The Iron Sledge is a great weapon for dealing with a lot of "issues" but having access to it is not a given. I had one save where I was well and truly into the plains and still hadn't managed to get an elite Draugur trophy.

You still have to kite the buggers away from your tames otherwise bashing away with the sledge or stagbreaker will destroy your fences/walls and as stated above if you miss one or two say goodbye to your tames.