CAPTURING FOXES 5 



The fur of the gray fox h;is only about a fifth of the value of that 

 of the red fox, and the pell of the kit fox about half the value of that of 

 the gray, being coarser, shaggy, and with the underfur less thick 

 and soft. 



METHODS OF CAPTURE 



Foxes may be taken by trapping, by sportsmen coursing with dogs, 

 by locatingthe dens and destroying the pups, and by shooting. Sports- 

 men derive much sport from coursing the red fox with dogs. The 

 gray fox generally does not abide the chase long, but will climb a 

 convenient tree or crawl into a hollow log or burrow. The kit fox 

 offers little sport through chasing by dogs. 



TRAPPING 



TRAPS AND THEIR CARE 



The No. 2 coil-spring steel trap (fig. 2) and the No. 2 double-spring 

 steel trap, shown in figure 5, are of convenient size and type for use 



Figure 2. — A No. 2 coil-spring steel trap open ready to set. The springs are in the base of 

 the trap. One coil can be seen in one corner of the trap. The trap has a chain of 

 convenient length which can be attached to a swivel link fastened to a stake. 



in trapping foxes. The size 3 double-spring steel trap can be employed 

 though it is larger than necessary. These traps are provided with a 

 short chain which can be fastened to a stake about 18 inches long driven 

 into the ground, or to a suitable drag. It is usually better to use a 

 stake to save time looking for the trapped animal. 



As foxes, particularly red foxes, are keen-scented and cautious, both 

 new and old traps that may have odors repellent to the animals, such 

 as oils and gasoline fumes, should be boiled for half an hour or more 

 with twigs of spruce, fir, hemlock, birch, sagebrush, sassafras, or other 

 scented growths. 



