I would fence! the expense here is the "T" posts. Using Field fencing is the cheapest way to go. A 330' roll will vary in price but runs from $78.00 - $150.00. Some tractor supplies carry it, fencing companies carry it, and from time to time you can find a hardware store with it.

I prefer to purchase the 48" high (the highest it comes in) and use 8" "T" posts.

I place fencing right on the ground. It will stay there! later I will come back with a shovel and dig out a shovelfull of dirt from under the edge on both sides and then throw it right on top so the edge gets burried. WHY? because no dog, coyote or wolf can dig in! and my dogs can't dig out!

I place the "T" posts in the ground right in the middle of the fencing laying on the ground so there is 2 feet on either side.

I am ready to put up the fence. make sure you have the "T" posts in the right way so you can come back and put up a hot wire... later.

At this point you have a couple of choices. Your fence is only 4 feet tall. You can run 3 strands of hot wire on top and one at the bottom, one in the middle if you want too (but use the 6 inch extensions to keep the livestock and dogs off the fence) or 3 strands of barbed wire and hot wire later.

I personally come back with another row of field fencing and over lay it 2 feet so I end up with a 6 foot fence and a 3 rows of hot wire.. top.middle.bottom with the 6 inch extensions to keep the dogs off.

Dogs, Coyotes, Wolves won't come over a 6 foot fence.
They can clear a 4 foot fence grab a small goat, chicken, dog, cat, baby and jump back over.
They can clear a 5 foot fence but can't get back over with something in their mouths.
They won't even attempt a 6 foot fence.

Digging at the bottom of a fence to get under. It has been my experience that dogs, coyotes and wolves go right to the fence and start to dig. If there is fencing down, they give up, if they see the edge.. they will start to dig at the edge.

I have also found that they 'usually' dig down about 18 inches and give up but have had some do down 24". this is why laying down fence on the ground works so well. I would love it if my fencing on the ground was wider but too had to fence mountains and valleys and keep the edge burried.

Those solar lights with a motion detector works great stationed in several locations along the fence line..hopefully you live where there is some sun each day and not all dark and dreary!

If you have dogs, they will go to the location of the attempted breach and depending on where you have your motion detector, the dogs can have it set off or you can have the predator set it off. this will depend on the terrain and plants. I have lots of sage brush, elderberry trees, pines, and etc.. the predator stays in the brush and I never see them, though the dogs do. I have my lights set to go off with my dogs but angles the light into the brush.

My dogs will take on anything.. and my fencing will stop most predators.. but bears go through the fence.. over actually as does the mountain lions, raccoons and small varmints. The light on and dogs barking and usually that is enough to cause the predators to mosey down the road.

I do have wireless cameras. I went with the X10.com system. Motion detector causes the videos to record. Having dogs... not needed <evil grin>

The fencing is my first line of defense, my dogs are my second line of defense... I am the last line! when the dogs bark, I am up and ready to investigate. Of course I have learned to read my dogs bark.

Is my plan perfect? no, but so far it has worked for us. I am protecting my livestock as I back up to 1000's of acres of National Forest as well as my home.

Saucy Rose