Wildturkey 2
Active Member
Anyone seeing any gray fox I haven’t seen any for I can’t remember DNR are looking for reports of seeing any or any that have be trapped they just want Data. They also will pay $400 for any that are trapped alive
Gray fox
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Hardwood11
It is going to be a good fall!
Minnesota.
bob-bowhunter
Active Member
I haven't seen them while hunting in Iowa, but I've seen them quite a few times here in Michigan. From what I witnessed, they always seemed to travel in pairs, possibly mating pairs. I also noticed that when they traveled, they were quite vocal always calling back and forth to each other. And yes, they can climb trees. I was hunting one evening, and had a neighbor make a loud noise with something just as one of the gray foxes was walking by my tree stand. It startled and ran halfway up the tree I was in. Cool to see.
My first farm in Michigan was loaded with them.
I've never seen one in Iowa. My hunch is too many coyotes. Coyotes kill Grey fox.
Throwback pic!
I've never seen one in Iowa. My hunch is too many coyotes. Coyotes kill Grey fox.
Throwback pic!
Central Iowa
Life Member
I’ve seen two in IA. One was right below me in a county park hunt. The other from the truck. Both around 15 years ago. None since. Old timer told me he made a small fortune calling them when fur was at its high in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Said they were everywhere and easy to call. I called one in for my son on a TX hunt it’s a gorgeous mount.
Matthewfox_45
Well-Known Member
I found one dead on the road in central Iowa 6 or 7 years ago. It was wide open ground, I always thought they preferred brushy habitat. I have it tanned and on my wall.
Copenhagen Tob
PMA Member
I caught a nice male by accident in a 220 conibear on a coon trail in Dubuque co 30 years ago had him mounted. Ten years later i saw a gray cross the road within a 100 yds of the catch. That's the last sighting I've had around here since. Had an old neighbor when i was a young grass hopper that trapped alot in his younger years he said the fox would alternate every decade 20's all reds, 1930's mostly grays, 40's reds then the late 60's came the coyote then no fox
It’s been 10+ years since I’ve seen any in my area- not that I’m actively looking though. I trapped a den of them and relocated from under my CEOs deck. At the time I was young and dumb- pry relocated them in a terrible area and I’m sure they were killed by yotes as I never saw them again
Wildturkey 2
Active Member
Just talked to a Iowa wildlife biologist he said gray Fox almost gone due to the fur market what it is a more spreading of distemper and gray fox are real susceptible to distemper.
Wildturkey 2
Active Member
I won’t shoot any fox just coyotes
so what's the theory there? No fur market, more coyotes, less fox?
All the red fox I see in Iowa are in town or right next to town. I assume this is because coyotes arnt there.....
Wildturkey 2
Active Member
The theory there is lot more critters running around because of no trapping & less hunting so better chance for the fox to catch distemper lots higher
Daver
PMA Member
I had a gray on on trail cam several times about 8 years ago now, as did a neighbor. I never saw it though, but the pics were clear, it was a gray. Heard of a roadkill south of Douds, IA, in about that same time frame. I think any place where a gray might be and coyote comes along...bye, bye gray. Below is a night pic, I had day time, color pics too, but I can't put my hands on them. Drats!
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Just based on the consensus of comments here the grays were gone WELL before the fur market fell apart 4 -5 years ago!! I’ve been less than impressed with the answers provided by state biologists and this comment further supports that feeling.
Wildturkey 2
Active Member
Well who has the best answers ?
