20﻿16 Summer Foxes

2016 Summer Foxes

5/27/2016

This is a fun topic for new and old neighbors. We invite your story by adding a comment.

From our neighbor Mary Gilkison:

"There seems to be a lot more fox activity in GM Estates this year. Our neighbors across the street have a fox den in their yard and we often see the adult foxes coming into our backyard looking for food sources. The foxes don't seem concerned about people and stroll down the street and sidewalks during the day. This afternoon, we found the paw of a small dog in our back yard. It had been freshly removed, though we didn't find any other parts in our yard. It might be a good idea to warn neighbors that keeping their small pets outside during the day may not be safe anymore. If the foxes are comfortable in our neighborhood, the coyotes will soon move in as well."

6 Comments

Dave Murphy

5/27/2016 08:54:53 am

Several years ago we had a den under our shed. After the fox family left, we blocked it off, but we understood that even after 43 years here, the foxes were here first. This year we we have fox kits playing in our yard.

Over the years we have seen the cycles. You may recall only a couple of years ago we received notes, "Were are the foxes, my garden is overrun with rabbits?"

The foxes are back and the rabbits are few. The deer are about average. The rattlers are above average on the mountain. And the coyotes will no doubt come along.

Only newbies risk their cats and small dogs running free. It all part of the Green Mountain Estates experience. We're participants in nature.

For some other info put your cursor on "Our Mountain" and then on "Local Animals".

Kathleen Walek

9/2/2016 01:47:54 am

As a newbie to Green Mountain, what is the risk of having two medium-sized dogs in my backyard during the day? Is the high-season for foxes typically just summer or throughout the year? Have seen a few lovely deer and raccoons while driving, and plenty of bunnies in the front yard, but no foxes. Backyard is completely surrounded by a 6-foot fence, yet would welcome hearing what neighbors' experiences have been.

David Murphy

9/5/2016 04:00:18 pm

I've been here over 40 years and haven't heard of a dog, let alone two, in their yard, being attacked by a fox. Never say never, and the fence isn't a guarantee, but I've only heard of small animals like cats and tiny dogs who ran free never returning. There are occasional eye witnesses to the foxes or coyotes that were to blame. I wonder if anyone has a reasonable repellent that would
further rest your mind?

Kathleen Walek

9/6/2016 10:34:58 am

Thanks Dan!

Christine Therese link

9/6/2016 10:22:42 am

Foxes are able to climb six fences and I have personally seen them walk on top of these fences. Small animals should be kept inside because they are potentially food for foxes and coyotes. These animals have taken pets from front porches in the presence of family members.

My 2 medium size dogs have access to my yard because there is power in numbers.

Kathleen Walek

9/6/2016 10:35:50 am

Thanks Christine!

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

GMCA Blog

The GMCA blog has subjects of general interest that you can contribute your comments to. Scroll down in this column and click "All" to see every initial post.

To read comments simply click on the comments to see all additions.

Scroll down to "Leave a Repy" to add comments to the post and even reply to specific comments.

New subjects (posts) are submitted to the webmaster via the Contact GMCA form on the website.