Working Grassland Habitat Programs

Pronghorn Friendly Fence

Parts of northwestern South Dakota were historically fenced with woven wire fence for sheep.

In some cases such fences are no longer necessary.

Instinctually, pronghorn prefer to crawl under fences as opposed to leaping over them. Woven wire fences can be difficult for pronghorn to cross and can be fatal if animals become entangled. These long barriers can impede critical migration patterns during severe blizzard conditions or long Dakota winters.

New fences constructed must meet the wildlife friendly fence specifications consisting of a maximum top wire height of 42 inches, second strand of wire at 30 inches, third wire at 24 inches, and the bottom smooth wire set at 18 inches above the ground.

Learn more about this program by contacting a habitat advisor.