Over the past few decades gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) numbers have been declining across the Midwest with no direct identifiable cause. Back in the mid-1970s trappers were harvesting anywhere from 9,000 – 10,000 gray foxes annually in Illinois. Fast forward a decade later, and those numbers fell by 50% for gray fox while red fox harvest numbers remained relatively constant. Now, during the 2015 – 2019 trapping seasons, less than 40 gray foxes were harvested by trappers.
Our previous research, completed in 2010, placed camera traps throughout the 16 southernmost counties in southern Illinois. We measured habitat variables at camera sites to assess habitat attributes associated with gray foxes and mapped their habitat within those respective counties. This research indicated declining numbers of gray foxes, which supports what biologists have observed. Gray foxes used habitats associated with anthropogenic features as well as forested areas. Attraction to human development could be caused by the associated presence of easy food sources and habitat beneficial to raising young, or a decrease in interactions with competitors such as coyotes. The results of our prior research provided a map of gray fox distribution throughout Southern Illinois.
Phase I of this research includes setting up camera traps throughout southern Illinois to assess gray fox distribution and habitat associations. This study will test the validity of these maps 10 years later. We are especially interested in rates at which gray fox are colonizing new areas and abandoning others, while keeping an eye on interactions with potential competitors such as coyotes. Understanding the changing distribution of gray fox throughout Illinois will help in the development of accurate and effective management plans aimed at protecting this species.
This work will help focus Phase II of our project which involves capturing gray foxes, placing GPS tracking collars on them, and studying their movements, home ranges, and survival. Having updated maps of gray fox presence will certainly help us determine places to capture gray foxes by focusing on potential study areas within Illinois having the most likely gray fox habitat. This project will begin in Fall 2022 and we are seeking information from the Illinois public to help in our efforts for both Phase I and Phase II.
We are seeking any information you may have on gray fox in Illinois. We have established a form below where you can find out more about our project and send in information on sightings of gray foxes, either alive or dead. Live gray foxes may be directly observed in your yard, crossing a road, from a deer stand, from a game camera, or from animals captured during the legal fur harvest season. Dead gray foxes may be seen as roadkill. Having GPS locations of these events is important to both our Phase I and II research, and we thank you in advance for your efforts in helping us understand gray fox status!
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Updated: 9-21-2021