There is a fox den in my back yard! And now a coyote too! Photo added!

[AnnMorin]

The fox was here before we built five years ago and never bothered us-actually beautiful to watch in the snow. But that was when the den was about 100 feet back towards the woods. We didn't see it for about two years (and had a terrible time with chipmunks-one good thing about having a fox you have no other verman!!) Yesterday I looked out the window and saw it again. This one looks much bigger-the size of a medium dog.

I watched as it ate a rabbit and then something startled it and it ran closer towards our house. When it got I would say maybe thirty feet from our hottub and deck it disapeared behind what I thought was a log. (saw something brown in the snow) Right on the edge of the forest line on a hillside. DS said it must be a new den. I didn't think that was possible as it has been so cold the ground would be frozen, but DH went outside and walked towards the woods and said that yes indeed it was fresh dug dirt.

So my dilemma.. the fox will probably have a litter soon. It has never bothered us and will probably move on once the kitts are born. I have told DS to stay away from it and if I had not looked out the window when I did I probably would not know it was so close. (I have seen a lot of fox tracks in the snow so I knew it was back just not so close to the house) should I be worried? My gut tells me no but geez it is awfully close to the house, I didn't even want to go in the hot tub last night-DH laughed at me saying did I think the fox was going to jump me??

 

[Krisu]

I think I would only be concerned at night. And If you say you think there will be a litter soon, I guess I would stay away from the den. I'm no expert!

 

[EltonJohn]

AnnMorin,

If you're really concerned than I'd advise you to call animal control-they will take care of the problem for you.

diane

 

[AnnMorin]

Well actually I did call the environmental police the first time there was a den farther back.. I even told them there were bones by the hole- there response was "are they human remains?" when I said no and after they stopped laughing they said enjoy the beauty of the animal unless it is aggressive it was there first and you need to co-exist. Honestly we have never had any problem with it at all and it is beautiful but I was a bit concerned as this new den is so much closer to our home, and the hot tub which we do go in at night (well not lately)

 

[Krisu]

Maybe the hot tub is the reason the fox is staying

 

[Saffron]

Me, I would love it. Unless you have very young children or animals that stay outside, such as rabbits, I would just let it be. I would love to have something like that in my backyard, but maybe not. I just don't like the fact that it would eat the feral kittens, bunnies and birds that come into the yard. Now if they were herbivores I would love it.

I'm not sure, but I think that foxes are just as active during the day, as they are during the night. I trail hike a lot and I often see them digging under logs or such during the day.

I would say try to co-exist if at all possible. If you see any behavior that would rouse suspicion, then call the wildlife service in your area.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font color=navy>Lucky you to have a fox so close to you.

I pretty much agree w/Miss Saffron. Enjoy it, and I wouldn't call anyone unless it caused a danger to you & your family.

 

[EltonJohn]

Originally posted by AnnMorin
Well actually I did call the environmental police the first time there was a den farther back.. I even told them there were bones by the hole- there response was "are they human remains?" when I said no and after they stopped laughing they said enjoy the beauty of the animal unless it is aggressive it was there first and you need to co-exist. Honestly we have never had any problem with it at all and it is beautiful but I was a bit concerned as this new den is so much closer to our home, and the hot tub which we do go in at night (well not lately)

Do you hunt???

diane

 

[AnnMorin]

No I don't hunt

 

[Buz]

You should post some pics here on the DIS. We had a gray fox near us when we moved, but the area has been so built up over the past 10 years, we haven't seen one for a while.

Now if only the deer would stop eating the irises.

Buz

 

[AnnMorin]

I have it on film but only from the camcorder- I will try to capture it on regular film to post. I am a bit nervous to approach the den to take that picture-don't know how protective it would be of it. Maybe it would just hide down deeper-I read there are multiple escape holes but I am a bit jittery to go to close. I can see the disturbed dirt from the upstairs back windows but have not walked ove there myself.

 

[Saffron]

I wouldn't go near the den, for several reasons.

First of all, I'm a big chicken.

Secondly, might they abandon the den because it's been found? I don't know if they would or not, but I wouldn't want to take a chance in case he/she would decide to build one closer to your home!

Thirdly, you really don't know how protective it would be, especially if there are kits in there.

But, next time you see him/her playing/hunting in the yard, take pictures and post! That would be so cool! Oooooh! I'm gonna love this thread!

 

[SuiteDisney]

If the foxes are healthy, they shouldn't bother you.

But they will kill your cats or small dogs.

I always worry about rabies around wild animals. It's more prevalent than most people realize.

 

[AnnMorin]

We have a little westie who has been going nuts at the slider doors by the deck for weeks -now I know why (sorry chelsea for all the times I called you psychotic ) But she is not allowed out off leash. I used to walk her by the woods but won't for now. I think I will have DH fill it in the summer as I am sure they will move on. Right now we are not outside much as it is five degrees as I type but DS does play football in the back yard and not far from the hole which is on the edge of the woodline and the grassy area. I would think once we become more active (ie: lawnmower going etc) the fox will move on further into the woods. From what I have read they have several contingency dens dug. The kitts should be born in a few weeks according to a web page I found so I have film in my camera and will keep an eye out-that would be a neat photo to have if mama brings them out. As I said it is not much of an issue right now because we only go as far as the hot tub which is a good 30 feet from the den.

 

[AnnMorin]

I could not believe it !! I feel like I live on wild kingdom! I looked out the window and saw something move in the yard. I thought it must be the fox so grabbed my camera. It was not the fox but a COYOTE!! I walked throught the yard and down onto the golf course. Well a few mins. later it was back by our dog run and sniffing around the fox hole. I took pictures of it and will upload them when I get them back-maybe I will run over to the one hour photo- tried to get the fox hole too but didn't want to get too close. DH tried to tell me it was a dog but I know better (he was not home) so I want to show him the pictures. So maybe the coyote will take care of the fox but then who will take care of the coyote? I'd rather have the fox!! I didn't think coyotes came out in the day it in only noon! Ann

 

[Saffron]

Wow! Coyotes can cause more trouble than foxes: they get into trash, steal laundry hanging on lines, eat baby animals etc. but that is cool! Coyotes are definitely active during the day, though I've never seen one. They've always been to wiley for me. I can't wait to see your pictures!!!!!

 

[captin fink]

You can send the fox my way if you like. I have a back yard full of moles that I am sure the fox would love. As for the Coyote people don't realize that they can live in urban areas and you don't even know it. Enjoy the nature in your back yard.

 

[AnnMorin]

I don't mind the fox- when it was last here we had no chipmunks at all then either it moved or died because we had a terrible time with them last year and I didn't see the fox. Just dropped of the film at the one hour photo and DH will pick it up on his way home, hopefully the coyote was not too far away and the picture comes out. I didn't open the slider when I took it so hopefully it won't be all glare. I was looking at pictures on line and I don't know if it was a coyote or wolf- looked kinda like a wolf, once the pictures come back I can tell better.
Yeah we are not too urban, this is a farming community. One side of my property borders the golf course and the other many many acres of woods. We have a bear that passes through the same spot once or twice a year too..

 

[nativetxn]

I would love to have a fox in my back yard, they are so beautiful. But I don't have a cat for it to eat up and my dog is probably too large at 75 for a fox to try to eat.

Can't wait to see the photos

 

[AnnMorin]

Dh should be home in about an hour with the pictures.,, I am almost wondering if it was a wolf not a fox looking at various websites-it was grey not red. I can compare better once the pictures get here ( I hope they came out ok)
Now does anyone know how to put them up? I have a scanner and could email them as an attached file but I don't have a website so I don't know how to upload them to the board.