What is Electric Fencing for Bears?
Bear electric fencing is a highly effective physiological deterrent designed to keep bears away from attractants such as homes, campsites, beehives, livestock, and food storage areas.
An energizer powers an electric fence. The energizer delivers a safe but memorable shock, teaching bears to stay away without causing harm. This reliable deterrent helps prevent conflicts, keeping both people and bears safe while supporting a peaceful coexistence.
Why Use Electric Fencing for Bears?
- ✔ Enhances Human Safety - Reduces the risk of bear-human conflicts and dangerous encounters while increasing the bear's ability to live in the wild.
- ✔ Prevents Property Damage - Keeps bears from raiding trash, damaging beehives, crops or breaking into structures.
- ✔ Keeps Bears in the Wild - Reducing bear-human conflicts increases the bear's ability to live in their natural habitat.
- ✔ Proven Effectiveness - Electric fencing is a top bear deterrent.
- ✔ Protects Wildlife - Encourages bears to rely on natural food sources rather than human-related attractants.
How Bear Electric Fencing Works
Electric fencing consists of a pulsed electric current sent along the fence wire, about one pulse per second, from an energizer, which is grounded. This shock is unpleasant but not harmful, teaching bears to avoid the electric-fenced area.
Bears are highly sensitive to the electric pulse delivered through an electric fence. Bears inquisitively sniff with their wet nose, relying on their keen sense of smell to evaluate a new area. When a bear’s wet nose touches the electric wire, and their big, soft paws are on the ground, the electric circuit is effectively closed, resulting in a sharp, memorable shock.
Behaviour of bears that have had an encounter with an electric fence has been observed sniffing the electric fence. Their keen sniffing ability allows them to sense danger. By gathering scent information, bears can determine if an area is safe or unpleasant. This reinforces the importance of the bear's first experience with an electric fence designed well enough to deliver a memorable shock on the first encounter with the fence.
Best Uses for Bear Electric Fencing
- Residential Protection – Safeguards garbage bins, gardens, and outdoor storage sheds.
- Agriculture & Farming – Protects crops, orchards, aquaculture, apiaries, and livestock.
- Commercial Applications – Highways, Compost and Refuse sites, Landfills, Worker Camps, Campgrounds.
- Camping & Outdoor Areas – Secures food storage and cooking areas.
Tips for Choosing the Right Type of Bear Electric Fence
The intended use, longevity, location, and level of protection needed impact what type of bear electric fence is right for each situation.
Use
Do you need to protect crops, livestock, human-interaction areas or potential food sources? Or is your goal to restrict access to nonfood source areas?
Term
- 1–14 days – Campsites are common scenarios. A compact, portable electric system is ideal for frequent setup and takedown.
- Multiple weeks or seasonal – For crops, apiaries, and orchards. Temporary systems are used once or twice per year.
- Year-round – Used at compost and refuse sites. Permanent structures that may be energized all year or seasonally.
Location
- Access – Are bears accustomed to this location?
- Desirability – Is this area full of food sources or attractants?
- Ease – Is the area on a wildlife path or corridor?
Level of Protection
What is the risk from the attractant? Is it high due to appealing food sources? Is there a resident or habituated bear? Or is the risk low, with no significant attractant? Human or livestock presence may also increase the need for protection.
Types of Bear Electric Fencing
- Permanent Electric
- Temporary Electric
- Portable Electric
Choosing the Right Bear Electric Fence
Selecting the right electric fence depends on your needs, location, and availability of power. Portable electric fences work well for camping, while permanent systems are ideal for farms and homes.
For expert guidance and high-quality bear electric fencing solutions, contact us today!