The idea of running an auxiliary ground wire a few inches away from the hot is clever, I may have to try that. The effectiveness of an electric deer fence is influenced by your 'deer pressure'. Basically, how many deer you have around. The more deer, the more likely the fence will not be as effective. I didn't want to bait my fence (sounds like way too much work keeping peanut butter on the foil strips) so use a higher voltage (so I was told). My energizer is rated at 10,500 volts. My cheap tester can't read that high so I don't know if it actually has that voltage but it sure smarts when I touch it! I have very light deer pressure but never have a deer problem when the fence is on and working. I shut it down during the winter because the snow will short it out. I have been told that it is the only way to keep bears out. Since I have bee hives and bears are within 20 miles of my house, that is a concern. No bears yet! Of course, everyone knows that electric fences attract tree limbs that knock them down!