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FOXES

Robert L. Phillips

Wildlife Research Biologist

Denver Wildlife Research Center

USDA-APHIS-ADC

Denver, Colorado 80225-0266

Robert H. Schmidt

Assistant Professor

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Utah State University

Logan, Utah 84322-5210

Fig. 1. Red fox, Vulpes vulpes (left) and gray fox,

Urocyon ci nereoargenteus (right).

Damage Prevention and

Control Methods

Exclusion

Net wire fence.

Electric fence.

Cultural Methods

Protect livestock and poultry during

most vulnerable periods (for

example, shed lambing, farrowing

pigs in protective enclosures).

Frightening

Flashing lights and exploders may

provide temporary protection.

Well-trained livestock guarding dogs

may be effective in some situations.

Repellents

None are registered for livestock

protection.

Toxicants

M-44® sodium cyanide mechanical

ejection device, in states where

registered.

Fumigants

Gas cartridges for den fumigation,

where registered.

Trapping

Steel leghold traps.

Cage or box trap s.

Snares.

Shooting

Predator calling techniques.

Aerial hunting.

Other Methods

Den hunting. Remove young foxes

from dens to reduce predation by

adults.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE — 1994

Coop erat ive Extension Division

Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources

University of Nebraska - Lincoln

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Animal Damage Control

Great Plains Agricultural Council

Wildlife Committee

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Identification

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the most

common of the foxes native to North

America. Most depredation problems

are associated with red foxes, although

in some areas gray foxes (Urocyon

cinereoargenteus) can cause problems.

Few damage complaints have been

associated with the swift fox (V. velox),

kit fox (V. macrotis), or Arctic fox

(Alopex lagopus).

The red fox is dog-like in appearance,

with an elongated pointed muzzle and

large pointed ears that are usually

erect and forward. It has moderately

long legs and long, thick, soft body fur

with a heavily furred, bushy tail (Fig.

1). Typically, red foxes are colored

with a light orange-red coat, black legs,

lighter-colored underfur and a white-

tipped tail. Silver and cross foxes are

color phases of the red fox. In North

America the red fox weighs about 7.7

to 15.4 pounds (3.5 to 7.0 kg), with

males on average 2.2 pounds (1 kg)

heavier than females.

Gray foxes weigh 7 to 13 pounds (3.2

to 5.9 kg) and measure 32 to 45 inches

(81 to 114 cm) from the nose to the tip

of the tail (Fig. 1). The color pattern is

generally salt-and-pepper gray with

buffy underfur. The sides of the neck,

back of the ears, legs, and feet are

rusty yellow. The tail is long and

bushy with a black tip.

Other species of foxes present in North

America are the Arctic fox, swift fox,

and kit fox. These animals are not usu-

ally associated with livestock and

poultry depredation because they typi-

cally eat small rodents and lead a

secretive life in remote habitats away

from people, although they may cause

site-specific damage problems.

Range

Red foxes occur over most of North

America, north and east from southern

California, Arizona, and central Texas.

They are found throughout most of the

United States with the exception of a

few isolated areas (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. Range of the red fox in North America.

Fig 4. Range of the swift fox (dark) and the kit

fox (light) in North America..

Fig. 3. Range of the gray fox in North America.

Gray foxes are found throughout the

eastern, north central, and south-

western United States They are found

throughout Mexico and most of the

southwestern United States from

California northward through western

Oregon (Fig. 3).

Kit foxes are residents of arid habitats.

They are found from extreme southern

Oregon and Idaho south along the Baja

Peninsula and eastward through

southwestern Texas and northern

Mexico (Fig. 4).

The present range of swift foxes is

restricted to the central high plains.

They are found in Kansas, the Okla-

homa panhandle, New Mexico, Texas,

Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming,

and Colorado (Fig. 4).

As its name indicates, the Arctic fox

occurs in the arctic regions of North

America and was introduced on a

number of islands in the Aleutian

chain.

Habitat

The red fox is adaptable to most

habitats within its range, but usually

prefers open country with moderate

cover. Some of the highest fox densi-

ties reported are in the north-central

United States, where woodlands are

interspersed with farmlands. The

range of the red fox has expanded in

recent years to fill habitats form erly

occupied by coyotes (Canis latrans).

