September, 1943 Brown & YEAGER: 
cate a slight increase in the gray fox pop- 
ulation in 1939-40 over that of the pre- 
ceding year; thus, this species was the 
only one to show an increase during the 
period covered by the study. In the River 
Bluffs and Bottoms, gray foxes appear to 
be more numerous than red foxes and in 
favored localities may show a ratio of two 
to one over the reds. In the regions from 
which catches were recorded, the gray fox 
showed an average catch for the survey 
period of about 0.26 pelt per square mile 
as compared with slightly less than 0.16 
for the red fox, but for the state as a 
whole the red fox catch was approximate- 
ly twice as heavy, being almost 0.16 per 
square mile compared with about 0.08 per 
square mile for the gray fox, tables 13 
and 14. 
In the Northwest Hills and River 
Bluffs and Bottoms regions, the only two 
in which the gray fox was plentiful, there 
was comparatively little variation in the 
population as indicated solely by catch in 
the two survey seasons. Red fox catches 
in four regions indicated great differences 
in numbers between the two seasons, table 
13. It may be that the gray fox is less 
cyclic, but on the basis of data at hand 
such a statement represents little more 
than speculation. Higher fur prices would 
undoubtedly have resulted in larger catch- 
es, and for this reason it is impossible to 
estimate population on catch alone. It is 
certain that the gray fox occurs over a 
larger area and in greater numbers than 
indicated by survey data. 
Habitats—The gray fox range in IlIli- 
nois is not decreasing as rapidly as former- 
ly, because of the fact that many brush 
areas, refuges and forest preserves now 
occupy lands once farmed or subject to 
lumbering operations. The best gray fox 
habitat in Illinois is in the River Bluffs 
and Bottoms Region, which is character- 
ized by heavy timber stands, underbrush, 
rock outcrops and deep, shady ravines, 
fig. 26. The Northwest Hills and the 
Northwestern Sand Prairie offer. similar 
habitats. The Glacial Lakes Region is 
more parklike and lacks rock outcrops. 
Why no gray foxes were reported in the 
catch from the comparatively well-wood- 
ed Gray Prairie Region is not known. 
Distribution of the gray fox, as indicated 
by the survey, is principally over the north- 
ern half of the state, except for the River 
SURVEY OF Fur ReEsouRCE 
487 
Bluffs and Bottoms Region. This fox, to 
a greater degree than the red fox, is intol- 
erant of man and cultivation. 
Food for the gray fox in all its habitats 
is probably ample, consisting of rabbits, 
mice, birds, insects and fruits. The per- 
simmon is said to be important in regions 
where it occurs. 
Trapping and Hunting.— Over 
three-fourths of the Illinois gray foxes 
were taken by trappers and less than one- 
fourth by hunters in the years of the sur- 
vey. There is little deliberate attempt in 
this state to take them in traps; most are 
incidentally captured in sets made for red 
foxes, skunks and other land species. Trap- 
pers specifically trying for them employ 
methods similar to those used for the red 
fox. 
Gray fox hunting offers little of the ex- 
citement characteristic of red fox hunt- 
ing. Chases seldom last more than 30 min- 
utes and often not long enough to allow 
the hunter to make a stand. Gray foxes 
are sometimes treed in bushy or inclined 
trees, from which they are easily shot. 
Management. — Suggestions — given 
under this heading for the red fox are 
generally suitable for the gray fox. 
Badger 
Badgers occurred in low numbers over 
the Northwest Hills and the Northwest- 
ern Sand Prairie Regions in 1938-39 and 
1939-40. Probably at no point in the state 
could they be considered common. A\l- 
though the Illinois game codes of 1937 
and 1939 appear to have provided full 
protection for badgers, a common inter- 
pretation of the statutes was such that 
these animals were hunted and trapped 
through at least the season of 1938-39. 
‘The survey indicated that 116 were taken 
in 1938-39, but only 8 in 1939-40. Al- 
though these data are not considered re- 
liable, the reduction in 1939-40 suggests 
that the correct interpretation of the law, 
and an appreciable measure of protection, 
began about this time. he game code 
put into effect in 1941 clarified the pro- 
vision that accorded to badgers a year- 
around closed season. 
The low price of badger fur, averaging 
only about 75 cents per pelt for several 
years prior to 1941, restricted the catch, 
and probably was important in prevent- 
