What characteristic is crucial for electric fencing to deter bears effectively?

The voltage of the system is a critical characteristic for electric fencing to effectively deter bears. When it comes to large, strong animals like bears, having a high voltage is necessary to deliver a strong enough shock to discourage them from approaching or trying to breach the fence. Bears are naturally curious and powerful creatures, often requiring an impactful deterrent to remain cautious and avoid the area protected by the fence.

Higher voltage electric fences can provide a significant shock, which serves as an aversive stimulus, making the bears associate the fence with a negative experience. This experience is essential for reinforcing the behavior of staying away from such an area. While height, color, and material of the fence can be relevant in various contexts or may contribute to the overall effectiveness of a bear deterrent system, they do not have the same immediate impact on the animal's behavior as the voltage of the electric charger does.