So this little guy has been trying to get to our hens for weeks. In fact, last weekend (using a spotlight) we witnessed it attacking a neighbors cat in the wood-line near our house.
I had tried live-trapping it for the past few weeks but he always manages to get to my secret recipe bait without getting caught in the cage.
Tonight, he was at the hens again so we discussed it and came to terms... That is, I shot him.
Unfortunate really, they are truly beautiful animals.
In case it ever comes up, here is the how MO DNR covers nuisance animals and protecting property in the state regulations:
3 CSR 10-4.130 Owner May Protect Property; Public Safety
http://www.sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/3csr/3c10-4.pdf
A big nod goes to the Boone county Missouri DNR conservation agent, I have worked with him a couple of times now and he has always been super-nice, very helpful and provided solid info.
More red fox information:
http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/red-fox
Not to be confused with the hilarious Red Foxx I grew up watching on Sanford and Sons:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redd_Foxx
And finally, a little info on the Remington Nylon 66, one of my all-time favorite rifles and as fine a varmint gun one could expect straight-off-the-shelf with no mods.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remington_Nylon_66
