Protecting Your Hose(s and Wiring)

Don's brother is the second mention of chicken wire. It must be helping or folks would not bother. However, I would normally assume the need to dig it in around 6-12 inches to prevent something like a marmot from burrowing under it. And I expect chicken wire users are not doing anything like that.

Mice could climb over it, I would guess.

Anyone personally used chicken wire and, if so, how?

Thanks,

DancesWithKnives
 
The marmots at Mineral King in Sequoia NP are legendary for their appetite for hoses and belts, especially in the early season. I have used chicken wire around my car there - wrap it around and then put rocks on the bottom all the way around so they can't go under.

This is usually effective, but the last time I used this method, a marmot climbed up on the side of the chicken wire to the top, got it to bend outward from the car, and then went in the gap. When I came down from my dayhike, a marmot was chewing on the insulation on the firewall. At least it didn't go after hoses or belts. I probably didn't wrap it tightly enough.

Another method used at Mineral King is to drive your vehicle on top of a huge tarp, then pull up all the edges to tie around the top of the car.
 
Thanks John! I really like the tarp idea. Low tech and relatively easy/cheap. I got a huge silver tarp on sale at Harbor Freight. Toss a few mothballs on it for bears and rodent backup---you would be good to go.

I have a portable electric bear fence for Alaska hunting/fishing. Wonder if that could be made to work? A little peanut butter on the conductor and those varmints probably would stay clear after that first lick!

Much appreciated,

DancesWithKnives
 
Ye gods! I am so lucky to live in a country where we don't have bears, snakes, marmots, and all that stuff.

On the downside, we do have to worry about the two-legged critters at roadends. I know a few people who take everything from their car in a bag and hide it in the bushes 1/4 hour into the track.

B
 
Nearly two years ago, I read an article about the increasing number of people in the woods losing their footgear to this problem. The article's focus was on Canada, and the main culprit was Porcupine. The story included some real horror tales of people several days removed from civilization awakening only to find themselves bootless. Not trying to divert your thread, just a similar problem.
 
Beavers will make off with your boots, canoe paddles and such too. I learned many years ago to bring my paddles into the tent at night.
 
I am happy to discuss related varmint problems. I have done a lot of canoeing and rafting in northern Canada/Alaska so I am conscious of these issues. Anything that absorbs salt from you sweating on it can end up being chewed by the critters.

DancesWithKnives
 
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