Fox Problem. Need a solution.

I've posted this in the hog, varmint, and small game section already, but, want to get more exposure:

I live in a residental neighborhood and we have a few foxes running around. I've seen them at night and wish to live capture them to relocate them elsewhere. The foxes have been eating some of the local pet population. Anyone know a good bait to use to lure a fox into a live trap? Please no smart arse responses like use a cat or dog.

RABIES QUARANTINE
It is a Class C misdemeanor to transport or sell live foxes, coyotes and raccoons from, to, or within this state.

Texas Administrative Code
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TITLE 25 HEALTH SERVICES
PART 1 DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
CHAPTER 169 ZOONOSIS CONTROL
SUBCHAPTER A RABIES CONTROL AND ERADICATION
RULE §169.34 Statewide Quarantine

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(a) Declaration. The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) declares a statewide rabies quarantine.

(1) Statewide quarantine. The area is defined by the borders of the State of Texas.

(2) It is illegal to transport animals subject to the statewide rabies quarantine from, to, or within the State of Texas.

(3) Animals subject to the statewide rabies quarantine include any live species of foxes indigenous to North America, coyote (Canis latrans), or raccoon (Procyon lotor).

(4) Transport exceptions. Animals subject to the statewide rabies quarantine may be transported by peace officers and individuals hired or contracted by local, state, or federal government agencies to deal with stray animals when such transport is a part of their official duty. These animals may also be transported by employees of zoos or other institutions accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums when such transport is part of their official duty. If an exempt individual transports such animals for release, the animals must be released within a ten-mile radius or within ten miles of the city limits of where they were originally captured.

(b) Executive Commissioner of the HHSC's designee. The Executive Commissioner of the HHSC's designee is the commissioner of the Department of State Health Services, whom the Executive Commissioner of the HHSC appoints to act as his or her designee as described in the Texas Health and Safety Code, §826.045.

(c) Special provisions for raccoons. In addition to the transport exceptions listed in subsection (a)(4) of this section, the following individuals may transport raccoons:

(1) rehabilitators permitted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department may transport raccoons within a ten-mile radius or within ten miles of the city limits of where they were originally captured;

(2) pest control operators licensed by the Structural Pest Control Board may transport raccoons within a ten-mile radius or within ten miles of the city limits of where they were originally captured; and

(3) educators permitted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for educational display.

(d) Rehabilitation of animals. Except for raccoons, rehabilitation of animals listed in subsection (a)(3) of this section is prohibited.


Contact the Texas Wildlife Services, formerly called the Texas Animal Damage Control Service to assist with trapping/removal of the species. (210) 472-5451

I believe this section will allow me to call the local animal control officer to come and pick up the fox after I capture them....

(4) Transport exceptions. Animals subject to the statewide rabies quarantine may be transported by peace officers and individuals hired or contracted by local, state, or federal government agencies to deal with stray animals when such transport is a part of their official duty. These animals may also be transported by employees of zoos or other institutions accredited by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums when such transport is part of their official duty. If an exempt individual transports such animals for release, the animals must be released within a ten-mile radius or within ten miles of the city limits of where they were originally captured.

you got served

Nope...just got off the phone with Dale Lewis of Keller animal control...he said that Keller animal control officer Doug Ship said it is lawful to capture the fox in a live trap as long as I contact animal control to remove the fox. It is unlawful to keep traps out from Friday evening to Sunday evening due to animal control office is closed. I am also not allowed to move the trap with the live animal once captured. He also said it is very difficult to capture foxes. He recommends using sardines as bait.

quote=fishhuntgolfgeek]I've posted this in the hog, varmint, and small game section already, but, want to get more exposure:

I live in a residental neighborhood and we have a few foxes running around. I've seen them at night and wish to live capture them to relocate them elsewhere. The foxes have been eating some of the local pet population. Anyone know a good bait to use to lure a fox into a live trap? Please no smart arse responses like use a cat or dog.


[/quote]

Do you have proof that the fox has been eating pets? Or just speculation because of sightings?

I was on your side fella haha

If you ever lived next door to someone that feeds every cat in the neighborhood. Depredation is a good thing.

Best solution will be take your pets and food in at night.

