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Home , Ferret, Fox, Swift fox

Robert L. Phillips Wildlife Research Biologist Denver Wildlife Research Center USDA-APHIS-ADC Denver, 80225-0266

Robert H. Schmidt Assistant Professor Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Utah State University Logan, Utah 84322-5210

Fig. 1. Red , vulpes (left) and , cinereoargenteus (right).

Damage Prevention and Frightening Trapping Control Methods Flashing lights and exploders may Steel leghold traps. provide temporary protection. Exclusion Cage or box traps. Well-trained guarding Snares. Net wire fence. may be effective in some situations. Shooting Electric fence. Repellents Cultural Methods Predator calling techniques. None are registered for livestock Protect livestock and poultry during protection. Aerial . most vulnerable periods (for Toxicants Other Methods example, shed lambing, farrowing pigs in protective enclosures). M-44® sodium cyanide mechanical Den hunting. Remove young foxes ejection device, in states where from dens to reduce predation by registered. adults. Fumigants Gas cartridges for den fumigation, where registered.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF WILDLIFE DAMAGE — 1994 Cooperative Extension Division Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources University of - Lincoln United States Department of Agriculture and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Damage Control C-83 Agricultural Council Wildlife Committee Identification Gray foxes are found throughout the eastern, north central, and south- The (Vulpes vulpes) is the most western United States They are found common of the foxes native to North throughout Mexico and most of the America. Most depredation problems southwestern United States from are associated with red foxes, although California northward through western in some areas gray foxes (Urocyon Oregon (Fig. 3). cinereoargenteus) can cause problems. Few damage complaints have been Kit foxes are residents of arid . associated with the (V. velox), They are found from extreme southern (V. macrotis), or Oregon and Idaho south along the Baja (Alopex lagopus). Peninsula and eastward through southwestern and northern The red fox is -like in appearance, Mexico (Fig. 4). with an elongated pointed muzzle and Fig. 2. Range of the red fox in . large pointed ears that are usually The present range of swift foxes is erect and forward. It has moderately restricted to the central high plains. long legs and long, thick, soft body They are found in , the Okla- with a heavily furred, bushy (Fig. homa panhandle, , Texas, 1). Typically, red foxes are colored Nebraska, , , with a light orange-red coat, black legs, and Colorado (Fig. 4). lighter-colored underfur and a white- As its name indicates, the Arctic fox tipped tail. Silver and cross foxes are occurs in the arctic regions of North color phases of the red fox. In North America and was introduced on a America the red fox weighs about 7.7 number of islands in the Aleutian to 15.4 pounds (3.5 to 7.0 kg), with chain. males on average 2.2 pounds (1 kg) heavier than females. Gray foxes weigh 7 to 13 pounds (3.2 The red fox is adaptable to most to 5.9 kg) and measure 32 to 45 inches habitats within its range, but usually (81 to 114 cm) from the nose to the tip prefers open country with moderate of the tail (Fig. 1). The color pattern is cover. Some of the highest fox densi- generally salt-and-pepper gray with ties reported are in the north-central Fig. 3. Range of the gray fox in North America. buffy underfur. The sides of the neck, United States, where woodlands are back of the ears, legs, and feet are interspersed with farmlands. The rusty yellow. The tail is long and range of the red fox has expanded in bushy with a black tip. recent years to fill habitats formerly occupied by ( latrans). Other of foxes present in North The reduction of numbers in America are the Arctic fox, swift fox, many sagebrush/ areas of and kit fox. These are not usu- and Wyoming has resulted ally associated with livestock and in increased fox numbers. Red foxes poultry depredation because they typi- have also demonstrated their adapt- cally eat small and lead a ability by establishing breeding popu- secretive life in remote habitats away lations in many urban areas of the from people, although they may cause United States, , and Europe. site-specific damage problems. Gray foxes prefer more dense cover Range such as thickets, riparian areas, swamp land, or rocky pinyon-cedar ridges. In Red foxes occur over most of North eastern North America, this species is America, north and east from southern closely associated with edges of California, Arizona, and central Texas. deciduous forests. Gray foxes can also They are found throughout most of the be found in urban areas where suitable United States with the exception of a habitat exists. Fig 4. Range of the swift fox (dark) and the kit few isolated areas (Fig. 2). fox (light) in North America..

