John A. Gaut, EAS Master Beekeeper
The materials are for an overall area of 16 feet by 16 feet, enough for up to 8 hives.
The charger is the most expensive item. The total will be about $450.
You will need a post driver for the t-posts. (They should be driven 2′ into the ground The
wooded post should be set 3′ into the ground. )
Below are the materials I suggest for an electric bear fence. I have included the
Amazon links. You can purchase most items from Amazon or at Tractor Supply.
1 – Magnum Solar-Pak 12 $300
https://www.amazon.com/Parmak-Impedance-Operated-Electric-
MAG12SP/dp/B00099FAJI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476748489&sr=8-
1&keywords=Magnum+Solar-Pak+12
1 – Complete Grounding Kit $30
https://www.amazon.com/Field-Guardian-Complete-Grounding-
Kit/dp/B00439QNU0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476748489&sr=8-
2&keywords=Magnum%2BSolar-Pak%2B12&th=1&psc=1
7 – 5′ heavy-duty 1-1/4” studded t-posts (Home Depot) $50
1 – 4″x4″x8′ pressure treated post (Home Depot) for the Solar Pak and gate handles $8
1 – T-360 Electric Fence T-Post Insulator – Black (25/pk) $19 https://www.amazon.com/Zareba-ITY-Z-Standard-Snug-fitting-
Insulator/dp/B005MNJOA2/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1477170075&sr=8-
13&keywords=zareba+insulator
3 – Zareba GHPW-Z Plastic Gate Handle $8
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0079GH858/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3C59OKOW46DCY
1 pack – Zareba WS3 3-Pack Electric Fence Warning Signs $8
https://www.amazon.com/Zareba-WS3-3-Pack-Electric-
Warning/dp/B00EQEY1UG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1477170805&sr=8-
2&keywords=Electric+fence+sign
2 packs of 2 (4 Total) – Zareba AWPA-Z Wood Post Gate Handle Anchor $12
https://www.amazon.com/Zareba-AWPA-Z-Wood-Handle-
Anchor/dp/B0079GH2JK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477170893&sr=8-
1&keywords=awpa-z
Polywire is used because it is visible to animals (both dear and bear) at night and is
easily repaired. $18
https://www.amazon.com/Farmily-Portable-Electric-Polywire-
Conductors/dp/B074X9X6XQ/ref=sr_1_34?crid=37146EA9ISVRQ&keywords=polywire+
electric+fence&qid=1574429621&sprefix=polywire%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-34
You will need a few short lengths of 12 Gauge insulated copper wire to make the
connections.
You will also need some connectors for the wire.
The fence should be 16′ on each side with a post every 8′.
The 4×4 post should be on the corner at the entrance gate. The Solar Pack will be
mounted on the post with the solar panel facing South. The wire will run on the inside of
the posts. The steel tee posts should be driven so the studs are toward the inside. The
corner posts should be at a 45 degree angle with the studs toward the inside.
There will be 3 wires. The first should be 12″ above the ground, the second 24″ above
the ground and the third 36″ above the ground.
This fence should deter the bears and is not too expensive. I use a similar design at
most of my yards. No bear problems there so far. Deer have ripped through the fence;
it was easily repaired.
I attached are pictures of the fences at two locations, one without hives and the other
with four hives.
