Many stretches of fence in the high country of Arizona known for elk crossing, have pvc pipe on the top wire. Lots of fences are broken down by the elk dragging their feet over the top wire. The pvc rolls when they hit it and the wire is not stressed. Also, at night, elk can see the white pvc and clear it. This method has been very effective.
If the elk are spooked, they will probably still crash blindly through the fence, but at least this method saves some of the fence.