C-84 Food Habits in the arctic zones. Red foxes generally Legal Status produce 4 to 9 pups. Gray foxes usu- Foxes are opportunists, feeding mostly ally have 3 to 7 pups per litter. Arctic Foxes in the United States are listed as on , mice, , , and foxes may have from 1 to 14 pups, but furbearers or given some status as native fruits. Foxes usually kill animals usually have 5 or 6. Foxes disperse animals by most state govern- smaller than a , although fawns, from denning areas during the fall ments. Most states allow for the taking pigs, kids, lambs, and poultry are months and establish breeding areas in of foxes to protect private property. sometimes taken. The fox’s keen hear- vacant territories, sometimes dispers- Check with your state wildlife agency ing, vision, and sense of smell aid in ing considerable distances. for regulations before undertaking fox detecting prey. Foxes stalk even the control measures. smallest mice with skill and patience. Damage and Damage The stalk usually ends with a sudden Identification Damage Prevention and pounce onto the prey. Red foxes some- Control Methods times kill more than they can eat and Foxes may cause serious problems for bury food in caches for later use. All poultry producers. Turkeys raised in Exclusion foxes feed on carrion (animal car- large range pens are subject to damage Construct net wire fences with open- casses) at times. by foxes. Losses may be heavy in small ings of 3 inches (8 cm) or less to ex- farm flocks of chickens, , and clude red foxes. Bury the bottom of the General Biology, geese. Young pigs, lambs, and small fence 1 to 2 feet (0.3 m to 0.9 m) with Reproduction, and are also killed by foxes. Damage an apron of net wire extending at least Behavior can be difficult to detect because the 12 inches (30 cm) outward from the prey is usually carried from the kill site bottom. A top or roof of net wire may Foxes are crepuscular animals, being to a den site, or uneaten parts are also be necessary to exclude all foxes, most active during the early hours of buried. Foxes usually attack the throat since some will readily climb a fence. darkness and very early morning of young livestock, but some kill by in- A 3-wire electric fence with wires hours. They do move about during the flicting multiple bites to the neck and spaced 6 inches, 12 inches, and 18 day, however, especially when it is back. Foxes do not have the size or inches (15 cm, 31 cm, and 46 cm) dark and overcast. strength to hold adult livestock or to crush the skull and large bones of their above the ground can repel red foxes. Foxes are solitary animals except from prey. They generally prefer the viscera Combination fences that incorporate the winter breeding season through and often begin feeding through an net and electric wires are also effective. midsummer, when mates and their entry behind the ribs. Foxes will also Cultural Methods young associate closely. Foxes have a scavenge carcasses, making the actual wide variety of calls. They may , cause of death difficult to determine. The protection of livestock and poultry scream, howl, yap, growl, or make from fox depredation is most impor- sounds similar to a hiccup. During Pheasants, waterfowl, other game tant during the spring denning period winter a male will often give a yelling , and small game are when adults are actively acquiring bark, “wo-wo-wo,” that seems to be also preyed upon by foxes. At times, prey for their young. Watch for signs important in warning other male foxes fox predation may be a significant of depredation during the spring, es- not to intrude on its . Red mortality factor for upland and wet- pecially if there is a history of fox dep- foxes may dig their own dens or use land birds, including some endan- redation. Foxes, like other wild canids, abandoned burrows of a woodchuck gered species. will often return to established den- or . The same dens may be used outbreaks are most prevalent ning areas year after year. Foxes fre- for several generations. Gray foxes among red foxes in southeastern quently den in close proximity to commonly use wood piles, rocky out- Canada and occasionally in the eastern human habitation. Dens may be lo- crops, hollow trees, or brush piles as United States. The incidence of rabies cated close to farm buildings, under den sites. Foxes use their urine and in foxes has declined substantially haystacks or patches of cover, or even feces to mark their territories. since the mid-1960s for unexplained inside hog lots or small pastures used Mating in red foxes normally occurs reasons. In 1990, there were only 197 for lambing. Because of the elusive from mid-January to early February. reported cases of fox rabies in the habits of foxes, dens in these locations At higher latitudes (in the Arctic) mat- United States as compared to 1,821 for may not be noticed until excessive ing occurs from late February to early and 1,579 for . Rabid depredations have occurred. March. Estrus in the vixen lasts 1 to 6 foxes are a threat to humans, domestic The practice of shed lambing and far- days, followed by a 51- to 53-day ges- animals, and wildlife. rowing in protected enclosures can be tation period. Fox pups can be born useful in preventing fox depredation from March in southern areas to May on young livestock. Also, removal of

