Saw a gray fox in my yard last night, in the middle of suburbia

[Leadbutt]

For years I used to get a pair in the back yard{red}, I live in the back side of Chesapeake near the swamp and there is a large Nursery not far from me used to buy and release fox to keep he rabbits in check, haven't seen the reds any more but the grey have moved in, lots of small critters out my way to munch on

 

[HOOfan_1]

They are also the most likely animal around to carry rabies and I .

In my area I think it is the raccoons which are the most likely to be rabid. Maybe the skunks and opposums as well. My dad said he was dove hunting years ago though and a fox came up to within 3 feet of him and started hissing and spitting...luckily it was during fox season and he blew him away.

 

[lobo9er]

Considering the life span of a fox is 4-6 years and I have lived in this house for 32 years....I doubt it.

Good answer I'll have to keep that one in my pocket for the next "it was the deers land first" anti hunting argument

 

[vaherder]

Foxes

Back a few years ago was walking my old boy and all of a sudden he takes off in the tall grass. Call him and call him. Finally decide to head back to house to get a vehicle since I can cover more ground. Walking down path back to house and he finds me.

Next day he and I go out for another walk and to work on recalls. You would think a working herding dog would have a reliable recall. I thought he did. Well we worked on our recalls and were heading home and I see the red fox and my dog sees red fox. He goes off chasing the red fox. Finally they both come by me and I call him off. We had a nice discussion. Notice I dont have on a red coat, no white riding britches, no black boots and no horse. Yes we do live near Upperville and Middleburg, VA but most important you are a not a fox hound but a herding dog. He gives me a look like dad we were just playing and having fun. Miss that ole boy.

Fast forward to about 18mos ago hear a hound dog baying as me and my heridng girl are checking fences. We hear rustling and we see a a beautiful red fox. Then more rustling and a overweight hound dog appears. Fox waits for his buddy to get closer and off they go. My girl did not give chase.

We see an occassional gray fox.

My livestock guardian dogs keep the foxes, coyotes, bears and occasional mountain lion under control and keep sheep losses to a minimum. I wont interfer unless animal is rabid. I take a loss every now and then. Now if neighbors dogs are harassing my stock that is a different story.If livestock guardian dogs dont make an impression neighbors get one warning if I can find out who the dogs belong to. The next time and VA law allows I will shoot and if I know where the dogs live I string them up on there fence or front porch. Other times they just go on the bone pile. Neighbors dogs running loose are a much bigger problem then predators. Fluffy needs to stay in his own yard.

 

[jrdolall]

Neighbors dogs running loose are a much bigger problem then predators

Ditto here. I always know when it is a neighbors dog and I take it home or give them a call. Most of my dog problems are from "feral" animals that are dropped off on the highway. I have absolutely no problems with shooting these animals. They are completely out of there element and are going to go after the easiest prey they can find, my cows.
If you live in or near a city you have an Animal Control Department that will come by in a litle truck and catch stray animals. I keep my Animal Control Department in my truck.

After our rabies issue a few years ago we all went on a fox eradication kick. That lasted about a year and now we pretty much just leave them alone.