Every avid camper is aware of the importance of taking precautions to avoid bears in the woods. Of course we all know about using bear canisters, keeping food far from our sleeping quarters, installing bear ropes and indications of bear presence. But offering an extra measure of security while you sleep is what every experienced bushman keeps handy; electric fencing.
Compact electric fencing is refined as ever and perfect for backpacking. There are now tons of models widely available and as portable as ever. The high-end models weigh about 3 pounds, are extremely packable and enclose a 27×27-foot area. Lesser models typically pack down to the same size, weight about the same but enclose a smaller area.
What makes the bears fences so portable is the capacitor delivering a charge of 6,000 volts on just two D-cell batteries. A box switch, three wires and 2 batteries as you can gather take up very little space, but you should always pack extra batteries for a total of 4-6 batteries.
Having been tested at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, analysts actually determined some bears could actually feel the electrical charge in the air. Subsequently, most of the bears shied away before even making physical contact with the charged fence wire. But those that did get shocked left the area completely.
With some basic research on installation, electric fences installation at your campsite is a breeze. For example, if your campsite is surrounded with especially tall grass, you have to cut down this taller growth because it effectively grounds and weakens the charge. Precipitation also can also diminish fence performance. But keep in mind never use an electric fence as a substitute for keeping your campsite cleaned and free of bear-attracting food.