Chewing Fences

Question
My beagle (Lucky) is 8 months old.
How do I get him to stop chewing apart those
wooden "accordian" style gates?
We keep him confined to the kitchen area when we're not home and during the night;
When we get home or wake up, I usually find splinters on the floor and a piece missing off the fence.  I'm going thorough a small fortune, and plus I'm concerned that he could get sick or hurt if he swallows a piece.  People say I should be glad he didn't destroy my kitchen cabinets; I find no comfort in that reasoning at all!  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Also, he seems to wake the entire house at @ 5:15am.  Every day.  It's my guess that if we're not getting to him quick enough, that's when he starts to chew the fence to get out.  I've sprayed bitter apple on the fence; however when this dries up, he just goes right back to chweing it again.  And yes, he has plenty of chew toys, rawhide, etc. to keep him busy.

Answer
I would recommend looking for a plastic or resin gate. Also, at 8 months he is most likely teething. I find that a teething beagle loves to chew up wood (stick or your fence). You may try getting him a teething ring.
Is he awake when you go to bed? If he is then wake him up and take him outside. It would be great if you could take him on an night walk before you go to bed. This may give you a little more time before he gets up in the am.
Also, I would rotate his toys. Give him different toys each night. Put the other toys away (unless he has a favorite toy. I have a beagle that has sleep with the same stuffed animal for 7 years. He even takes it outside with him and brings him in.)
Fellow beagle lover,

Kenny