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Sierra Nevada Red Fox Survey

Posted: Fri Jun 11, 2010 1:14 pm
by rlown
Looks like the California DFG is interested in Red Fox sightings, per their page at: http://dfg.ca.gov/regions/1/redfoxsurvey/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They point out the differences between red, gray fox, and coyote. Anyway, given lots of us have trips planned, might want to keep this in mind, take a picture and report sightings.

Re: Sierra Nevada Red Fox Survey

Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 8:00 pm
by hikerduane
Like we have the budget for such things. I see road kill all the time up north, my neighbors put bird seed out for the birds that they like and I hit one six years ago, going to work.:( One of my neighbors had one taken by a Lion off of his deck according to my next door neighbor. Kind of like the rodent surveys the Gov'mt spends money on, another neighbor supervises that. More money us tax payers pony up. Along the same lines, a few years ago while at Purple Lake, I talked with a crew that did surveys on small plots over the West, a few days here and there. They would do a count of how many of what was growing in a small square. Nice bunch of young outdoors people, gave me some directions up to Ram Lake etc. when I was at Purple.

Re: Sierra Nevada Red Fox Survey

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 6:00 pm
by dave54
Sadly, I saw one this morning.

Pulling itself across Hwy 36 with the front paws, just at the top of town hill west of Susanville. It was dragging its limp hind end across the road, apparently recently hit by a vehicle.

Called animal control after I got to work, but I am sure by then it crawled into the brush to slowly die. :(

Re: Sierra Nevada Red Fox Survey

Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:58 pm
by rlown
kind of sad that both responses indicate that they're not "road smart"; no wonder they're endangered. Anyway, if DFG posted it, they actually have the budget and staff on hand to run this (for now). Personal note: I'm not with the DFG, I just like to watch what they do, as it might impact me.

This isn't actually a bad move on the DFG's part. They're not the ones in the field reporting on it; we are. Reduces their costs.

I think this is the same thing that DFG want's us to do with the fishing guide. Report species, etc... After all, given the current budgets, we are the eyes in the field, so to speak.

I'd guess the "rodent surveys" are grant-based, and yes, CA does some fund matching on that. Gotta love research grants. :evil: Ran into a Bear DNA site east of Glen Aulin up on the ridge once. Interesting.. It was a 6x6 foot square of barbed wire with a deer carcass in the middle. Tagged as such, as they seemed to be wanting bear hair for testing. Given Markskor's recent experience in the backpackers camp in the valley, i'm not sure why they set these tests up, or pay researchers to do so.

Anyway, my point for posting the base thread was to alert those who do see a Red Fox to report it. They're not clear about dead, injured or alive. Heck, report it all.

Re: Sierra Nevada Red Fox Survey

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:29 am
by Bad Man From Bodie
I think it’s worth wild for at least someone to keep an inventory of what critters are still roaming the land. As for the federal funding thing, you have to spend that grant money or you won’t get it next year. First rule when working for the government – justify your job.
However, Im with Russ on this one, I don’t think the fox thing is a bad move on DFGs part. There is very little cost associated with this and it will keep a summer intern or two busy. I think they need to do this with porcupine and otters as well. Maybe throw a couple other species in the mix. We need a different species to be concerned about other than the MYLF.

Re: Sierra Nevada Red Fox Survey

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 7:34 pm
by hikerduane
My neighbor and I have a few piles of bear DNA in our yards.:)

Re: Sierra Nevada Red Fox Survey

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:14 pm
by AldeFarte
If cfg had their act together, they would attempt to conduct a census during winter after fresh snow . Red fox leave a distinctive trail unlike any other. Much like cats, or wolverine, etc. You don't even need to positively ID a track ,so to speak. They have a certain habit in their walk. I suspect most red fox in the sierra are migratory ,like most critters in the high country. The snow is too deep to get a steady diet, so most follow the food. Road kill is only a good way to determine their presence. Not a good indication of a census. They naturally gravitate to an area of easy ,or relatively abundant food, such as a highway, where they may become roadkill themselves. Ironically ,a dead fox on the side of the road can be a sign of a healthy population. Any given territory can only sustain a certain population of a critter at one time. Population density over a 365 day period is a finite thing, with variables thrown in to allow for ups and downs.It is unfortunate that california has alienated the cheapest and most accurate animal census experts the world has ever known. The evil trapper. Is the red fox even native to california?

Re: Sierra Nevada Red Fox Survey

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:37 am
by Bad Man From Bodie
Yes the evil trappers. I have a pretty good record from east side trappers (when it was legal to use leg holds in CA) going back at least 80yrs. I dont recal hearing about any red foxes being trapped. Grey foxes, kit foxes, a few cross foxes, and the rare silver fox yes, but no red fox. So, Im not sure if they are native. Guess they could bring a few down from AK, no shortage there ehh?

Re: Sierra Nevada Red Fox Survey

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:53 am
by rlown
Found this little snigglet on Yose's website about the Red Fox:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/t ... ammals.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looks like someone thinks they are CA natives..

Re: Sierra Nevada Red Fox Survey

Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:01 pm
by AldeFarte
Awful suspicious to me that there is scant {if any} evidence of red fox in cal prior to introduction of fox farms in early 1900's? Much like other introduced species like trout, it makes little difference to me at this point. They are here. Enjoy them.