Also called local Game Warden David Vannoy...he said it's okay to live trap foxes as long as you have a permit or hunting license. He also said I have to contact local animal control for disposition of the animal, which I did. As for coyotes, I haven't seen a coyote in this neighborhood for several years. Not saying they don't exsist here, but, I haven't seen a coyote in a long time. The foxes I see almost nightly. We've had two cats missing since the foxes appeared. Animal control said they would humanely relocate the foxes to another location. What I'm worried about is foxes with rabies biting my dog.

Foxes do well in the cities. They are probably living in a hollow tree or old culvert

I've seen foxes lately and have lived here 7yrs and this is a first. A boom in the poulation is occuring I assume. Also have seen turkeys when I never have before. Something to be said for the drought? I can't figure it out. Traping a fox is about the hardest animal to trap IMHO. Thats why they call them a Fox.

Good Luck.

I have a bunch of foxes in my neighborhood, I've tried sardines, canned cat food, fresh fish remains after cleaning & even tried some fox urine, I have yet to catch a fox. My trap is 24" x 24" x 6' long. I have seen foxes within 10' of my trap & they wont mess with anything I put in there. Cats & Coons? No problem, one after another.

I like that you are trying to relocate rather than kill them. It's not their fault they find a plentiful food source near people. I can't stand cats that are allowed to roam freely, it pisses me off when I find dead birds they've killed on my property. If it was me I'd look the other way while they took care of those cats but protect your dog.

I love cats but I'm with ya my friend.

As per my previous post. I now consider a cat feral if it's not on a leash or have a collar.

You try fox pee? Easiest way to target just fox and try to weed out undesirables like cats and coons.

The only fox I ever saw in a live trap was one we had out for Bobcat. Live rooster in the "Bait" part of the cage.

We have foxes, bobcats and coyotes in my area of Dallas. Pretty cool to see them, but they will kill unattended pets. Also recently saw pics of a feral hog in the area.

Thanks all, I wouldn't want to see these foxes harmed in any way as they are beautiful creatures. Animal control said they will relocate for me. I've noticed my dog has been getting alot of scent around the yard and he's marking (peeing) up the yard like crazy. I think the fox has been eating some dog food left out. I've pulled in the dog food at night. Just don't want my lab to get bit. He's got his rabies shots but you never know what else a fox bite could give him.

There's also canine VD.

I would be suprised if the Foxes are the reason for the missing pets. Most house cats and dogs are bigger than your average Fox and Foxes aint all that aggressive.

The only thing I can add to this is contact the city and see if trapping is allowed. Our city does not allow the trapping of any animals inside the city limit's by anybody other than animal control.

Trap for coons all the time at the ranch using sardines. Catch lots of coons and feral cats, but only one fox in 4 years, and we have lots of em out there. Started getting the feral cats lately. Nasty animals. My guess is you'll catch all the neighborhood cats.

Doubt its a fox killing pets. Had a family of them living in my back rock wall for a few years and nobody had any pet problems. Never saw any rodents or cottontails though, other than their little bones by the den.

I am with the folks who consider roaming household cats feral. Two of my neighbor's each have a precious cat and they have started fighting and marking on my back patio at 2 AM RIGHT OUTSIDE MY BEDROOM. I think I am gonna start trapping for fox on my back patio. Might accidently catch a "feral cat".

Choot em Elisabeth choot em.

If you have a problem don't advertise it, solve it. S.S.S.

I caught a fox in a live trap baited with sardines. I was trying to catch coons at my feeder. Anyway, I was very surprised at how small the fox was. It was an adult, but I seriously doubt it could kill a domestic cat or dog.

Dry cat food is the ticket for live traps on my block. Any neighborhood that has lots of cats being fed outside daily makes cat food an easy meal choice.

same here, at my buddies ranch they trapped a bunch of foxes trying to catch a big bobcat. they used some old deer meat and bobcat piss, but never caught a cat. go figure

Foxes, Housecats, and Roadrunners are a major contributor to declining Quail populations...Foxes do catch some mice, but will
decimate a covey of birds...We have no shortage of same..it wouldn't hurt to do some culling there..DD

try peanut butter used to work on coyotes and an occasional fox smeared on tree set when I used to trap. or go to pet store buy a couple of mice for bait.