Alright guys I need some help This is my s cond season trapping and last year I very quickly learned that there is a lot more to trapping than I thought but I enjoy it and decided to do it again and have had decent success. My problem started last year with a fox. I know there is one hanging around because he made quick work of some rabbits and chickens I had . I tried to get him last y ar and was unsuccessful. I think mostly due to some rookie mistakes I made but learned from, I found 2 of my traps dig up last year and assumed it was him.This year I had a set out that caught 2 coyotes 2 possums and one raccoon while using those under all’s under the pan- I came up to check that set one morning and found the under all pulled out from under the pan and chewed up and spit out -I thought here we go again with the same fox. So I went up the hill and found a flat spot with tall grass where I found some fox scat and set another one-This time using a coffee filter as a pan cover 2 days later I found the same thing coffee filter pulled out and chewed up-I remade the set this time using some leaves as pan covers came back 2 days later and found my trap set off with nothing in it. Since I was targeting a fox I used an offset jaw trap- upon close inspection I found what I think was fox fur in the trap but a frozen cold of dirt held it open farther than it should have allowing him to escape. The property I am at the neighbors prefer I don’t use conis or snares . So footholds are my only option I can’t express how relieving it would be to finally catch my nemesis who has tainted me for two years so what are my options? I don’t think I There is any point in trying another foot hold I don’t think he will go for it . I will admit he is trap smart and I have myself to blame . Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated .

No Pro here by any means but I would try different sets.. like a flashy trench set or maybe something like a walk through flat set change it up on him.. a different bait and lure too..

Sounds like the same problem is occurring over and over .
Your giving the fox to much credit, if it is the same fox or not .

Fox my not be as smart as your assuming. Keep after it and you'll get it.

Agree. Took 5 fox off a 40 acre bean field this season and still see lot's of tracks in the snow. Could be something as simple as a contaminated trap. I would suggest using a clean trap and careful not to get any lure or uren on it when you make the set. That oder will stay on that trap all season if not cleaned off properly and a fox will be happy to dig it up for you. Double check to make sure your trap is bedded solid too as any movement will take there attention away from your lure and on to the trap. Keep at it and you'll get'm!

Welcome. As mentioned try different sets. Also make sure a pebble isn't getting stuck between the jaw tips. Offset usually isn't a problem for fox in my experience. Also set another nearby or next to the other one.

As said, fox are not that smart. Get a piece of chicken, dig a deep dirt hole with a step down or trench type entrance. Make him step down to even see in the hole. Keep trap relatively close to the hole. Try stuff.dont just give up.

Some random discusions from the past concerning dug traps;

https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1001889/FOX_DIGGER_FOX.html
https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/5604157/Digging_fox
https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4120332/Dug_up_traps
https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/5776373/Traps_dug_out.
https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/6055130/Something_dug_up_my_trap
https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4182704/uncovered_trap_question
https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/6048201/Digger_coyote
https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/881973/all.html

An interesting read on fox trapping hows and whys: http://www.trapperman.com/trapperman/Goodbadandafoxtrappingeducation.html

Thanks guys. I had thought about a trench set or maybe even a buried bait set with the trap right over it. I put out a live trap camouflaged under a brush pile where there is a trail going through but haven’t got him yet I’m not giving up He’s definately got my attention now

I have used the live trap for bait. I didn't think he would enter the trap and put a leghold behind the live trap so that when he went back there to eyeball the bait under the live trap he got caught. It worked for me.

Is it a gray fox or red fox? Greys i guide like crazy! I caught 11 in 5 days on 9 acres! Keep at it! My first one ever was a challenge like you! So I added a second trap and for him!

Nice!!

I think it is a red fox - have never seen any gray fox in my part of the world If it is the same one I actually caught a picture of him either last year or the year before circling my chicken pen. I can not wait for this weather to break we have had temps in the single digits during night and teens during the day - tomorrow it’s supposed to be 44 so I will definately be making arrangements to accommodate my red friend.