C-85 livestock carcasses from production Trapping cessful, and can minimize the risk of areas can make these areas less attrac- nontarget capture. One of the best is Trapping is a very effective and selec- tive to predators. the dirt-hole set (Fig. 6). Dig a hole tive control method. A great deal of about 6 inches (15 cm) deep and 3 Frightening expertise is required to effectively trap inches (8 cm) in diameter at a down- foxes. Trapping by inexperienced Foxes readily adapt to noise-making ward angle just behind the spot where people may serve to educate foxes, devices such as propane exploders, the trap is to be placed. Four to five making them very difficult to catch, timed tape recordings, amplifiers, or drops of scent should be placed in the even by experienced trappers. Traps radios, but such devices may tempo- back of the hole. Move back from the suitable for foxes are the Nos. 1 1/2, 1 rarily reduce activity in an area. bait hole and dig a hole 2 inches (5 cm) 3/4, and 2 double coilspring trap and deep that is large enough to accom- Flashing lights, such as a rotating bea- the Nos. 2 and 3 double longspring modate the trap and chain. Fasten the con or strobe light, may also provide trap. Traps with offset and padded trap chain to a trap stake with a chain temporary protection in relatively jaws cause less injury to confined ani- swivel and drive the stake directly small areas or in livestock or poultry mals and facilitate the release of nontar- under the place where the trap is set. enclosures. Combinations of frighten- get captures. State and provincial wild- Fold and place the chain under or ing devices used at irregular intervals life agencies regulate the traps and sets beside the trap. Set the trap about 1/2 should provide better protection than that can be used for trapping. Consult inch (1.3 cm) below the ground. Adjust use of a single device because animals your local agency personnel for the tension device on the trap to elimi- may have more difficulty in adapting restrictions that pertain to your area. to these disturbances. nate the capture of lighter animals. Proper set location is important when When the set is completed, the pan of When properly trained, some breeds trapping foxes. Sets made along trails, the trap should be approximately 5 of dog, such as Great Pyrenees and at entrances to fields, and near inches (13 cm) from the entrance of the Akbash dogs, have been useful in pre- carcasses are often most productive hole with the pan slightly offset from venting predation on sheep. The effec- (Fig. 5). Many different sets are suc- the center of the hole (Fig. 6). Cover 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- Fenceline ical ejection device, is registered for Gateway 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 Saddle cyanide is available from the appropri- Haystack 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 Trail Gas cartridges made by USDA- APHIS-ADC are registered for fumi- gating the dens of coyotes, pocket Dike gophers, ground squirrels, and other burrowing rodents. Special Local Pond Needs permits 24(c) are available in North and South Dakota and Carcass pile Nebraska for gas cartridge fumigation of fox dens. State and local regulations should be consulted before using den fumigants. Fig. 5. Good locations for setting leghold traps for foxes.

C-86 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 Fig. 6. A dirt-hole set showing proper trap placement. 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 contaminating materials. Cleanliness of equipment 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 captured using this method. Snares made from 1/16-inch, 5/64- Fig. 7. Properly set neck snare for foxes. 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

