Any advice on getting rid of foxes?

[hube2]

I have a fox den (red fox) somewhere near or on my property. I plan to look for it when the rain stops.

Problem is that they have started chasing pets and since they have become a threat I need to do something about it.

I could go out with my gun at dusk and wait for them to emerge, but I'd prefer not to. I'm not against killing them but I really have better things to do than going out every night before the sun goes down and laying around in the bushes.

Anyone have any success with a method to make them move? Just not want to use the den any longer? Or otherwise get rid of them is some way that doesn't endanger pets and children?

 

[Torvy]

Get bigger pets.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Years ago, I used a catch & release trap to solve a fox problem:

https://www.amazon.com/Animal-Trap-x26-x17-LifeSupplyUSA/dp/B07MJ7XCJX/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?gclid=CjwKCAjwtIaVBhBkEiwAsr7-c83yV5vtwQ4V3JlAi5CJFk-oJrYLnhZ1fKGHOEhL8XchrgpzmPDl6xoCsa8QAvD_BwE&hvadid=583829168848&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9007067&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15304805642565520414&hvtargid=kwd-337453350474&hydadcr=318_1014988564&keywords=havahart+fox+trap&qid=1654779029&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A3PKL90JXD2CJK&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzMjdBQVhVWVRGSU1IJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDI0ODEzM0JSS1NWVjZJRkE4MiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjg4Mzk5MjBCVjRRRkw0QkZYWSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

You should first check your local game regulations before trapping. Some states prohibit relocating trapped animals.

Since we no longer have pets, we like having foxes around. They control mice, squirrels ground hogs and other unwanted rodents.

 

[sea2summit]

I've killed a ton and just kept getting more and more. Got a Pyrenees and haven't had a problem since, now I've got three Pyrenees and other than the feed bill I have no regrets and I get to sleep a lot more. As an added benefit they also keep out racoon, bobcat, coyote, and hogs.

 

[hube2]

I cannot catch and release here. In NY they fall under the definition of "Damaging Wildlife" because of the part that reads "kills or threatens your livestock or pets". Because of this I am allowed to kill them if I must.

For anyone interested in NY laws on taking wildlife: Remove or

In order to do catch and release I wold have to hire someone that is licensed to do so.

Like I said, I'd rather just give them a reason to go elsewhere on their own. If that doesn't work then I'm left with spending a lot of time laying in the bushes.

Honestly, I'd prefer to leave them be and if they get a cat, well that's the breaks, but my family does not agree with that notion.

 

[Torvy]

Keep the cats inside. If not a fox, a coyote, or raptor of some sort will grab them up.

I feel your pain. At least wife understands if they go outside they are part of the circle of life.

Given the familial and political box you are in, gotta shoot the fox...traps would also catch the cats. Maybe have the cat lovers shoot the fox?

 

[alexpops]

German Shepherd

 

[bdhsfz6]

If you can't trap & release, then trap & shoot. Not very sporting but at least you aren't out laying in the bushes all night.

 

[ericm979]

The best way would be to keep the cats indoors. Coyotes are even more of a danger to cats than foxes. They're bigger (predators prefer uneven odds) and unlike foxes they hunt in groups. I think they're smarter too.

 

[MossRoad]

If you don't want to dispatch them, and just want them to go away, find the den and hang around it a lot. Like several times a day. Mow down any brush or grass around it. Run the mower near it a couple times a day. Throw a couple shovel fulls of dirt down the hole every day. Be "that guy" that you wouldn't want to live next to. They don't like people and they don't like being out in the open. They'll move.

 

[dj1701]

This is why I would never hurt a hair on my local foxes head. https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/5b4a6298-jpg.649941/

 

[Jchonline]

Get rid of your puny little house dogs and get a real one! We have a German Shepherd….no problems at all.

 

[sea2summit]

Get rid of your puny little house dogs and get a real one! We have a German Shepherd….no problems at all.

Doesn't sound like he has puny little dogs...cat guy.

 

[hube2]

If you can't trap & release, then trap & shoot. Not very sporting but at least you aren't out laying in the bushes all night.

Never thought about that.

But with my luck I'd probably just catch the damn cats.

If you don't want to dispatch them, and just want them to go away, find the den and hang around it a lot. Like several times a day. Mow down any brush or grass around it. Run the mower near it a couple times a day. Throw a couple shovel fulls of dirt down the hole every day. Be "that guy" that you wouldn't want to live next to. They don't like people and they don't like being out in the open. They'll move.

I am looking at ways to make them vacate and I will try all of these when/if I find the den.

I've also read that they don't like capsaicin or vinegar so was thinking about spreading a jar of my pickled jalapenos around the area.

But I'm really only interested in the mamma. If she goes the male will not hang around. I need to make the mother go away because she will use the same den year after year.

 

[ericm979]

If you don't want to dispatch them, and just want them to go away, find the den and hang around it a lot. Like several times a day. Mow down any brush or grass around it. Run the mower near it a couple times a day. Throw a couple shovel fulls of dirt down the hole every day. Be "that guy" that you wouldn't want to live next to. They don't like people and they don't like being out in the open. They'll move.

She'll move to a new den. But she probably will move to a new den in her territory. Foxes are usually territorial. If the surrounding area is all full up (from the standpoint of foxes) then there's no where for this fox to go without having to fight it out.

 

[lman]

Get rid of your puny little house dogs and get a real one! We have a German Shepherd….no problems at all.

Same here. Came home a couple days ago and he had a groundhog up a tree. Good target practice.

 

[Snobdds]

Growing up on a large ranch, I had a .22 and a 4 wheeler. There was no safe fox or coyote. I use to build hay forts on a bluff overlooking the meadows and kept the vermin population down. I got so good sniping with a .22 bolt action single shot rifle. Even if you take them all out, others will move in. It took me years to learn this.

Now I just have a family that has it's den in the field behind the house. They keep the other foxes out and they also keep the praried dogs at bay.

I guess I'm saying, you won't kill your way out of this, accept it and move on. Get one dog that is an alpha and chases them off. For me, the corgi was the dog that didn't back down to no-one.

There is the field where there is a den of foxes. Same family has been in it for close to 10 years now. Also here is the corgi that backs down from nothing. He's been a good ranch dog.

 

[Diggin It]

If you don't want to dispatch them, and just want them to go away, find the den and hang around it a lot. Like several times a day. Mow down any brush or grass around it. Run the mower near it a couple times a day. Throw a couple shovel fulls of dirt down the hole every day. Be "that guy" that you wouldn't want to live next to. They don't like people and they don't like being out in the open. They'll move.

And while you're out there, water the bushes. You know, ... water ... the ... bushes ... the way guys do.

 

[/pine]

Spreading dog hair around their den has been proven effective...(dog groomers are a viable source for non dog owners)...

 

[scaredychicken]

junk yard DOG

or, just a yard dog