fence Staples: Used with wooden posts.
• Wire Clips: Used with metal posts.

Ensure enough fasteners for secure installation at every post.

Tools Required

• Post driver or sledgehammer (for driving posts)
• Wire cutters
• Pliers
• Gloves (to protect hands from wire)
• Measuring tape
• Level (optional)

Additional Materials (Optional)

• Gate(s) for access points
• Plastic mesh or bird netting (for overhead protection)
• Ground anchors to prevent digging under fence

Step-by-Step Installation Process

Follow these detailed steps for installing your wildlife exclosure effectively.

Step 1: Mark the Perimeter

Using stakes and string or spray paint, mark out the exact boundary of your exclosure. Measure carefully using a tape measure ensuring right angles and straight lines where possible.

Step 2: Install Fence Posts

Place fence posts at regular intervals—typically every 8–10 feet—to support the fencing material adequately.

1. Dig holes approximately 18–24 inches deep for wooden posts using a post hole digger.
2. For metal T-posts, use a post driver or sledgehammer to drive them into the ground firmly.
3. Ensure posts are vertical using a level if available.
4. For corners and gateposts, use sturdier posts set deeper for extra stability.

Step 3: Attach Wire Mesh

Start attaching your wire mesh at one corner post:

1. Unroll the wire mesh along the perimeter.
2. Secure one end of the mesh tightly to the first post using staples or wire clips.
3. Pull the mesh taut as you move along the fence line—this prevents sagging.
4. Attach the mesh to each post securely with appropriate fasteners.
5. Overlap any ends of wire mesh by at least 6 inches and secure firmly together.
6. At corners, bend the wire around the post tightly and secure well.
7. For additional strength on longer runs, use tension wires at top or bottom if necessary.

Step 4: Secure Bottom of Fence

To prevent animals from burrowing underneath:

1. Bury the bottom edge of the fence 6–12 inches below ground level by digging a shallow trench before installation, placing the wire inside, then backfilling soil over it.
2. Alternatively, attach an apron of wire mesh angled outward away from the fence base extending 12–24 inches above ground.
3. Stake this apron down firmly with U-shaped stakes.

Step 5: Install Gates (If Needed)

Designate entry points where gates will be installed:

1. Use gate frames with hinges attached securely to strong posts.
2. Attach matching fencing material to gates ensuring no gaps remain when closed.
3. Install latches that can be securely locked but are accessible for authorized users.

Step 6: Final Inspection

Walk around your completed exclosure checking for:

• Loose wires or fasteners needing tightening
• Gaps under fence edges
• Stability of posts
• Functionality of gates

Make necessary adjustments immediately.

Maintenance Tips for Wildlife Exclosures

Proper maintenance prolongs fence life and ensures continued effectiveness.

Regular Inspections

Check fences monthly during growing season and after storms for damage caused by falling branches, erosion, or animals attempting entry.

Repair Damage Promptly

Fix holes, loose wires, rusted staples, or leaning posts without delay.

Control Vegetation Around Fence Line

Remove brush and vines that may put pressure on fencing material causing deformation or collapse.

Monitor Effectiveness

Regularly observe whether target species are successfully excluded by looking for signs like tracks inside fenced area or browsing damage within.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Animals Digging Under Fence

Consider extending buried wire deeper underground or adding a concrete footer in problem spots.

Fencing Sagging Between Posts

Add intermediate bracing wires horizontally between posts or reduce spacing between posts during initial construction.

Rusting Fence Components

Use galvanized steel materials resistant to corrosion; replace heavily rusted parts promptly.

Conclusion

Installing wildlife exclosures is a straightforward yet impactful conservation practice that protects sensitive ecosystems from animal disturbances. By carefully planning your project—selecting suitable materials, accurately installing fences with attention to detail, and committing to regular maintenance—you create a protected environment conducive to vegetation recovery and scientific study.

Whether you’re safeguarding young trees from deer browsing or setting up experimental plots to understand herbivore impacts on plant communities, following these step-by-step guidelines will help ensure your wildlife exclosure performs effectively over many seasons. Protect your habitat today by constructing well-designed exclosures that balance ecosystem needs with practical field applications!