DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Title

EFFECTIVENESS OF SQUIRREL FENCING FOR PROTECTING PECAN GROVES

Authors

McAlister D. Maxwell, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
J. Grant Huggins, Noble Foundation
Clark E. Adams, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

April 1995

During 1994, we tested the hypothesis that an energized, high-tensile wire fence prevents fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) from crossing into a pecan (Carya illinoensis) grove. When the fence was energized, we recorded fewer (P = 0.03) trips across the fence by squirrels (n - 19) and fewer (P < 0.001) telemetry fix-points in the pecan grove. Effective squirrel fencing may offer wildlife managers an alternative method of damage prevention. Ecological ramifications to target and non-target species are discussed.