Which feature is recommended for a woodchuck exclusion fence?

Which feature is recommended for a woodchuck exclusion fence?

• A. A fence at least 3 feet high, with lower edge buried 10-12 inches and top outward bend
• B. A fence 2 feet high, buried 2 inches
• C. A 6-foot chain-link fence with no burial
• D. A wooden palisade

Answer: (A)

Woodchucks are strong diggers and can also climb or leap over exposed barriers, so an exclusion fence has to address both digging under the barrier and getting over it. The best design is a fence that’s tall enough to deter jumping, with the bottom edge buried deep to stop tunneling, and with a top that overhangs outward to discourage climbing. Specifically, at least three feet high helps prevent passing over, burying the lower edge about 10–12 inches blocks most burrowing attempts, and the top outward bend provides a physical barrier that makes it harder for the animal to reach and push past the fence. The other options fall short because they don’t reliably prevent either digging or climbing: a shorter fence is easy to jump; minimal burial allows undermining; a tall fence with no burial offers no underground protection; and a wooden palisade may be gnawed through or still lacks an effective underground barrier.

Woodchucks are strong diggers and can also climb or leap over exposed barriers, so an exclusion fence has to address both digging under the barrier and getting over it. The best design is a fence that’s tall enough to deter jumping, with the bottom edge buried deep to stop tunneling, and with a top that overhangs outward to discourage climbing. Specifically, at least three feet high helps prevent passing over, burying the lower edge about 10–12 inches blocks most burrowing attempts, and the top outward bend provides a physical barrier that makes it harder for the animal to reach and push past the fence.

The other options fall short because they don’t reliably prevent either digging or climbing: a shorter fence is easy to jump; minimal burial allows undermining; a tall fence with no burial offers no underground protection; and a wooden palisade may be gnawed through or still lacks an effective underground barrier.