The Fence That Was Made for This State
Drive any road in Paradise Valley or the Gallatin Valley and you’ll see jackleg fence — sometimes called buck-and-rail — lining ranches that have used it for generations. There’s a reason it never went out of style: jackleg fencing doesn’t need post holes.
Instead of setting posts in the ground, jackleg fence rests on crossed-leg “bucks” that sit on the surface. That means:
- It works where other fences can’t. Rock ledge, shallow soil, river rock, steep grades — if we can walk it, we can fence it.
- Frost can’t heave it. Montana’s freeze-thaw cycles push set posts out of the ground over time. Jackleg just rides on top.
- It goes up year-round. Frozen ground stops post pounding cold. It doesn’t stop a jackleg build, which makes winter a smart time to schedule one.
- It looks right. Nothing says Montana ranch like a jackleg line running toward the mountains.
Bark-On or Treated — Your Call
We build jackleg two ways:
- Bark-on jackleg keeps the natural bark intact on posts and rails. The look is as rustic and authentic as it gets, and the bark acts as a natural protective layer.
- Treated jackleg uses pressure-treated wood for the longest possible service life against rot, insects, and weather — the right choice for wet ground and hard-working fence lines.
Either way, the construction is the same: solid bucks set at consistent intervals, rails lapped and fastened to stay put under snow load and livestock pressure, and straight lines even across broken ground.
Built for the Job It Has to Do
A boundary fence, a horse pasture, an elk-pressured hay yard, and a decorative entrance line are four different builds. When we walk your property we’ll talk through:
- What the fence needs to contain (or keep out)
- Rail count and height for your animals and wildlife pressure
- Wire additions for dogs, sheep, or garden protection
- Gates, cattle guards, and equipment access
- How the fence ties into your entrance and archway if you want the whole front of the property to work together
Local Crew, Local Wood
We’re based in Bozeman and run our own sawmilling operation, so much of the timber in our fences is cut here in Montana. Our crew has built jackleg across Gallatin and Park counties — Bozeman, Livingston, Emigrant, Pray, Gardiner, Big Sky, Big Timber — on working cattle ranches, horse properties, and luxury homesites alike.
