Unique Encounter

[cameron1976]

This morning while checking traps I had a pretty unique encounter. It was early and I was checking a couple of canine sets in a field. While applying lure to freshen a dirthole after yesterday's rain I looked up to see a red fox come trotting up towards me in the beam of my headlight. He got to within about 10 to 15 feet of me and just stopped and watched me. I watched him for a bit as well, and finally finished re-luring the set. He moved around a bit, but didn't act the least bit afraid. Anyway I finally got up and moved towards my other dirthole about 15 yards away. The fox stayed near me and once I got to the other set, approached the one I had just left and began working it. Approaching from the side of the set, he sniffed the hole, did a very quick shoulder rub, and gave the set a shot of urine. I actually was thinking I was going to witness him being caught, but no such luck. After satisfying his curiosity, he moved on, again passing within about 20 yards or so of me as he trotted off into the field. I have to admit I was a bit stunned at what just happened. Oh and I can't lie, my ego was a little bruised from having failed to catch him. 

Personally I thought it was pretty neat watching him work the set. I know many people have trail camera footage of fox working sets, but there is something to be said for watching it live. I was also surprised at his boldness and how little fear he exhibited in my presence. 

[musher]

Wow!

Good lure to make him so bold. But trap placement can be a puzzle.

Was a shoulder rub wanted? Was the remake a dirthole or a walk through?

It will be back and I hope you get him.

Wish I had seen that - without the missing the fox part!

[cameron1976]

It was a standard dirthole.

No I didn't necessarily want the shoulder rub. It was a very brief rub though. A simple drop of the shoulder, a quick rubbing swipe and done. It wasn't at all like a pet dog rubbing/rolling something where they often vigorously rub with their shoulder and back.

[bblwi]

Very neat experience for sure and may be helpful in trap placement for future sets.

I once pulled up near a set, about 50 yards away and there was a fox at my set. I figured I had caught a red and started walking toward the fox with my remake kit and dispatch stick. About half way there I could see the fox digging around the hole but I saw no trap. The fox looked up and darted off. I went up to the set and the trap was still set and the fox had worked heavily on both sides of the hole but barely any in the front. Two days later I caught a different fox at the set. This one was very old and had one front leg totally missing from the shoulder down.

Thank you for sharing.

Bryce