Thoughts on High Fence Hunting

[hntrpat1]

I've deer hunted in a high fence one time. I saw more deer on the unfenced property than I hunt in Madison County than did inside the fence. This is a 1,200 acre property in Hinds County.

The reason this property is fenced is because of neighbors. They would not keep dogs off the place nor would they stop shooting every deer that walked. Therefore he invested in a fence. He does not bring in breeder bucks, but does grow some really nice deer. He got tired of spending a ton of money and time on MANAGING his deer only to have the majority of his efforts go to his neighbors.

When he put the fence when up his neighbors got pissed, because "he was holding all the good deer and now we can't get to them". Wow! I wonder why he put the fence up.

I have no reason to defend the guy; however, I do understand his logic. I also know that he has to HUNT to kill a big deer inside the fence. Yes, he grows bigger deer than free range. Yes, it is easier to kill A DEER in the fence, but most people that fence a property are not trying to kill A DEER.

Lastly, I have no use for people that sell "canned hunts". Put a deer in a five acre pen and let someone shoot it. No thanks -- I'm out.

The big question is -- where is the line drawn? How big an area is considered "fair chase"? Everyone has to make that decision, but I do suggest people not cast a blanket over all high fences. Some are done for the right reason and do not offer a "guaranteed" hunt.

Pond

Thats the thing, they aren't HIS DEER

[pondman]

I've deer hunted in a high fence one time. I saw more deer on the unfenced property than I hunt in Madison County than did inside the fence. This is a 1,200 acre property in Hinds County.

The reason this property is fenced is because of neighbors. They would not keep dogs off the place nor would they stop shooting every deer that walked. Therefore he invested in a fence. He does not bring in breeder bucks, but does grow some really nice deer. He got tired of spending a ton of money and time on MANAGING his deer only to have the majority of his efforts go to his neighbors.

When he put the fence when up his neighbors got pissed, because "he was holding all the good deer and now we can't get to them". Wow! I wonder why he put the fence up.

I have no reason to defend the guy; however, I do understand his logic. I also know that he has to HUNT to kill a big deer inside the fence. Yes, he grows bigger deer than free range. Yes, it is easier to kill A DEER in the fence, but most people that fence a property are not trying to kill A DEER.

Lastly, I have no use for people that sell "canned hunts". Put a deer in a five acre pen and let someone shoot it. No thanks -- I'm out.

The big question is -- where is the line drawn? How big an area is considered "fair chase"? Everyone has to make that decision, but I do suggest people not cast a blanket over all high fences. Some are done for the right reason and do not offer a "guaranteed" hunt.

Pond

Thats the thing, they aren't HIS DEER

I get that there are not HIS deer. I did use that term, but it was meant in the context of deer that he was managing and spending the majority of their life on his place. The problem, for the most part, were dog hunters turning loose and running through his ground.

I'm not saying he's right or wrong. I'm only stating that:
-- I agree with his reasoning
-- Killing a deer on his place is no where close to guarantee
-- He is not a horn porn guy. He is doing to because he is into the management of the herd and he got tired of having the management process interrupted.
-- I would suggest that each situation be evaluated on its own merit rather than blanket statements being thrown around.

[stang67]

A lot of the examples being tossed around could've accomplished the same claimed objective with a shorter fence.

I mentioned it earlier, but does anyone follow Growingdeer.tv? No fence, bad neighbors, poor soil, and A ton of hard work.

[sunnylab]

Some of you guys may consider this... The majority of African Hunts are High Fence.

Just saying...

[stang67]

Some of you guys may consider this... The majority of African Hunts are High Fence.

Just saying...

[SB]

A fundamental reason I'm not in favor of high fences is they violate the public trust doctrine. The fence makes a public resource private.

[mshunter77]

A lot of the examples being tossed around could've accomplished the same claimed objective with a shorter fence.

I mentioned it earlier, but does anyone follow Growingdeer.tv? No fence, bad neighbors, poor soil, and A ton of hard work.

How many acres do they have?

[mshunter77]

I used to be in Oxberry Bayou. All i can say is the Cons of High fence definitely out weigh the Pros.

Very interesting post. Since you have a good bit of experience could you list cons and pros?

[DanP]

A fundamental reason I'm not in favor of high fences is they violate the public trust doctrine. The fence makes a public resource private.

I'll be the devils advocate, for discussions sake.

What if the we the people don't trust the public agencies to manage the resource? Scott, you will know this is not directed at you or your direct colleagues, but at administration. My message to your agency has been that you have to pay good people to keep them around. You have to back policy and regulation with science. We all know how that has worked out. The general public has influenced legislative and administrative decisions that may be in conflict with what's best for the resource(s).

Africa privatized wildlife management because the gubm't failed the resource.

Fact is humans are selfish. We want what we want, right now, screw the resource. When we elect the public officials charged with "managing" the resource how can we really expect that to turn out?

[stang67]

A lot of the examples being tossed around could've accomplished the same claimed objective with a shorter fence.

I mentioned it earlier, but does anyone follow Growingdeer.tv? No fence, bad neighbors, poor soil, and A ton of hard work.

How many acres do they have?

A little over 1k, I think.

[SB]

Dan - I understand and agree with you. You can probably remember being told in collage that, "The hardest part of managing wildlife is managing people." I can only dream about backing up policy and regulation with sound science. If we did that, we would not allow feeding and maybe fencing. Heck, we might not even have antler restrictions today if it was based on biological need(s).

[stang67]

Bump. Score one for us fence haters.

http://www.ducksouth.com/phpbb/viewtopi ... 4#p1074794

[teul2]

Bump. Score one for us fence haters.

http://www.ducksouth.com/phpbb/viewtopi ... 4#p1074794

Lots of discussion of this incident on FB.

[gps4]

No PeeWee, While some high fences may be like that, how bout them boys in LA you and the old grumpy basterd here in the office used to go deal with, 30k acres under fence...they didn't release them from feed pens or anything like that.

At some point the area under fence has to come into play, I mean damn we are all hunting them right now on a damn island, a rather large island, actually a continent, but they are trapped right. I don't know what the right acerage is, but 200-500 or so is to small, 10k, 30k ??? who gives a damn if there's a fence going around it, it aint gonna matter as far as the deer goes.

if my place is just the other side of the fence surrounding 10k-30k acres, im going to give a damn...

[YazooValley]

A fundamental reason I'm not in favor of high fences is they violate the public trust doctrine. The fence makes a public resource private.

Interesting, but it seems to me that by passing laws regulating and essentially approving of high fence enclosures, the Legislature has already abrogated the public trust doctrine in this area. That is, the State/People own the wildlife and the State/People say you can legally build a fence... therefore, having a fence doesn't violate the public trust doctrine.