Predators 221 



In Wisconsin the gray is now clearly confined to the driftless area and upper 

 Mississippi types, both of which are characterized by limestone bluffs suitable for 

 denning. In Iowa and Minnesota the distribution further suggests the im- 

 portance of limestone ledges. 



The former distribution of grays in Missouri is unknown, but was ap- 

 parently nearly Statewide. (This, like the original distribution of reds, could be 

 readily determined by compiling the recollections of the older generation of fox 

 hunters.) The original distribution in Wisconsin is known to have included the 

 limestone bluffs of Kewaunee County on Lake Michigan. 



One of the most interesting facts gathered during the survey is the re- 

 appearance of gray foxes in Ripley County, Missouri, in 1918, and in Callaway 

 County in 1918. A similar reappearance took place in Sauk County, Wisconsin, 

 in 1925. These three reappearances are based on the best possible authority, 

 namely: for Ripley County, Andrew Brooks, a fox hunter and very conservative 

 observer; for Callaway County, Senator Nicolas Cave, an experienced fox hunter; 

 and for Sauk County, Ed. Ochsener, a fur dealer and taxidermist trained in 

 natural history observations and long associated with H. L. Stoddard in such 

 work. In each case the usual shrinkage of grays in favor of reds had previously 

 taken place. In Ripley County, Missouri, the grays, after reappearing, have 

 since disappeared. 



Table 49 gives the known dates of the first appearance of red foxes, and the 

 dates by which they predominated. 



Foxless Areas. Foxless or nearly foxless areas now exist as follows: 



Location Numper of counties Type 



Western Missouri 2 Prairie 



Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio 3 Till plain 



Southeast Wisconsin 11+ Till plain 



Michigan 25 Till plain and forest 



Southwest Minnesota ? Prairie 



The reality of the foxless condition in Wisconsin is attested by the bounty 

 records, not to exceed two fox bounties having been claimed in 1928 from most 

 of the designated counties. The boundaries of the foxless area are only ap- 

 proximate. It may extend farther south. 



The foxless area in Michigan is not necessarily comparable to the others, 

 nor are its exact boundaries known, hence it is not shown on the map. The in- 

 formation was obtained from Dr. Ned Dearborn, who says (letter Oct. 1, 1930) : 



"The gray fox has practically disappeared from the state . . . The red 

 fox has become scarce, rare, or altogether lacking in fully two-thirds of the lower 

 peninsula . . . and in nearly all of the upper peninsula . . . excepting 

 a narrow strip along the Wisconsin River." 



It was not determined whether the foxless condition of any of these now 

 foxless areas is recent or permanent. 