The reduction of coyote numbers in

many sagebrush/grassland areas of

Montana and Wyoming has resulted

in increased fox numbers. Red foxes

have also demonstrated their adapt-

ability by establishing breeding popu-

lations in many urban areas of the

United States, Canada, and Europe.

Gray foxes prefer more dense cover

such as thickets, riparian areas, swamp

land, or rocky pinyon-cedar ridges. In

eastern North America, this species is

closely associated with edges of

deciduous forests. Gray foxes can also

be found in urban areas where suitable

habitat exists.

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Food Habits

Foxes are opportunists, feeding mostly

on rabbits, mice, bird eggs, insects, and

native fruits. Foxes usually kill animals

smaller than a rabbit, although fawns,

pigs, kids, lambs, and poultry are

sometimes taken. The fox’s keen hear-

ing, vision, and sense of smell aid in

detecting prey. Foxes stalk even the

smallest mice with skill and patience.

The stalk usually ends with a sudden

pounce onto the prey. Red foxes some-

times kill more than they can eat and

bury food in caches for later use. All

foxes feed on carrion (animal car-

casses) at times.

General Biology,

Reproduction, and

Behavior

Foxes are crepuscular animals, being

most active during the early hours of

darkness and very early morning

hours. They do move about during the

day, however, especially when it is

dark and overcast.

Foxes are solitary animals except from

the winter breeding season through

midsummer, when mates and their

young associate closely. Foxes have a

wide variety of calls. They may bark,

scream, howl, yap, growl, or make

sounds similar to a hiccup. During

winter a male will often give a yelling

bark, “wo-wo-wo,” that seems to be

important in warning other male foxes

not to intrude on its territory. Red

foxes may dig their own dens or use

abandoned burrows of a woodchuck

or badger. The same dens may be used

for several generations. Gray foxes

commonly use wood p iles, rocky out-

crops, hollow trees, or brush piles as

den sites. Foxes use their urine and

feces to mark their territories.

Mating in red foxes normally occurs

from mid-January to early February.

At higher latitudes (in the Arctic) mat-

ing occurs from late February to early

March. Estrus in the vixen lasts 1 to 6

days, followed by a 51- to 53-day ges-

tation period. Fox pups can be born

from March in southern areas to May

in the arctic zones. Red foxes generally

produce 4 to 9 pups. Gray foxes usu-

ally have 3 to 7 pups per litter. Arctic

foxes may have from 1 to 14 pups, but

usually have 5 or 6. Foxes disperse

from denning areas during the fall

months and establish breeding areas in

vacant territories, sometimes dispers-

ing considerable distances.

Damage and Damage

Identification

Foxes may cause serious p roblems for

poultry producers. Turkeys raised in

large range pens are subject to damage

by foxes. Losses may be heavy in small

farm flocks of chickens, ducks, and

geese. Young pigs, lambs, and small

pets are also killed by foxes. Damage

can be difficult to detect because the

prey is usually carried from the kill site

to a den site, or uneaten parts are

buried. Foxes usually attack the throat

of young livestock, but some kill by in-

flicting multiple bites to the neck and

back. Foxes do not have the size or

strength to hold adult livestock or to

crush the skull and large bones of their

prey. They generally prefer the viscera

and often begin feeding through an

entry behind the ribs. Foxes will also

scavenge carcasses, making the actual

cause of death difficult to determine.

Pheasants, waterfowl, other game

birds, and small game mammals are

also preyed upon by foxes. At times,

fox predation may be a significant

mortality factor for upland and wet-

land birds, including some endan-

gered species.

Rabies outbreaks are most prevalent

among red foxes in southeastern

Canada and occasionally in the eastern

United States. The incidence of rabies

in foxes has declined substantially

since the mid-1960s for unexplained

reasons. In 1990, there were only 197

reported cases of fox rabies in the

United States as compared to 1,821 for

raccoons and 1,579 for skunks. Rabid

foxes are a threat to humans, domestic

animals, and wildlife.