C-87 and from den sites and to carcasses during the early and late hours of the For Additional being fed on by foxes make excellent day when adult foxes are moving Information locations for snares. about in search of food. Preferred den- Burt, W. H., and R. P. Grossenheider. 1976. A Shooting ning sites are usually on a low rise facing a southerly direction. When fox field guide to mammals, 3d ed. Houghton Harvest of foxes by sport hunters and pups are several weeks old, they will Mifflin Co., Boston. 289 pp. fur trappers is another method of re- spend time outside the den in the early Foreyt, W. J. 1980. A live trap for multiple ducing fox populations in areas where morning and evening hours. They capture of coyote pups from dens. J. Wildl. Manage. 44:487-88. damage is occurring. Livestock and leave abundant signs of their presence, poultry producers who have predation such as matted vegetation and rem- Fritzell, E. K., and K. J. Haroldson. 1982. Urocyon problems during the late fall and win- nants of food, including bits of bone, cinereoargenteus. . Sp. 189:1-8. ter can sometimes find private fur feathers, and hair. Frequently used Dolbeer, R. A., N. R. Holler, and D. W. trappers willing to hunt or trap foxes den sites have a distinctive odor. Hawthorne. 1994. Identification and control around loss sites. Depredations are of wildlife damage. Pages 474-506 in T. A. Bookhout ed. Research and management usually most severe, however, during Fox pups may be removed by trapping or by fumigating the den with gas car- techniques for wildlife and habitats. The the spring when are not saleable, Wildl. Soc., Bethesda, Maryland. and it is difficult to interest private tridges if they are registered for your area. In some situations it may be Krause, T. 1982. NTA trapping handbook — a trappers at that time. guide for better trapping. Spearman Publ. desirable to remove the pups without and Printing Co., Sutton, Nebraska. 206 pp. Artificial rabbit distress calls can be killing them. The mechanical wire fer- used to decoy foxes to within rifle or Samuel, D. E., and B. B. Nelson. 1982. Foxes. ret has proved to be effective in chas- Pages 475-90 in J. A. Chapman and G. A shotgun range. Select a spot that faces ing the pups from the den without Feldhamer eds., Wild mammals of North into the wind, at the edge of a clearing harming them. This device consists of America: biology, management, and or under a bush on a slight rise where a long piece of smooth spring steel economics. The Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, visibility is good. Blow the call at 1/2- wire with a spring and wooden plug at Baltimore, Maryland. to 1-minute intervals, with each call one end and a handle at the other. This Schwartz, C. W., and E. R. Schwartz. 1981. The lasting 5 to 10 seconds. If a fox ap- wire is twisted through the den pas- wild mammals of Missouri, rev. ed. Univ. Missouri Press, Columbia. 356 pp. pears, remain motionless and do not sageways, chasing foxes out of other move the rifle or shotgun until ready den openings where they can be cap- Storm, G. L., R. D. Andrews, R. L. Phillips, R. A. to shoot. If a fox does not appear in Bishop, D. B. Siniff, and J. R. Tester. 1976. tured by hand or with dip nets. Small Morphology, reproduction, dispersal and about 20 minutes, move to a new spot dogs are sometimes trained to retrieve mortality of midwestern red fox and call again. pups unharmed from dens. Wire-cage populations. Wildl. Mono. No. 49. The Wildl. Soc., Inc., Washington, DC. 82 pp. Aerial hunting can be used in some box traps placed in the entrance of the western states to remove problem den can also be useful for capturing Storm, G. L., and K. P. Dauphin. 1965. A wire young foxes. for use in studies of foxes and skunks. foxes. This activity is closely regulated J. Wildl. Manage. 29:625-26. and is usually limited to USDA- APHIS-ADC personnel or individuals Acknowledgments Voigt, D. R. 1987. Red fox. Pages 379-93 in M. Novak, J. A. Baker, M. E. Obbard, and with special permits from the state We thank Norman C. Johnson, whose chapter B. Malloch eds., Wildlife Furbearer regulatory agency. “Foxes” in the 1983 edition of this manual Management and Conservation in North provided much of the information used in this America. Ontario Ministry of Nat. Resour. Den Hunting section. F. Sherman Blom, Ronald A. Thompson, Fox depredations often increase dur- and Judy Loven (USDA-APHIS-ADC) provided useful comments. ing the spring whelping season. Damage may be reduced or even Figure 1 from Schwartz and Schwartz (1981) Editors adapted by Jill Sack Johnson. eliminated by locating and removing Scott E. Hygnstrom Figures 2, 3, and 4 courtesy of Pam Tinnin. Robert M. Timm the young foxes from the den. Locate Gary E. Larson fox dens by observing signs of fox Figure 5 courtesy of Bob Noonan. activity and by careful observation Figures 6 and 7 courtesy of Tom Krause.

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