How to Relocate Gray Foxes Living in My Backyard

July 1, 2010

Question: I live in the Sacramento area and saw a family of gray foxes in my backyard living under a shed. There are two babies and a mother. Who should I call in order to have them relocated? Are there any particular things I should avoid doing in order not to provoke them? (Van N.)

Answer: Gray foxes are native to California and have been living in semi-urban backyards for many decades. According to DFG Associate Wildlife Biologist Dale Whitmore, they can be beneficial by reducing the rodent population and will keep to themselves if the landowner stays away from them. Make sure to remove any pet food and water bowls to discourage them from staying. Their survival depends upon each fox keeping its fear of people. If there is a problem, try calling the Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner.

I disagree that they will keep to themselves.  I've got 4 gray and 4 red foxes that live within a few hundred yards of my house.  They come out every evening and make a noise as if possessed by a devil!!  These foxes will approach me and will gang up; one coming from the front, two from the rear, so that I have to keep spinning around to keep them from moving in on me.  They also have terrorized my dogs to the point that when they hear their 'hounds-from-hell' caterwalling, they refuse to go outside, even to eat. 
I've trapped them and then banged on the trap with a broom to let them know I am not to be messed with.  That usually does it.  Until next year when a new crop of foxes show up.  Probably not legal, but it's not like FNG or anyone is going to come deal with me. 
They also are very prone to distemper.  When sick, they show up in the middle of the day and lay down on the lawn or my flower beds.  I've called FNG and Animal Control.  Their response is; leave them alone and they will go away.  What BULL!!  They refuse to come out and take the sick ones away.  Only after they die and I move them to the public street will they come pick it up.  If it's dead and on my property, they tell me it's my problem. 

Here's a vid of a fox and the sound it makes.  Imagine a few of those at 2am outside the bedroom with the window open.  I'm used to it now, but wow!!  No wonder the dogs don't like 'em. 



Rant off....

Some people feel the same about geese......

I love geese.  They are delicious!
Maybe fox are too?