Deer stewardship (About fences in IA)

Shedhuntermd · Mar 25, 2014

Just food for thought, I found 15-20 dead deer stuck in the top strands of barbwire fences while shed hunting IA last week.
In Maryland where I am from we don't have many fences left so it is no an issue.
I just thought I would bring it up for you guys that own or have control over property to take a look at your fences to see what you can do to prevent these deaths. I am sure if I saw 15-20 last week, there are thousands across the state dieing each year.

LoessHillsArcher · Mar 25, 2014

Interesting - not discounting what you've said but I've never seen this. 15-20 seems like a lot!

Hardwood11 · Mar 25, 2014

I've only witnessed one and that was in Iowa while shed hunting. Interesting though, no reason to see them die that way!

Shedhuntermd · Mar 25, 2014

LoessHillsArcher said:
Interesting - not discounting what you've said but I've never seen this. 15-20 seems like a lot!

I was kind of shocked, seemed most common on fences the had 2 close together strands close to the top of the fence. There would normally be a leg still stuck in the fence then the carcass not far away.

MN Hunter · Mar 25, 2014

I've been shed hunting since 1991 and I've only come across 2 deer that have died as a direct result of fences.

ELKY · Mar 25, 2014

I have found some trapped between the top two strands. The deer I have found were all Fawns or yearlings, however, only one or two a year. I removed some of the barbed wire off my interior fences, but I have a long way to go.

Shedhuntermd · Mar 25, 2014

MN Hunter said:
I've been shed hunting since 1991 and I've only come across 2 deer that have died as a direct result of fences.

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They did appear to be fawns and yearlings primarly.

Booner · Mar 25, 2014

MN Hunter said:
I've been shed hunting since 1991 and I've only come across 2 deer that have died as a direct result of fences.

I've haven't been at it that long but I can honestly count on one hand how many I've come across.

Shedhuntermd how many Iowa sheds did you end up with?

Shedhuntermd · Mar 25, 2014

Booner said:
I've haven't been at it that long but I can honestly count on one hand how many I've come across.

Shedhuntermd how many Iowa sheds did you end up with?

Me and a buddy found 72 or 73....We did pretty good, but we were beat to a lot of places, boot prints in many of the best spots.

Booner · Mar 25, 2014

Shedhuntermd said:
Me and a buddy found 72 or 73....We did pretty good, but we were beat to a lot of places, boot prints in many of the best spots.

Was this all on private or did you walk some public, if you don't mind me asking. That's a heck of a week of shed hunting.

Shedhuntermd · Mar 25, 2014

Booner said:
Was this all on private or did you walk some public, if you don't mind me asking. That's a heck of a week of shed hunting.

Most private, some of the public looked great, but we assumed it was picked over.

Sligh1 · Mar 25, 2014

I found 2 deer stuck in fences this year. I'd say I average 1 or 2 a year. A lot of time, if you don't look close, you don't notice. Found a little leg that was all bone, little hair & a hoof is all this last one. It does happen more than you'd think. I have a blast ripping out all the interior fences on my farms. Since they are only there for cattle and I hate cattle - never to step foot on my ground again - it's a blast ripping that crap down. Yes, it does kill some deer for sure.

KnuckleDragr · Mar 25, 2014

In the better part of 15 years of shed hunting, I have been blessed to have not found a single dead deer in a fence ever. And I've walked a lot of those types of fence over the years. Knock on wood.....

As a side note I did find a carcass that was pinned under a deadfall once. Interesting find that I wish I had taken a picture of.

gunhunter · Mar 25, 2014

I have never seen any shed hunting. But about half between Waukon and decorah on highway 9 there is a strip of woods were I have seen at least 5 hung up. Just figured they got hit on the road and that was there last gasp??

Booner · Mar 25, 2014

Shedhuntermd said:
Most private, some of the public looked great, but we assumed it was picked over.

That's a great week of shed hunting, you must have a hook up. Assuming your buddy you hunted with is from Iowa? Myself and 3 other buddies have busted our tail off this past shed season walking 3-4 times a week since January and just broke the 75 shed mark today. All of which came off private property. Crazy to imagine you came here as a freelancer and found that many!

Liv4Rut · Mar 25, 2014

I have seen one in my life and it was off interstate 380. I have walked 100s of miles in the woods and never found one. Hope I never do.

Sligh1 · Mar 25, 2014

just for fun...
http://video.foxnews.com/v/33898581...loving-family/?intcmp=obnetwork#sp=show-clips

JNRBRONC · Mar 25, 2014

I've probably found a dozen dead deer hanging in fences through the years. Been awhile since I have found one.

Shedhuntermd · Mar 26, 2014

mumms said:
I shed hunt my tail off walking at least 200 miles a season average for the last four to five years and can honestly say I saw my first deer tangled in a fence this year, it was while I was driving not walking, so 15 to 20 in a week seems ridicoulus, has anybody played that one card game from that one movie with that hot blonde in it, might have to call BS

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I am just a Biologist from MD that is crazy about deer and thought you might find our findings interesting, sorry I posted.

hornhntr · Mar 26, 2014

I found 4 two years ago in 1/4 mile of my fence. All yearlings. Funny thing is I drive down this road alot and I think they die fairly quick as I found them all after they had been dead and partially eaten.

Deer stewardship (About fences in IA)

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