If I go the trapping route, I must obtain a commercial trapping license (free) and dispatch the animal. It takes five business days to get the license. Even if it is on my own property.
I can go with noise deterrents, but the problem will remain.
We have chickens and bees, but they are all safe and free from harm. I learned the hard way over the years.
So far, the foxes have killed many beneficial animals. We used to have to feral barn cats that kept the mouse and rodent population down - they are gone. Many of the 'good' snakes have been eaten as well.
I have contacted the animal shelter, police non-emergency department, and the Department of Natural Resources. No real help.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Early morning...Distressed rabbit call.....22LR....
End of problem...
I’d rather have foxes than cats and snakes. Foxes eat rodents also.
Along with foxes, we have coyotes in my suburban setting.
Cops won’t do anything except tell you to keep your kids and pets indoors.
I’d go the live trap method regardless. Foxes are very cool and useful animals, just maybe not in your back yard. Then if you end up in a similar situation in the future you’ll be all set to deal with it.
Ground beef.
D-con.
Some assembly required...............
Buy a shotgun from Joe Biden.
Nearby Coperative Extension?
Ours is pretty helpful.
No worry - they'll eat the rodents, too.
A fox often comes sniffing around our chicken run - it's predator-proof, but our girls make a bloody racket nonetheless.
Around here we Shoot, Shovel and Shut up. You have the right to protect your property.
Tell the authorities you saw the foxes foaming at the mouth and acting strangely. Might get their attention.
Daf will have a solution, or at least useful pics to share.
Seems like ‘wildlife’ is an outdated term. In my neck of the woods ‘Zeke’s Place is more like chillin’ out central. Plenty of lounge space, food, drinks...
Everyone gets along so no problem.
I’ve been taking care of my back yard undesirable critters with a spring powered .177 pellet rifle. The upside is the little lead hollow points and cheap and the rifle is relatively quiet so the neighbors don’t hear the shots. The downside is that it is single shot and I never got around to getting a scope on it. And you have to be pretty close for kill shots. I’ve clipped ground hogs, squirrels and an entire racoon family from 20-30 yards. There are more expensive air rifles in larger calibers that are powered by compressed air and they have multiple shot capabilities.
BTW, foxes are not known to mess with cats because cats will defend themselves, but they do hunt and kill rodents.
I like my foxes.
Shoot and shovel.
Don’t mow at least ten feet from the edge of your property. Let the weeds grow as tall as possible. Foxes will not cross this. Too much trouble. They’ll cross a mowed lawn.
I found this out a few years ago when we had an infestation of foxes in the area. I didn’t mow one section of my property because I just didn’t get ‘round to it. Through my cameras I noticed that the foxes would not cross that area whereas previously they had. Now I don’t mow the edges of my property and they no longer do sneak attacks.
I do have chickens and a cat.
“We have a family of foxes that live nearby. “
Cool!