My parents did it. We had livestock, but the fence was as much for them as for us. My sister and I. We lived on a large dairy farm, different to a station but still dangerous. We had a river 100m from the house and dams dotted all over the preoprty. My parents fenced and electric fenced the house block, so that we couldn't get to the dam or river. We learnt how to get around it, but if you string it right it goves you a time buffer of him actually having to get around the fence before he is outside of the house block at least. If you feel his life could end within minutes of getting outside the fence, I for one wouldn't judge you for taking drastic action like an electric fence.

Another option could be a sensor alarm? Either rigging an alarm to detect motion in a ceratin area, so you know if he is getting out, or is out. Or a sensor thing on a necklace, anklet or wristband which will tell you if he goes near or outside of a certain area.