Quick Answer
Effective predator fence systems combine a physical barrier (woven wire or welded wire mesh) with electric wire at key contact points (6-inch height to prevent digging, top wire to prevent climbing) and a buried wire apron to prevent tunneling. No single component provides reliable predator exclusion — the combination is what works. Electric bait fencing (with peanut butter or bacon bait strips) is the most effective approach for bears specifically.
Coyote and Fox Exclusion
Coyotes and foxes primarily dig under rather than climb over fences. System components:
- 4–5-foot woven wire or welded wire (2x4-inch mesh) as main barrier
- Electric wire at 6 inches height, 6 inches outside the fence — shocks the animal attempting to dig
- Buried wire apron: 18 inches horizontal, buried 4–6 inches deep, extending outward from fence base
- Top electric wire at 54–60 inches for climbing deterrence
This combination stops 95%+ of coyote and fox attempts when voltage is maintained at 4,000–5,000V.
Bear Exclusion
Bears are strong enough to break through most physical barriers. Electric bait fencing is more effective than physical barriers:
- 4–5 strands of electric wire at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 inches height
- Foil bait strips with peanut butter or bacon attached to hot wires — bear investigates with nose, receives strong shock at the most sensitive point
- Maintain 6,000–8,000V minimum; bears test fences repeatedly and will push through low-voltage barriers
Raccoon Exclusion
Raccoons are intelligent and persistent. Key: prevent hand-through attacks by using hardware cloth with openings under 2 inches for chicken coops and small animal housing. For general livestock pasture perimeters, 2x4-inch welded wire with an electric wire at 8 inches and a top electric wire deters most raccoons effectively.
Cost Comparison
| System | Materials/100 LF | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Electric only (5 strand) | $40–$80 | Good for coyote, fair for fox |
| Woven wire + 2 electric | $150–$250 | Excellent for coyote/fox |
| Welded wire + buried apron + electric | $200–$400 | Best overall predator exclusion |
| Bear bait fence (5 electric strands) | $50–$100 | Excellent for bear |
Our Recommendation
For areas with active coyote or fox pressure: woven wire with a buried apron and two electric wires (6-inch base and top) is the proven system. For bears: electric bait fencing at 6,000V+ is more cost-effective than attempting a physical barrier a determined bear can break through. Maintain voltage — an underpowered predator fence is worse than no fence because it gives false security while failing to actually deter persistent predators.