Legal Status

Foxes in the United States are listed as

furbearers or given some status as

game animals by most state govern-

ments. Most states allow for the taking

of foxes to protect p rivate property.

Check with your state wildlife agency

for regulations before undertaking fox

control measures.

Damage Prevention and

Control Methods

Exclusion

Construct net wire fences with open-

ings of 3 inches (8 cm) or less to ex-

clude red foxes. Bury the bottom of the

fence 1 to 2 feet (0.3 m to 0.9 m) with

an apron of net wire extending at least

12 inches (30 cm) outward from the

bottom. A top or roof of net wire may

also be necessary to exclude all foxes,

since some will readily climb a fence.

A 3-wire electric fence with wires

spaced 6 inches, 12 inches, and 18

inches (15 cm, 31 cm, and 46 cm)

above the ground can repel red foxes.

Combination fences that incorporate

net and electric wires are also effective.

Cultural Methods

The protection of livestock and poultry

from fox depredation is most impor-

tant during the spring denning period

when adults are actively acquiring

prey for their young. Watch for signs

of depredation during the spring, es-

pecially if there is a history of fox dep-

redation. Foxes, like other wild canids,

will often return to established den-

ning areas year after year. Foxes fre-

quently den in close proximity to

human habitation. Dens may be lo-

cated close to farm buildings, under

haystacks or patches of cover, or even

inside hog lots or small pastures used

for lambing. Because of the elusive

habits of foxes, dens in these locations

may not be noticed until excessive

depredations have occurred.

The practice of shed lambing and far-

rowing in p rotected enclosures can be

useful in preventing fox depredation

on young livestock. Also, removal of

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livestock carcasses from p roduction

areas can make these areas less attrac-

tive to predators.

Frightening

Foxes readily adapt to noise-making

devices such as propane exploders,

timed tape recordings, amplifiers, or

radios, but such devices may tempo-

rarily reduce activity in an area.

Flashing lights, such as a rotating bea-

con or strobe light, may also provide

temporary protection in relatively

small areas or in livestock or poultry

enclosures. Combinations of frighten-

ing devices used at irregular intervals

should provide better protection than

use of a single device because animals

may have more difficulty in adapting

to these disturbances.

When properly trained, some breeds

of dog, such as Great Pyrenees and

Akbash dogs, have been useful in pre-

venting predation on sheep. The effec-

tiveness of dogs, even the “guard dog”

breeds, seems to depend entirely on

training and the individual disposition

of the dog.

Toxicants

The M-44®, a sodium cyanide mechan-

ical ejection device, is registered for

control of red and gray foxes nation-

wide by USDA-APHIS-ADC person-

nel, and in some states by certified

pesticide applicators. Information on

the safe, effective use of sodium

cyanide is available from the appropri-

ate state agency charged with the reg-

istration of pesticides. M-44s are

generally set along trails and at cross-

ings regularly used by foxes.

Fumigants

Gas cartridges made by USDA-

APHIS-ADC are registered for fumi-

gating the dens of coyotes, pocket

gophers, ground squirrels, and other

burrowing rodents. Special Local

Needs permits 24(c) are available in

North and S outh Dakota and

Nebraska for gas cartridge fumigation

of fox dens. State and local regulations

should be consulted before using den

fumigants.

Trapping

Trapping is a very effective and selec-

tive control method. A great deal of

expertise is required to effectively trap

foxes. Trapping by inexperienced

people may serve to educate foxes,

making them very diffic ult to catch,

even by experienced trappers. Traps

suitable for foxes are the Nos. 1 1/2, 1

3/4, and 2 double coilspring trap and

the Nos. 2 and 3 double longspring

trap. Traps with offset and padded

jaws cause less injury to confined ani-

mals and facilitate the release of nontar-

get captures. State and provincial wild-

life agencies regulate the traps and sets

that can be used for trapping. Consult

your local agency personnel for

restrictions that pertain to your area.

