Effects of Interstate highway fencing on white-tailed deer activity
-
Published source details
Feldhamer G.A., Gates J.E., Harman D.M., Loranger A.J. & Dixon K.R. (1986) Effects of Interstate highway fencing on white-tailed deer activity. Journal of Wildlife Management, 50, 497-503.
Published source details Feldhamer G.A., Gates J.E., Harman D.M., Loranger A.J. & Dixon K.R. (1986) Effects of Interstate highway fencing on white-tailed deer activity. Journal of Wildlife Management, 50, 497-503.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
|
Install barrier fencing along roads Action Link |
 |
-
Install barrier fencing along roads
A study in 1981–1983 in forest in Pennsylvania, USA (Feldhamer et al. 1986) found that a 2.7-m-high deer-proof fence reduced the number of white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus on the highway compared to a 2.2-m-high fence, but did not reduce road-kills. A total of 240 groups of deer were observed on the highway alongside 23 km of 2.7-m-high fence compared to 465 alongside 18 km of 2.2-m-high fence. Overall, 1,687 deer (82% of all sightings) were on highway verges. In 1981–1983, one hundred deer died on the highway (1.2 deer/km/year) and numbers did not differ between fence types. Deer were monitored along a 41-km section of a 4–6-lane highway, 23 km of which had a 2.7-m-high mesh fence and the remainder a 2.2-m-high fence with an overhang. Thirty-six spotlight surveys were undertaken along the highway from January 1981 to January 1983.
(Summarised by: Rebecca K. Smith)
)_2023.JPG)
