COYOTE AND FOX CONTROL

   This article is about both COYOTE and FOX
control. Although these animals are different,
the methods of controlling both nuisance and
destructive animals of either species is very
similar. This article will explain some basic
biology of these canine animals and then
offer several solutions.  PLEASE NOTE:  YOU CAN 
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        COYOTE AND FOX CONTROL/TRAPPING
		
   Both coyote and fox are prevalent throughout the
United States. Though coyote were once thought to be
native only in the great plains, they are now found
in all lower 48 states. Their color varies from black
to brown to gray to red to white. Most have some black
hair on their back and tail, but because of cross
breeding with dogs and wolves, there is no true color
which clearly defines a coyote. In fact, many people
mistake them for a dog or a wolf. Wolves are not as
dispersed as a coyote and are a subject of another article.
Because of this cross breeding, it appears coyotes have
lost their true identity. This makes it hard to quickly
identify them from region to region and even further
complicates the task of trying to establish sub species.
Fox appear to have kept their breed in tact. There are
four main fox species active in North America. This includes
the the Swift and Kit fox, which is found in the western 
part of America and the Gray and Red fox which is found
on both sides of the country. Like the coyote, fox have
learned to live amongst man. They have adapted well to
urbanization and have learned to take advantage of man
while living in our backyards. Watch this short video
to see a Red Fox walking around in the woods.



   Both fox and coyote will feed on a variety of food. 
This includes carrion, rodents, insects, fruit, vegetables,
small animals like pets, livestock and birds. Fox tend to
be more solitary and only are found in pairs during mating
season. Coyote will travel in packs foraging for food and
doing their daily activities as a group. Both are active
at night between dusk and dawn. Only in remote rural areas
with either animal forage during the day unless it is either
young or particularly hungry. Coyotes have been known to 
achieve speeds of 40 miles an hour. Females attain a body
weight of 25-30 lbs; males can grow to over 50 lbs.
Animals in the northeast seem to average the largest.
Fox are not known for their speed but rather their 
ability to move about undetected and silent. They are
able to stalk the smallest of prey with precision eyesight
and deft hearing. Female fox will have 3-10 pups from March
to May, depending on the part of the country. Coyote will have
3-6 pups during March to May. They live in dens and it is
not uncommon to find several litters present in the spring.
This is due to males having mated with more than one
female. Since they will share living areas, pups are 
born and cared for by the community. Fox are solitary.
Their den will only house a female and her young.   	
   Both fox and coyote become a problem when their feeding
leads them to our gardens, livestock or pets. Coyote are
more likely to eat garden vegetables and fruit. Because
of how they forage, damage is quick and complete. Fox
damage may be harder to find. Both animals will readily
eat pheasant, quail, chicken and turkey. Both love eggs
and can cause huge financial losses to both the
commercial farmer as well as the weekend gardener. As
people build ponds stocked with fish, turtles and other
live animals, fox and coyote find these areas and quickly
learn to feed on the bounty. Such refuge provide a quick
meal; these small "ponds" offer no protection for the
fish and wildlife man tries to keep as pets. It is hard
to blame either the fox or coyote for their actions. In 
the wild, their feeding serves a purpose. However, in
urban areas, conflict is now occurring. This video features 
a young red fox which is perfectly comfortable coming into 
the back yard of a home in a residential neighborhood and 
bedding down.



   Homeowners are now more likely to see a coyote or fox
than in any other time of our countries existence. These
animals are fun to watch and many times welcomed when
first found. However, be aware of their presence. Coyote
are pack hunters. They readily chase and catch deer for
food. Small vulnerable pets are no match for a wild
coyote or fox. Both cats and dogs are easy prey as well
as all the beautiful birds, squirrels and chipmunks
around the bird feeder. If you are seeing a lot of 
activity by either animal, be careful. Both carry
the rabies virus as well as other disease. Neither is
a "dog" which wants to be petted and you should never
feed them intentionally. Because of the damage they do, 
both fox and coyote need to be controlled in many
situations. This can be done with the use of several
types of traps and lures. They can be used in many
ways and over the years, furriers have developed some
great ways to trap even the most wily coyote. If you
have coyote or fox causing problems on your land, it
may be time to start trapping them.
   The most common type of trap used for both coyote
fox is the leghold. This includes both the COIL and
the LONG SPRING design. These traps are used many
ways. If you are an experienced trapper, than you
know how to make a set and what to use with the traps.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PHOTO OF A GOOD LEG TRAP SET

If this is a new activity for you, this article will
not be able to detail enough information in order
for you to go out and trap successfully. We suggest
you get our FOX AND COYOTE BOOK which goes over
several methods and sets which are the most effective
methods and sets known. Simply put, they work. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PHOTO OF A LEG TRAPPED FOX

