How to Catch a Fox in a Cage Trap
When there are too many foxes in an area, they can hurt native vegetation and cause problems in agricultural fields. They also can hurt waterfowl populations because they prey on the eggs that hen ducks lay in nests. Sometimes, they can even kill the hen. If foxes find food in a yard, they can develop a habit of going back there. This can cause homeowners to worry about the animal biting a child. A good way to control foxes is to trap them in a cage. Then they can be moved elsewhere or killed.
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Instructions
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Select a large cage trap. It should have dimensions of at least 900 millimeters by 450 millimeters by 450 millimeters. In inches, that would be 40 by 20 by 20. Also, choose one with mesh smaller than 50 millimeters.
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Locate an area with fox activity. Look for footprints and well-defined trails. If foxes are coming into your yard, try to determine where they are accessing your yard. Foxes will dig holes under fences, so if you find such a place, there is a good chance a fox made it.
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Place the trap in the area you want to catch the fox. Open the door, but do not set the trap mechanism for a few days. Foxes are extremely shy and wary, so you need for them to feel the trap is not a danger to them. Place bait around the trap, moving it closer to the trap each night. After two or three nights, place the bait just inside the trap, so the animal will feel comfortable going inside. Good baits for foxes include chicken and rabbit meat. Honey is good, too.
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Place dirt on the bottom of the trap. Foxes may be scared off by walking on metal.
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Set the trap the night after the fox has grabbed the food from inside of it. Place the bait in the far back of the trap, so that when the animal goes for it, the trap door closes and traps the animal inside.
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Check the trap right away in the morning. If you caught a non-target animal, like a cat or dog, release it. If you caught a fox and it is safe to shoot it at the capture site, do so. If you need to move it to a safer place to euthanize it, wear thick leather gloves when grabbing the trap.
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