I'm told that in some midwest states, a lot of hunters would hold down the top strand of barbed wire with the forearm of their guns while crossing. I got that as an explanation of why I've seen so many guns with forearm wood that looked like a beaver chewed it.
In my state, I've observed most guys pressing down the top strand with the gun's buttplate... which might explain very worn and scratched buttplates on otherwise decent looking guns. No doubt there are more fences to cross in the East, but there are lots of ways people find to abuse their guns.
I usually use my hand on the top fence strand, and save the buttplate, except on electric fences. A word of advice: Don't let that wire slip while you are straddling an electric fence. If you do it in the East, they will hear you out West.
