John,

I think a lot of people fail to realize the real needs and ways of animals. Most animals keep a defined territory. Granted these can be of different size depending on the species but they STAY in these territories, a fence does not keep them there.

In reality, very few animals are truely migratory. If there is food and water, they will establish a territory within range of such.

I've observed enough animals to see they stay within their own established boundaries even when pursued by preditors. I know I can go back to that same core area the next day or a few hours later and still find that same animal quite near the same spot I first saw it.

So how much acerage is needed to define a fair chase or free animal? How much acerage does a steenbuck need? How much acerage does a kudu need? An impala? A buffalo? There are plentiful studies available that do study individual species and their actual range. They are all territorial so many times I see no relevance in the fence issue.

Are high fences really a fence in our minds? Food for thought.