The handbook is both easy to read and explains the details
clearly with illustrations. There are two things that
are needed when working with either leghold trap as
you will learn in the book. This is URINE and LURE.
These special formulations enable you to make good
sets which will be both free of your scent and alluring
to either species. For the more experienced trapper,
you may want to try SNARES. These are less expensive to 
use for startup costs, but to be effectively used,
many more must be put afield. These are precision
traps and must be set along trails, pathways, holes or
in exact locations where you know fox or coyote travel.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PHOTO OF A COYOTE SNARED

In the end, you will probably spend as much time and
money making effective snare sets as you would making
leghold sets. Traditionalists use legholds, modern
trappers have adopted snares and a good balance is
probably a good idea. Remember, you can't have too much
Urine in the field or too many sets!
   Another method of trapping which used to be thought
of as impossible to do is live trapping. Recent trap

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PHOTO OF A LIVE TRAPPED COYOTE


CLICK HERE TO SEE A PHOTO OF A LIVE TRAPPED FOX


design combined with "step trapping" will enable you
to live trap fox or coyote. Step trapping is the process
of putting a trap out unset with the door wired
open. Food is then presented to the target animal over
a period of nights. It is recommended that you offer
food outside the trap the first night, at the traps
entrance the second night and then in the trap the third
night still without actually setting it. It is also
suggested that the trap is disguised by covering it
with landscape on the sides, top and bottom. One very
effective way to camouflage the trap is to utilize
pine straw bales and lots of them. The trick is to
completely surround the trap which includes the sides,
the back and the top. Pull straw through the mesh from
inside the trap. Be sure to use either mud, dirt or
more straw to cover the bottom of the cage. The following
video features a live trap set being made by a professional
trapper.


Coyote and fox are accustomed to seeing straw
stacked this way as they are accustomed to
seeing wire in farm areas so you don't have to
cover every exposed piece to have success.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A PHOTO OF A LIVE TRAP SET

Urine should be used on and around it as well as target
food scent or lure. By making the trap appear to be
a "cage" rather than a trap, both coyote and fox can
be caught. This type of set is very effective if the
animals are used to entering chicken coops or other
holding areas for pets, livestock or birds. In fact,
this type of trap set is very effective if used in
a barn, pen or other livestock cage where coyote or
fox are entering. Upon entering the pen, they are
expecting to see a wire and cage like designs so if
set in their path with a good lure, you are likely
to get one live trapped. Both coyote and fox will be
more wary of a live trap which is placed in the woods
where such a set is not natural. If you want to 
successfully live trap either species, you will need
to do so by making your set where the animals are
currently active and causing destruction. Instead of
trying to build a stronger, better fence, try making
a live set at or near the entrance path. Either a
LT151842 or the LT152248 will work. Remember, the
higher trap will work better for coyote. Fox are small 
enough to be caught in a LT161660, but if you suspect
coyote to be the intruder, stick with the taller
design. Don't forget to use some urine, lure and target
food attractant. To make the ultimate live set, get the
LT152248RD and have us install a LIVE BAIT CAGE. We 
will wire this into the back section of the trap and it
will act as a holding cage enabling you to use a small
animal as live bait. This Bait Cage is perfect for a chicken
or squirrel and since both Coyote and Fox can't resist what
they believe to be an easy meal, live trapping them will
become that much easier when a Live Bait Cage is used.
   Once you have successfully trapped a coyote or fox
with any of the traps listed above you may want to use
a CATCH POLE to help relocate and move the animal. These
are the long sticks you see animal control officers use
when dealing with irate animals. The sticks have a thick
cable which is slipped around the animals neck. You are
able to tighten the noose as much as needed which should
be tight enough to constrain the animal but not kill it.
Be prepared for a fight since most wild animals do not
like the prospect of being kept under control with this
device. However, the stick provides a lot of leverage 
which enables the handler to gain control of just about
any animal including dogs, cats, beaver, deer, coyote,
fox and others.
   Fox and coyote are distributed throughout the United
States and are becoming more and more of a problem. They
are causing destruction and damage to gardens, livestock
and other wildlife. Though essential to the balance of
nature, both will readily take advantage of easy prey.
Homeowners, weekend gardeners and farmers are finding
more and more damage being caused by these canines.
To control local nuisance animals, use either Coil or
Bridger leg hold traps. Snares can also be used and don't
forget urine and lure in order to make the best set.
Live traps can be used effectively as well and our 
handbook for making the perfect set will prove to be a
big help.

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