Is this a fox den?

[Jstpssng]

We have lots of groundhogs making a mess tunneling under buildings. I lived in the country all my life...just wanted opinions. I've seen lots of wildlife, I don't hunt...never hunted.
I've had coyote move in which decimate other animals. I understand the balance of nature but when I see rabbits, quail killed I'll shoot/snare the coyote. We have fox, they're OK, mountain lion, bear, bobcat, raccoon, etc.
Opossums I lived trap.

My father had a lifelong war with woodchucks. When they moved the city limits he had to resort to live trapping and releasing them to become somebody else's problem. When he passed away I told my mother that she wasn't keeping a garden and they weren't really hurting anything, so as far as I was concerned we should leave them alone.
That was 5 years ago, and boy have they taken over the place. Yet I was just talking to her and she still agrees, they aren't hurting anything. She mentioned that they couldn't do much anyways, except to live trap them. I told her that if I was around I more I could... but they wouldn't be released alive. Did I mention what a nice trap the 1 3/4 Victor is? The truth is though that they aren't hurting anything much, and when she's done with the property the woodchucks will be somebody else's property.

 

[MossRoad]

We used to have lots of turkeys, quail, rabbits, etc. but rarely anymore. I set hunter cameras and know we have coyote. After getting horses we haven't seen coyote.
Near the creek I saw this hole dug about 10" across, large dead rabbit near entrance (stomach missing), a couple hours later apparently ate rest of rabbit.
Neighbor has chickens and one near our mailbox killed. I see turkey feathers near den.
We set a snare a couple days ago, this morning apparently got it by foot but it got loose (snare cable has a stop on it).
Any idea?View attachment 742994View attachment 742995View attachment 742996

The problem with declining populations of quail in VA has been documented to be mainly due to habitat loss.

 

[Thomas]

Place game gam near entrance.

Some of foxes around us.

 

[oosik]

Only coyotes here and they are doing a good job on rodent control.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

Haven't seen a mole in a while.

I wish I could say that, overrun with them.

 

[Fuddy1952]

The problem with declining populations of quail in VA has been documented to be mainly due to habitat loss.

I have a long brush pile where a pasture drops off to a steep bank into woods. I planted bushes there also. That's when I started seeing return of rabbits, etc until whatever this predator is that I need to get rid of.

 

[MossRoad]

I have a long brush pile where a pasture drops off to a steep bank into woods. I planted bushes there also. That's when I started seeing return of rabbits, etc until whatever this predator is that I need to get rid of.

That's your business. Personally, I'd rather have foxes than rabbits. I battle rabbits every year in my garden. They ate half of my tulips as soon as they came up this year. There's a balance in nature. When there's too many rabbits and ground nesting birds, there will be a bump in predators like foxes and coyotes, hawks, owls, etc... as the prey drops, the number of predators drops. It swings back and forth in balance as long as people stay out of it.

When people feed birds and then shoot squirrels that come to the bird feeder, I just shake my head.

 

[Bill Guenthner]

I have a long brush pile where a pasture drops off to a steep bank into woods. I planted bushes there also. That's when I started seeing return of rabbits, etc until whatever this predator is that I need to get rid of.

One "predator" isn't going to cause you to not have rabbits.

Rabbits: How to Manage Your Land for More Cottontails - Game & Fish

As habitat improvements accumulate, the future for rabbits (and rabbit hunting) and other wildlife will brighten.

www.gameandfishmag.com

 

[MossRoad]

Waskily Wabbits.... grrrr!!!

 

[Bill Guenthner]

That's your business. Personally, I'd rather have foxes than rabbits. I battle rabbits every year in my garden. They ate half of my tulips as soon as they came up this year. There's a balance in nature. When there's too many rabbits and ground nesting birds, there will be a bump in predators like foxes and coyotes, hawks, owls, etc... as the prey drops, the number of predators drops. It swings back and forth in balance as long as people stay out of it.

When people feed birds and then shoot squirrels that come to the bird feeder, I just shake my head.

Yep. We have plenty of song birds, squirrel, turkey, rabbits, and coyotes, hawks and owls. I put out black oil sunflower and peanuts in the shell (unsalted). The blue jays and woodpeckers battle over the peanuts, the squirrels eat as much of the sunflower as the birds do, but everybody gets something. I only put it out in the morning but it's an open buffet. The turkeys try to eat me out of house and home.