Proper set location is important when

trapping foxes. Sets made along trails,

at entrances to fields, and near

carcasses are often most productive

(Fig. 5). Many different sets are suc-

cessful, and can minimize the risk of

nontarget capture. One of the best is

the dirt-hole set (Fig. 6). Dig a hole

about 6 inches (15 cm) deep and 3

inches (8 cm) in diameter at a down-

ward angle just behind the spot where

the trap is to be placed. Four to five

drops of scent should be placed in the

back of the hole. Move back from the

bait hole and dig a hole 2 inches (5 cm)

deep that is large enough to accom-

modate the trap and chain. Fasten the

trap chain to a trap stake with a chain

swivel and drive the stake directly

under the place where the trap is set.

Fold and place the chain under or

beside the trap. Set the trap about 1/2

inch (1.3 cm) below the ground. Adjust

the tension device on the trap to elimi-

nate the capture of lighter animals.

When the set is completed, the pan of

the trap should be ap proximately 5

inches (13 cm) from the entrance of the

hole with the pan slightly offset from

the center of the hole (Fig. 6). Cover

Fig. 5. Good locations for setting leghold traps for foxes.

Fenceline

Gateway

Trail

Haystack

Saddle

Pond

Dike

Carcass pile

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Fig. 6. A dirt-hole set showing proper trap placement.

the area between the jaws and over the

trap pan with a piece of waxed paper,

light canvas, or light screen wire. The

trap must be firmly placed so that it

does not move or wobble. The entire

trap should be covered lightly with

sifted soil up to the original ground

level.

Fox scents and lures can be home-

made, but this requires some knowl-

edge of scent making as described in

various trapping books. Commercial

trap scents can be purchased from

most trapping suppliers (see Supplies

and Materials). Experiment with vari-

ous baits and scents to discover the

combination of odors that will be most

appropriate for your area.

Equipment needed for trapping foxes

includes traps, a sifter with a 3/16- or

1/2-inch screen (0.5 or 1.3 cm), trap

stakes, trowel, gloves (which should

be used only for trapping), a 16- to 20-

ounce (448- to 560-g) carpenter’s ham-

mer with straight claws, and a bottle of

scent. Remove the factory oil finish on

the traps by boiling the traps in water

and vinegar or by burying the traps in

moist soil for one to two weeks until

lightly rusted. The traps should then

be dyed with commercially available

trap dye to prevent further corrosion.

Do not allow the traps and other trap-

ping equipment to come in contact

with gasoline, oil, or other strong-

smelling and c ontaminating materials.

Cleanliness of equip ment is absolutely

necessary for consistent trapping

success.

Cage traps are sometimes effective for

capturing juvenile red foxes living in

urban areas. It is uncommon to trap an

adult red fox in a cage or a box trap;

however, kit and swift foxes can be

readily cap tured using this method.

Snares made from 1/16-inch, 5/64-

inch, and 3/32-inch (0.15 cm, 0.2 cm,

and 0.25 cm) cable can be very effec-

tive for capturing both red and gray

foxes. Snares are generally set in trails

or in crawl holes (under fences) that

are frequented by foxes. The standard

loop size for foxes is about 6 inches (15

cm) with the bottom of the loop about

10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) above

ground level (Fig. 7). Trails leading to

Fig. 7. Properly set neck snare fo r foxes.

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For Additional

Information

Burt, W. H., and R. P. Grossenheider. 1976. A

field guide to mammals, 3d ed. Houghton

Mifflin Co., Boston. 289 pp.

Foreyt, W. J. 1980. A live trap for multiple

capture of coyote pups from dens. J. Wildl.

Manage. 44:487-88.

Fritzell, E. K., and K. J. Haroldson. 1982. Urocyon

ci nereoargenteus. Mammal. Sp. 189:1-8.

Dolbeer, R. A., N. R. Holler, and D. W.

Hawthorne. 1994. Identification and control

of wildlife damage. Pages 474-506 in T. A.

Bookho ut ed. Research and management

techniques for wildlife and habitats. The

Wildl. Soc., Bethesda, Maryland.

Krause, T. 1982. NTA trapping handbook — a

guide for better trapping. Spearman Publ.

and Printing Co ., Sutton, Nebraska. 206 pp.

Samuel, D. E., and B. B. Nelso n. 1982. Fo xes.

Pages 475-90 in J. A. Chapman and G. A

Feldhamer eds., Wild mammals of North

America: biolo gy, management, and

economics. The Johns Hopkins Univ. Press,

Baltimore, Maryland.

