Re: Red fox numbers in your area
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7152215
01/24/21 12:16 PM
01/24/21 12:16 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947 South metro, MN
Calvin
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,947
South metro, MN
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The comments on fox populations are directly tied to geographic region (of course) and more so (at least locally) to how long one has been studying fox populations.
Locally we had tons of fox until the coyotes showed up in the mid 80s. Coyotes decimated our fox population to about nothing. In recent years they have come back a "little" but no where even close to where they were back before the coyotes showed up. So if you didn't know what the population was pre coyotes in your area then you likely have a very skewed perception of what they really are now.
I used to love trapping fox. Now I don't have it in me to take them knowing the pressure the coyotes put on them and the REAL lack of their populations compared to what the should be. I release all my fox now...But about half the fox I catch are torn in half or thirds by coyotes as they often times beat me to my traps. Coyotes also den the pups. The fox will never really recover now.
For those select few that still have fox and little to no coyotes, enjoy it while it lasts.
Well I guess one good thing about wolves is they hate coyotes and seem to live decently amongst the fox. It's something
Last edited by Calvin; 01/24/21 12:19 PM.
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Re: Red fox numbers in your area
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7152320
01/24/21 01:44 PM
01/24/21 01:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,002 Oregon
beaverpeeler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,002
Oregon
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I live in western Oregon where we used to have a decent red population. My neighbor told me of catching 250 reds in my county alone in the mid-50's. For the last many years running harvest stats show that less than 50 red fox are harvested annually in all of western Oregon.
I saw my first pair of coyotes in 1974 on the valley floor. I remember telling my sheep raising neighbor about it who had lived here since the late 20's and he was sure I was mistaken since he'd never seen a coyote in the valley. That spring he called to apologize that he had doubted me, since he had lost 20 lambs that spring to coyotes. We used to see some reds on our farm but I haven't seen any for over 15 years now. We do have a pair of grays that raise a litter every year. I leave them unmolested as they do a good job on the field mice.
I also listen to the coyotes sing in the lowlands below the farm quite often.
My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
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Re: Red fox numbers in your area
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7153444
01/25/21 07:55 AM
01/25/21 07:55 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930 SEPA
Lugnut
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 19,930
SEPA
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Looks like you'll get your wish for snow tomorrow.
Eh...wot?
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Re: Red fox numbers in your area
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7153485
01/25/21 08:45 AM
01/25/21 08:45 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,312 Firth, Nebraska
jabNE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,312
Firth, Nebraska
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We have fox around here but the mostly live in town or farm yards, some along the creeks and rivers. Not many at all our in open. Along railroad right of ways seem to have some also. I am no expert but ive always heard discussions of coyote impact to fox populations. I personally believe the demise of non crop ground, i.e. CRP program grass set asides and the conversion of lots of pasture and timber areas into farm ground around here did in many species. A lot fewer pheasants when the cover all left...same with foxes. The crop and land prices here got high and led to lots of good cover turned into farm ground for crops. Friends of mine used to have over 800 acres in grass and timber. Pheasants and fox everywhere. Today in winter thst is all flat picked bean fields. When they took it out we had a doozy of a wet spring with heavy wet snows and winds, decimated the pheasant population on our end of the state. I didn't see any more fox on their ground after it all went into cropland. We could catch coyotes all day long along the little weedy fencerows left running through their place though. Like Wade, I've been turning fox loose myself for years, haven't harvested a fox catch in over 10 years but have caught several. Would just like to have more around here. Got a pair that visit our backyard often. Neat animal. There aren't a lot of hiding spots left as there used to be. Jim
Last edited by jabNE; 01/25/21 08:53 AM.
Money cannot buy you happiness, but it can buy you a trapping license and that's pretty close.
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Re: Red fox numbers in your area
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7153579
01/25/21 10:34 AM
01/25/21 10:34 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,001 USA MN
Snowpa
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,001
USA MN
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Dont forget our national bird ,They take a lot of fox especially the young !
Never Confuse Stupid With Crazy
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Re: Red fox numbers in your area
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7153859
01/25/21 03:26 PM
01/25/21 03:26 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,002 Oregon
beaverpeeler
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,002
Oregon
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I agree with jabNE bout habitat loss. Same thing in Oregon. Grass seed production in the valley requires weed free border areas so farmers have been removing odd weed covered areas and herbiciding the edges of fields and ditches to keep their grass seed weed-free certifications in place.
Also big efforts are made to control vole populations via poisoning. That's got to be hard on fox too.
Last edited by beaverpeeler; 01/25/21 03:27 PM.
My fear of moving stairs is escalating!
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Re: Red fox numbers in your area
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7154011
01/25/21 06:12 PM
01/25/21 06:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
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Lots of fox further north in the lowlands-very open up there-Fox like open areas or at least some open mixed with the bush here. Forest fires and clearcuts help the foxes here in the boreal forest by providing more open habitat.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Red fox numbers in your area
[Re: Boco]
#7154020
01/25/21 06:18 PM
01/25/21 06:18 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,121 sseMinnesota
blackhammer
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,121
sseMinnesota
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Lots of fox further north in the lowlands-very open up there-Fox like open areas or at least some open mixed with the bush here. Forest fires and clearcuts help the foxes here in the boreal forest by providing more open habitat. . Few coyotes up there Boco? Here it’s the same you usually hear everywhere They are close to towns and I have noticed in some of the wooded small valleys they will live along the roads. Big ridges and such that twenty five years ago fox loved the coyote rules now
Ah,for the life of a millionaire,say some,but just let me stay a trapper. Bill Nelson
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Re: Red fox numbers in your area
[Re: Grandpa Trapper]
#7154024
01/25/21 06:26 PM
01/25/21 06:26 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,271
james bay frontierOnt.
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There are very few coyotes but where there are some they stick close to the towns. The fox seem to do good following the wolves around,and the wolves dont seem to bother the fox. The wolves seem to not tolerate coyotes at all,and there are no coyotes where the wolves are. It is rare for wolves to come close to town.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Red fox numbers in your area
[Re: Snowpa]
#7154528
01/25/21 10:01 PM
01/25/21 10:01 PM
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Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 265 PA
Flint Lock
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 265
PA
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Dont forget our national bird ,They take a lot of fox especially the young ! Do red-tail hawks take young foxes? We have tons of them around here and they are decimating small game.
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