12.6.1531    MINIMUM FENCE STANDARDS FOR APPLICATIONS FILED AFTER JANUARY 15, 1999, FOR FACILITIES HOLDING CLOVEN-HOOFED UNGULATES

(1) After January 15, 1999, applicants for a game farm license or expansion shall construct game farm exterior fencing for facilities holding cloven-hoofed ungulates in compliance with the following minimum fencing standards and the requirements of ARM 12.6.1535.

(2) Exterior fences must be constructed to a minimum height of eight feet with high tensile 122 gauge, knotted-joint, woven wire game fence with vertical wires every six inches and 17 or more strands of horizontal wires. The fence bottoms must be installed to provide not more than three inches of ground clearance. The fence wire must be placed on the inside of the line posts, or in such other manner as will ensure the integrity of the fence. The fence wire must be secured to each line post in a minimum of five places for wood posts and a minimum of four places for steel posts, including the top and bottom wires. Exterior fences constructed on slopes of 50 percent grade or 30 degrees or greater may require additional, stronger or higher fence posts, special grading, additional wire to increase fence height and other measures. Unless site specific conditions require otherwise, fencing running perpendicular to the slope contour requires standard fencing.

(3) Exterior fence posts must extend a minimum of eight feet above the ground and be of sufficient strength to maintain the fence integrity.

(a) line post requirements are as follows:

(i) wooden line posts must be a minimum of four inches in diameter, treated and be spaced no more than 24 feet apart;

(ii) steel pipe line posts must be a minimum of 2 3/8 inches in diameter and weigh a minimum of three pounds per foot and be spaced no more than 24 feet apart;

(iii) t-posts and channel steel posts must be a minimum of 1.33 pounds per foot and be spaced no more than 20 feet apart, and must be supported by a wooden or steel pipe post every 60 feet;

(iv) additional posts or other measures may be required in wetland areas, heavily timbered areas and irregular terrain, including low and high spots; and

(v) line posts must be set to a minimum depth of 3 feet to provide adequate support for the fence. T-posts must be installed according to manufacturers' specifications.

(b) corner and end posts requirements are as follows:

(i) wooden corner and end posts must be a minimum of 5 inches in diameter and treated;

(ii) steel pipe corner and end posts must be a minimum of 2 7/8 inches in outside diameter;

(iii) corner and end posts of other materials must be of sufficient strength to maintain the fence integrity and must be approved by the department; and

(iv) corner and end posts must be set to a minimum depth of 4 feet to provide adequate support for the fence.

(c) fence bracing requirements are as follows:

(i) posts used for braces must be treated wood or steel pipe and conform with the minimum diameters prescribed in (3)(b)(i) and (ii). Brace posts must be set to a minimum depth of 4 feet to provide adequate support for the fence;

(ii) corner and end braces must be constructed at each point where the direction of the fence changes;

(iii) corner and end braces which brace fence distances of greater than 660 feet must be constructed as a double brace with a total brace distance of 20 feet;

(iv) corner and end braces which brace fence distances of less than 660 feet must be constructed with a brace distance of 12 feet;

(v) in-line braces must be constructed in each fence line that exceeds 1,320 feet between corner or end posts. The in-line brace posts must be spaced no more than 1,320 feet apart in any such fence line; and

(vi) in-line braces must be constructed with a brace distance of 20 feet to provide adequate support for the fence.

(4) All exterior fence gates must be maintained in a closed, locked position at all times except when in use. The gates must have one latching and at least one locking device. All gates must be installed in locations approved by the department.

History: 87-4-422, MCA; IMP, 87-4-426, MCA; NEW, 1999 MAR p. 79, Eff. 1/15/99.