Gray Fox Populations

[greg]

A large comprehensive study is currently being conducted on Indiana’s gray fox population.

Learn how you can Help….

www.wildlifeecology.org/grayfox_indiana.html


www.in.gov/dnr/fish-and-wildlife/wildlife-resources/animals/gray-fox/



Gray Fox Project Hotline = (812) 343-8350

Use the Hotline if
You are a trapper and you have captured a gray fox alive that we can radio-collar and release. If the fox is releasable, we will pay you $75.00/fox. This is limited to our central (Bartholomew, Decatur, and Shelby counties) and southern (Crawford, Harrison, Orange, and Perry counties) study sites.
You are a trapper and have captured a gray fox anywhere in Indiana and are willing to sell the carcass (with or without pelt) to us. We will pay you $25.00/carcass.

We make every effort to answer the Hotline immediately, especially because you may have a live captured gray fox for us. If we do not answer, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call as soon as possible.

 

[johntheplinker]

Interesting. I know when I moved out here in 2000 I'd see red/grey foxes in about a 1:1 ratio. Now its probably 4 or even 5 reds to 1 grey. May be other factors involved but even so I don't see near as many of either as just a few years ago.

 

[JimH]

I think distemper hit them and groundhogs about the same time,probably in the late 80's. This shows the infinite wisdom of the IDNR( Incompetents Doing Nothing Right)-doing a survey and paying to find grays,yet there is a 4-5 month season on them with no bag limit!

 

[DragonGunner]

Use to trap red and grey like crazy in 70's and early 80's. I see a red once in a blue moon. Have not seen a grey since the 80's.

 

[greg]

I think distemper hit them and groundhogs about the same time,probably in the late 80's. This shows the infinite wisdom of the IDNR( Incompetents Doing Nothing Right)-doing a survey and paying to find grays,yet there is a 4-5 month season on them with no bag limit!

Got link to the survey you mentioned?

 

[johntheplinker]

Got link to the survey you mentioned?

It's in the first post of the thread.

 

[JimH]

It's in the first post of the thread.

And was also included in the 2020 (Possibly 2019) Hunting and fishing guide,full back inside cover.....

 

[dekeshooter]

I've seen more red fox in my area over the last two years than I have in the previous ten years. I haven't seen a gray fox in at least 12 years, maybe closer to 15.

 

[Indyhd]

Had a red in my back yard Thursday night.

 

[greg]

It's in the first post of the thread.

That's a study not a survey...SMH

 

[boman]

 

[johntheplinker]

That's a study not a survey...SMH

I see you didn't look at the first link. Nice little form you can fill out, even.

 

[two70]

I think distemper hit them and groundhogs about the same time,probably in the late 80's. This shows the infinite wisdom of the IDNR( Incompetents Doing Nothing Right)-doing a survey and paying to find grays,yet there is a 4-5 month season on them with no bag limit!

So you'd prefer a knee jerk closure of the season on them without collecting data to see if it is even warranted?

 

[JimH]

So you'd prefer a knee jerk closure of the season on them without collecting data to see if it is even warranted?

So you'd prefer a knee jerk closure of the season on them without collecting data to see if it is even warranted?

 

[JimH]

Where did you see knee jerk? If populations are low,and they quite obviously are,or the survey or whatever you want to call it wouldn't be there. I'd say we have way more bobcats than grey fox. Not a big fan of open season on them either- limited yes. But I'm past the point of wanting to kill something just because it's there.

 

[two70]

Where did you see knee jerk? If populations are low,and they quite obviously are,or the survey or whatever you want to call it wouldn't be there. I'd say we have way more bobcats than grey fox. Not a big fan of open season on them either- limited yes. But I'm past the point of wanting to kill something just because it's there.

To suggest closing the hunting season while complaining about a study that will help determine if that is necessary or even beneficial is pretty knee jerk, IMO.

 

[COOPADUP]

It seems the population of reds has increased this year in my area.
Can't recall ever seeing a grey.

 

[greg]

I see you didn't look at the first link. Nice little form you can fill out, even.

That's a "Observation Form"....

 

[JimH]

To suggest closing the hunting season while complaining about a study that will help determine if that is necessary or even beneficial is pretty knee jerk, IMO.

I agree, but who suggested closing the season?

 

[two70]

Ok, the same applies to shortening the season or reducing the bag limit.