Grey fox disappearance theory
#8472477
09/19/25 10:21 AM
09/19/25 10:21 AM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Illinois
foxkidd44
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Jun 2007
Illinois
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As most of us are painfully aware, the grey fox has practically disappeared in many Midwest states.. Illinois has officially closed the season on them. I’m not a wildlife biologist by any stretch of imagination,, but I have been thinking about something,,, and maybe it’s already been taken into consideration…
In states where the raccoon population has virtually exploded to over 600 percent… grey fox populations have significantly decreased… is it possible, that the raccoon spread parvo and canine distemper to the greys, in numbers to where the grey fox can’t recover due to other contributing factors like coyotes and competition for resources?
Has anyone else thought of this??
Stand by your principles, Stand by your guns, and victory complete and permanent is sure at last. Abraham Lincoln
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Re: Grey fox disappearance theory
[Re: foxkidd44]
#8472478
09/19/25 10:24 AM
09/19/25 10:24 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
williamsburg ks
danny clifton
"Grumpy Old Man"
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"Grumpy Old Man"
Joined: Dec 2006
williamsburg ks
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Maybe. They compete for many of the same resources also.
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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Re: Grey fox disappearance theory
[Re: foxkidd44]
#8472503
09/19/25 11:06 AM
09/19/25 11:06 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Central, SD
Law Dog
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Central, SD
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How much habitat has disappeared in the last 50 years grey fox were common in the industrial parks that outlined the Chicago suburbs? So how much statewide damage has taken place in that time.
Last edited by Law Dog; 09/19/25 11:07 AM.
Was born in a Big City Will die in the Country OK with that!
Jerry Herbst
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Re: Grey fox disappearance theory
[Re: SNIPERBBB]
#8472609
09/19/25 02:29 PM
09/19/25 02:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Oakland, MS
Drifter
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Oakland, MS
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Back in the same time frame there was something going through the coon population. you would find dead coon usually close to water that didn't appear sick. No matted eyes or puffy noses. Looked like just laid down and went to sleep.
Some individuals use statistics as a drunk man uses lamp-posts — for support rather than for illumination.
Andrew Lang (1844-1912) Scottish poet, novelist and literary critic
Life member NTA , and GA Trappers assoc .
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Re: Grey fox disappearance theory
[Re: verminater71]
#8472633
09/19/25 03:43 PM
09/19/25 03:43 PM
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Joined: Mar 2020
W NY
Turtledale
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2020
W NY
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i have no doubt it's coyotes in my area, we had red and grey fox everywhere 30 years ago and hardly any coyotes
as the coyotes population went up you could see the fox population dropping instantly Same here
NYSTA, NTA, FTA, life member Erie county trappers assn.,life member Catt.county trappers
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Re: Grey fox disappearance theory
[Re: foxkidd44]
#8472691
09/19/25 05:46 PM
09/19/25 05:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Peoria County Illinois
Larry Baer
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Peoria County Illinois
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In Central IL there is a lot of cover but 50 years ago it was multifloral roses and we had quail and pheasants. I never saw a turkey till I was about 30. We only started hunting deer in the late 60's. So now the rose buses are gone and it' honeysuckle 12' tall where nothing else grows under t. Turkeys and deer, coyotes everywhere. No Pheasants or quail- not many rabbits either for that matter. The woods look different now. We still have some reds but not like when I was a kid.
Just passin through
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Re: Grey fox disappearance theory
[Re: foxkidd44]
#8472698
09/19/25 05:54 PM
09/19/25 05:54 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
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Nothing has changed much with the habitat here in deep southern Georgia in the past 30 years, but grey fox populations are now almost non-existent. Became very noticeable about 12 years ago. I was catching 150 to 200 greys trapping only a few weeks in January & February. Then it went to rarely seeing a grey fox track.
Wife says I'm the reason...lol
There are a few greys left here & there, but there used to be a pair behind every bush.
My theory: distemper or other disease..... that they cannot recover from.
Thank God For Your Blessings! Never Half-Arse Anything!
Resource Protection Service
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Re: Grey fox disappearance theory
[Re: Swamp Wolf]
#8472700
09/19/25 05:55 PM
09/19/25 05:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Coldspring Texas
Savell
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Coldspring Texas
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Nothing has changed much with the habitat here in deep southern Georgia in the past 30 years, but grey fox populations are now almost non-existent. Became very noticeable about 12 years ago. I was catching 150 to 200 greys trapping only a few weeks in January & February. Then it went to rarely seeing a grey fox track.
Wife says I'm the reason...lol
There are a few greys left here & there, but there used to be a pair behind every bush.
My theory: distemper or other disease..... that they cannot recover from. …. Same thing happened here
Insert profound nonsense here
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Re: Grey fox disappearance theory
[Re: foxkidd44]
#8472702
09/19/25 06:09 PM
09/19/25 06:09 PM
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Joined: Feb 2016
Kentucky
ky_coyote_hunter
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2016
Kentucky
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They never decreased here, the reds decreased for a few years, but are back now in equal numbers to the grays.
For those who speculate the coyotes decimated their grays, remember grays like cover and climb trees....And they fight better than reds.
The coyotes never budged the grays here, just the reds, but now the reds seem to have them figured out.
Member - FTA
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Re: Grey fox disappearance theory
[Re: foxkidd44]
#8472703
09/19/25 06:12 PM
09/19/25 06:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Pa
Wright Brothers
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Pa
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They have a very small home range. They take time to repopulate. While I trapped the same two lines for 50 years of course I saw decline. When the price spiked everyone was looking their way. I caught a dozen that season while a friend that travels and hunts took 40. Both of us working full time. Many have opinions, few are a true gauge. My 2 cents. I like these topics.
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Re: Grey fox disappearance theory
[Re: ky_coyote_hunter]
#8472741
09/19/25 07:32 PM
09/19/25 07:32 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
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They never decreased here, the reds decreased for a few years, but are back now in equal numbers to the grays.
For those who speculate the coyotes decimated their grays, remember grays like cover and climb trees....And they fight better than reds.
The coyotes never budged the grays here, just the reds, but now the reds seem to have them figured out. Coyotes never affected the grey fox here either. Some of the highest grey fox pockets I trapped also had a good coyote population.
Thank God For Your Blessings! Never Half-Arse Anything!
Resource Protection Service
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Re: Grey fox disappearance theory
[Re: foxkidd44]
#8472751
09/19/25 07:56 PM
09/19/25 07:56 PM
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Joined: Feb 2016
Kentucky
ky_coyote_hunter
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2016
Kentucky
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Yes, the grays and coyotes seem fairly compatible, they are both native to our country and not naturally invasive like the reds.
Coyotes & Grays have been co-existing out west forever.
Member - FTA
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