Schwartz, C. W., and E. R. Schwartz. 1981. The

wild mammals of Missouri, rev. ed. Univ.

Missouri Press, Columbia. 356 pp.

Storm, G. L., R. D. Andrews, R. L. Phillips, R. A.

Bishop, D. B. Siniff, and J. R. Tester. 1976.

Morphology, reproduction, dispersal and

mortality of midwestern red fox

populations. Wildl. Mono. No. 49. The Wildl.

Soc., Inc., Washington, DC. 82 pp.

Storm, G. L., and K. P. Dauphin. 1965. A wire

ferret for use in studies of foxes and skunks.

J. Wildl. Manage. 29:625-26.

Voigt, D. R. 1987. Red fox. Pages 379-93 in

M. Novak, J. A. Baker, M. E. Obbard, and

B. Malloch eds., Wildlife Furbearer

Management and Conservation in North

America. Ontario Ministry of Nat. Resour.

Editors

Scott E. Hygnstrom

Robert M. Timm

Gary E. Larson

and from den sites and to carcasses

being fed on by foxes make excellent

locations for snares.

Shooting

Harvest of foxes by sport hunters and

fur trappers is another method of re-

ducing fox populations in areas where

damage is occurring. Livestock and

poultry p roducers who have predation

problems during the late fall and win-

ter can sometimes find private fur

trappers willing to hunt or trap foxes

around loss sites. Depredations are

usually most severe, however, during

the spring when furs are not saleable,

and it is difficult to interest private

trappers at that time.

Artificial rabbit distress calls can be

used to decoy foxes to within rifle or

shotgun range. Select a spot that faces

into the wind, at the edge of a clearing

or under a bush on a slight rise where

visibility is good. Blow the call at 1/2-

to 1-minute intervals, with each call

lasting 5 to 10 seconds. If a fox ap-

pears, remain motionless and do not

move the rifle or shotgun until ready

to shoot. If a fox does not appear in

about 20 minutes, move to a new spot

and call again.

Aerial hunting can be used in some

western states to remove problem

foxes. This activity is closely regulated

and is usually limited to USDA-

APHIS-ADC personnel or individuals

with special p ermits from the state

regulatory agency.

Den Hunting

Fox depredations often increase dur-

ing the spring whelping season.

Damage may be reduced or even

eliminated by locating and removing

the young foxes from the den. Locate

fox dens by observing signs of fox

activity and by careful observation

during the early and late hours of the

day when adult foxes are moving

about in search of food. Preferred den-

ning sites are usually on a low rise

facing a southerly direction. When fox

pups are several weeks old, they will

spend time outside the den in the early

morning and evening hours. They

leave abundant signs of their presence,

such as matted vegetation and rem-

nants of food, including bits of bone,

feathers, and hair. Frequently used

den sites have a distinctive odor.

Fox pups may be removed by trapping

or by fumigating the den with gas car-

tridges if they are registered for your

area. In some situations it may be

desirable to remove the pups without

killing them. The mechanical wire fer-

ret has proved to be effective in chas-

ing the pups from the den without

harming them. This device consists of

a long piece of smooth spring steel

wire with a sp ring and wooden plug at

one end and a handle at the other. This

wire is twisted through the den pas-

sageways, chasing foxes out of other

den openings where they can be cap-

tured by hand or with dip nets. Small

dogs are sometimes trained to retrieve

pups unharmed from dens. Wire-cage

box traps placed in the entrance of the

den can also be useful for capturing

young foxes.

Acknowledgments

We thank Norman C. Johnson, whose chapter

“Foxes” in the 1983 edition of this manual

provided much of the information used in this

section. F. Sherman Blom, Ronald A. Thompso n,

and Judy Loven (USDA-APHIS-ADC) provided

useful comments.

Figure 1 from Schwartz and Schwartz (1981)

adapted by Jill Sack Jo hnson.

Figures 2, 3, and 4 courtesy of Pam Tinnin.

Figure 5 courtesy of Bob Noonan.

Figures 6 and 7 courtesy of Tom Krause.