What to do about a fox?!

[springbabes]

I live in a suburban neighborhood. My 3 acre property borders 10 houses on quarter acre lots. It is absolutely illegal (not to mention dangerous) to fire a gun here. So, what do I do about a fox that keeps coming here and picking off my chickens? I've called city animal control and they only deal with domestic animals. I've called wildlife management. They've told me I'm on my own, that foxes aren't protected, so I can do whatever I want with it. I've called urban wildlife control. They said they'd come out after I've noticed a pattern, that it would be unwise to set a trap because I'd be catching all the neighborhood cats (which I imagine is true). Well, the fox comes randomly, once every few weeks. I've seen him at 7:30 am, 10 am, and 5:30 pm.

I hate leaving my chickens in their pen all day. I'm thinking about setting a trap anyway but have no idea where I would find one, how much it would cost, what to bait it with, etc. If I checked it several times a day, I could just release any cats, right? And say I did catch a fox--what would I do with it?

Any advice on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated!

[TurnerHill]

A fox out an about at 10 AM might get animal control's attention. Make sure to mention the time, when you call them.

Generally, you'll have problems with foxes early morning and evening. So you don't need to leave the chickens in their pen all day. Just get them in at night.

[unioncreek]

You may want to find a live trap and try that.

Bob

[JHinCA]

Get a dog.

[farmerjon]

I dont want to say never, but you will never catch a fox in a live trap. They just will not go into it. The best thing is to make every neighbor you have aware of it. Next time the fox is spotted if a few diffrent people call and complain they will have to do something about it. Sqweeky wheel gets the grease.

[Maura]

A dog works, but only when he is outside. I say get a live trap. You have some idea of how often he comes around, so you don't need to leave it out all the time. A dead fish is good bait for raccoons and possums, don't know about a fox. Sometimes they will eat dog food.

A cat might get caught once, but not twice, and you just let him out. Once the fox is caught, call wildlife control and see if they will come and get it. If it is a nursing female, they will want you to release it. Foxes carry rabies, so be careful.

[Wis Bang]

Originally Posted by Maura

A dog works, but only when he is outside. I say get a live trap. You have some idea of how often he comes around, so you don't need to leave it out all the time. A dead fish is good bait for raccoons and possums, don't know about a fox. Sometimes they will eat dog food.

A cat might get caught once, but not twice, and you just let him out. Once the fox is caught, call wildlife control and see if they will come and get it. If it is a nursing female, they will want you to release it. Foxes carry rabies, so be careful.

More likely to catch a 'polecat' than a fox. Look for the local fur trapper. Things will smell better that way.

[mtnbluet881]

See the Groundhog post.

Would mint/peppermint oil work for a fox?

I know they have keen smellers......

[Pops2]

contact the state fur trappers association and see if they can refer someone. you can catch fox & coyote w/ cage traps but you have to be a really good canine trapper first. a good lurcher or sighthound would be the best and there are wolfers in your area w/ good stags.

[Windy_jem]

Bow and arrow...a silent kill.

[geo in mi]

Tell one of your neighbors in the quarter acre section that you 'thought' you saw a vicious fox in her yard 'foaming at the mouth'. Pretty soon she'll tell another neighbor and the rumor will spread about the rabid fox and everyone will call animal control in a panic.....................

[Yvonne's hubby]

With that many neighbors close by, just ask them to please not bother your new pet fox that you are trying to tame and keep, one of them will surely get rid of it for you.

[foxtrapper]

Well, I regularly catch foxes in live traps. They're called foothold traps. I think what the other poster was actually referring to was a cage trap. Other than the massive fabocop cage trap, I agree, foxes will not enter them.

So, foothold trap the fox with a simple straw set, dispatch the fox, and dispose of the carcass. Beware of various laws governing trapping. SSS thinking applies.

[fatrat]

You need to hire a good fur trapper. A good trapper can catch the fox avoid all pets and no body will ever even know he was there, including you. A good trapper is kind of like an U.S. Air Force Combat Controller. They come in, get the work done, get out and no one ever knows they were there, except the enemy and they are all dead.

[chamoisee]

You could call your local conservation alliance and see if they will come and get him.

Electric fence is a very good deterrent for nervous animals, and foxes fall into that category.

Or you could do research on the natural enemies of fox, get urine or scent from that animal and mark the boundaries of your property with that.

I understand where you are coming from, but in the big scheme of things....there are billions of chickens and not that many foxes. I would try to find a way to deter him or her.

[plowjockey]

Can you put up a very good 2 wire electric fence (bottom wire 6") with the biggest charger you can afford, around the permimeter of where the hens will be?

The fox should get the idea quickly and move on.

[AJcantsay]

http://www.bugspray.net/catalog/products/page2039.html

The link above is a little blog I found with general info on foxes and trapping them. It also links to the different types of traps and a place where you can purchase said traps. I in no way endorse either of these websites and have no idea if the productions are any good but it's something you can at minimum look at to get some ideas.

[mtnbluet881]

Just heard from an Organic farmer:

Although these remedies are to keep rabbits away, it might work for a fox as well.

Try either coyote / bobcat urine

and /or

garlic and cayenne pepper spray

Both of the above can be found at farm supply stores or online.

[Pops2]

this is my fox removal method

[cowboy joe]

I second, or is it third, the suggestion to contact the local trappers association. Please note, a licensed trapper can only legally trap during the posted season. Also check for licensed Wildlife Control Officers (WCO). These are specially trained trappers whose license allows them to trap any time of year. These folks are typically very good and will use humane and quiet trapping methods as to not upset the neighbors.