Fox Family Groups?

[walshie 2,804]

Over the last 4 nights, I've managed to cage trap 4 foxes. The first was a big old vixen and the last 3 were (I assume) her cubs. About normal fox height but a bit skinny and gangly.

Firstly do they have more than 3 cubs and secondly is the dog still likely to be around or do they split up once the cubs are old enough?

Thanks.

[BEARINATOR 2,923]

Yes they can have more than 3 cubs and the dog normally sticks around to help bring them up

[walshie 2,804]

Nothing else in the trap for nearly a week now. Still a strong fox smell in the garden every morning though and Mrs walshie's flowers trampled.

[paulus 26]

Nothing else in the trap for nearly a week now. Still a strong fox smell in the garden every morning though and Mrs walshie's flowers trampled.

sly old dog fox wont go near a trap unless his other food options are diminished. maybe another cub or two still about.

[Cleanspade 3,324]

litter size can be down to the supply of food or the lack of it. around me the average litter size in the countryside is around three cubs. but the townies have bigger litters. ive a litter of five youngsters close to me just now and know of one that died. the dog fox a big part in the family group. and for a while i thought he was a vixen .

[foxfan 479]

Was watching six the other evening on a fresh cut hayfield, all looked like this years. they were in and out of a copse between the two fields, i just happen to know there's two handy little earths in that copse

[The one 8,589]

Watching a wee litter here but its in a bad place of rocks but maybe they will move out now the covers coming down

[DKGPestControl 22]

Try a collarum!

Its very rare to catch an adult dog fox in a cage! even in a urban area! unless its ill or starving.

The collarum will pick it off within a week im sure, Dont disturb or change the bait for atleast 7 days, just check from a distance to let your scent settle down.

[DKGPestControl 22]

I have taken Dog, vixen and 8 cubs from a garden before. thats the largest litter i've seen.

[unclepesta 101]

Nothing else in the trap for nearly a week now. Still a strong fox smell in the garden every morning though and Mrs walshie's flowers trampled.

maybe dog fox was late back and vixen tried a easy meal and got caught cubs followed especially with mums sent in trap,i would keep it exactly as you have maybe piss the vixen on trap to offer him someway to find her,he will quit and move on otherwise.. catch him now.what bait caught vixen?

[walshie 2,804]

Nothing else in the trap for nearly a week now. Still a strong fox smell in the garden every morning though and Mrs walshie's flowers trampled.

maybe dog fox was late back and vixen tried a easy meal and got caught cubs followed especially with mums sent in trap,i would keep it exactly as you have maybe piss the vixen on trap to offer him someway to find her,he will quit and move on otherwise.. catch him now.what bait caught vixen?

 

It was a pigeon for the vixen and dog food for the cubs. It's been a while and something is still coming here every night.

Edited September 26, 2012 by walshie

[unclepesta 101]

Nothing else in the trap for nearly a week now. Still a strong fox smell in the garden every morning though and Mrs walshie's flowers trampled.

maybe dog fox was late back and vixen tried a easy meal and got caught cubs followed especially with mums sent in trap,i would keep it exactly as you have maybe piss the vixen on trap to offer him someway to find her,he will quit and move on otherwise.. catch him now.what bait caught vixen?

 

It was a pigeon for the vixen and dog food for the cubs. It's been a while and something is still coming here every night.

try another carcass for few days flys not so bad now its colder,if vixen scent is on trap it may help.good going anyway you can but try to lure him and be set for when he visits next.

[walshie 2,804]

THE FINAL STRAW. Mrs walshie just moved the paper recycling box outside and some dirty bugger has sh1t in it and down the sides. She got it on her hands!

[walshie 2,804]

Well, got another this morning. Another huge vixen like the first one. Do you reckon this could be a relative or completely unrelated? As said before, I have no idea of fox family structure. Would an adult vixen like this leave scent markings, or is it just dogs that do that? In which case I still have a dog fox around.

[kenny14 656]

Well, got another this morning. Another huge vixen like the first one. Do you reckon this could be a relative or completely unrelated? As said before, I have no idea of fox family structure. Would an adult vixen like this leave scent markings, or is it just dogs that do that? In which case I still have a dog fox around.

Both dog and Vixen scent mark.