Hi all I joined this forum with hopes that you could share some wisdom. I read some posts and know that you all are my best chance for some answers. I live in a wooded area that divides suburbia from a valley of horse farms in Maryland. I have been watching foxes now since 1988 mildly at first, but now with more interest.

I was told, by someone from the county wildlife office, that when foxes scream at my cats they are just immature foxes that are confused during mating season. Obviously to you and now to me that is very incorrect. They scream at my cats through all seasons and these two particluar foxes I know well. Could I pick them out of a line-up? Probably not, but I know my foxes.

I call these two mine but of course they are not, but we share the same 3 acres (but for them I know there is more). I used to think they came to my property. But, I watch these foxes mark the perimeter, they are not just visiting. This is home. Which is fine, except...here is the problem and why I joined the forum.

They scream at my cat which I bring in at night, but sometimes that alone isn't easy to do. They scream at the 2 feral cats I feed that I am not bringing in. I do not think they will harm the cats. It's been over 10 years with no bloodshed. But that scream at 4:00 in the morning is startling. And for everyone's info my foxes are out and about during the day. They sit under the shade trees and watch the traffic go by. My foxes are not afraid of me and I would like to know what to do to chase them away when they are screaming?

Do you think a bb gun - not aiming at the foxes -- just nearby would give them a scare? My terriers scare them, but at 4:00 am that is too much action. Please help. If I don't scare them perhaps they thinks I am just part of their territory. Suggestions please --- Sharona

Watching foxes for twenty years... you're lucky that the foxes have taken kindly to your home.

Anyway, two of our members would be the experts on this situation, SittingFox and Words, and you could also visit their sites.

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and

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have excellent FAQ's and other fox information that could help.

It's been years since I've been able to shoot my own BB gun, but from what I remember, they aren't all that loud. But a paintball gun does make quite a bit of noise, and doesn't require ammunition to be shot... only some CO2. This could be loud enough to scare silent the foxes, but I have only heard a paintball gun shot inside a building, or enclosed yard.

On a side note, I might eventually move this thread to one of the Fox catagories so it gains more attention.

Thanks for the reply white fox and thanks for moving my post where it will get more help.

Sharon

That's lucky to have foxes living on that land for so long. It's always fun to read stories about fox encounters

Really? I had no idea that they would leave. I have come to believe that they will just always live here. We are a partly rural area but with a lot of nearby housing developments. Since my property backs up to woods I suppose it is a refuge for all the wildlife that had more space to live previously.

Do you think that because of development that the natural instinct to leave has been replaced with a need to stay?

Well, with the enviroment that your house borders, then it'd be pretty common to see wildlife but there are many members of this board who aren't lucky enough to have seen a fox in the wild.

As for a fox's natural instinct changing. . . Well, they are extremely adaptable creatures, even when they're introduced to new areas (like Australlia). I just think they're adapting rather than their instinct changing.

That is a good point. I really did use the wrong word with instinct. Adapting is a much better word. I suppose I thought that members of this group would get to see foxes and wildlife frequently. Guess now I feel honored and I have a different perspective.

I certainly hope you get your chance to see your foxes. I have mostly seen the red ones. I have seen one that looks a sandier brown, but mostly beautiful red foxes. Never white.

I've seen a fox or two, myself, but I certainly wouldn't consider myself an expert on them. I can't think of any way to keep them away, so enjoying them as much as possible would seem to be the best option.

I've been reading up on the fox in Japanese folklore, ie. the Kitsune. I suppose it's because they are such elusive creatures, but foxes are regarded as magical spirits, often with a wide range of special powers, commonly including shapeshifting or sometimes even possesing human bodies.

Stories about the kitsune vary on thier portrayal; kitsune (literally 'fox' in japanese) can range from the mischevious or even sometimes malevolent, to honorable, benevolent protectors and guardian spirits. Here's a quote I liked from the Wikipedia article:

Quote:

Kitsune keep their promises and strive to repay any favor. Occasionally a kitsune attaches itself to a person or household, where they can cause all sorts of mischief. In one story from the 12th century, only the homeowner's threat to exterminate the foxes convinces them to behave. The kitsune patriarch appears in the man's dreams: "My father lived here before me, sir, and by now I have many children and grandchildren. They get into a lot of mischief, I'm afraid, and I'm always after them to stop, but they never listen. And now, sir, you're understandably fed up with us. I gather that you're going to kill us all. But I just want you to know, sir, how sorry I am that this is our last night of life. Won't you pardon us, one more time? If we ever make trouble again, then of course you must act as you think best. But the young ones, sir — I'm sure they'll understand when I explain to them why you're so upset. We'll do everything we can to protect you from now on, if only you'll forgive us, and we'll be sure to let you know when anything good is going to happen!"[51]

In general, it seems, if the kitsune is respected, they reward thier host, with gifts such as protection, knowledge, long life, and the likes.

Now all that is just folklore and fairytales, of course. But perhaps it is a good omen that you have foxes living so close to you, Sharona. It is certainly something to be proud of. Not everyone gets to observe them as closely as you do.

As for me, I nowadays just see foxes in my dreams.