Binoculars

The gray fox lives in a wide variety of habitats but prefers areas with lots of brush or woods.

Unlike other foxes a red fox can easily climb trees and will hunt for food and rest in trees. It makes its den in rocky crevices, caves, hollow logs, trees and brush piles. It will sometimes broaden a woodchuck burrow and use it as a den. Dens are usually used only during the mating season and when raising young.

Cottontail rabbit distress sounds, mouse an vole squeaks and gray fox pup distress sounds will cause them to respond.

Unlike a red fox, gray fox are known for aggressively responding to a distress call. Without fear or caution, a gray fox will rush in within those first few minutes of calling.  This doesn’t mean that their senses aren’t as keen as other predators such as coyotes. A gray fox will still spook if they detect any movement or strange sounds. They’ll disappear as fast as they came in.

Wooded areas that border small grassy fields are some of the best places to hunt. You’ll want to sit about 30 to 40 yards away from the tree line. Like calling other predators, you’ll want to hide your silhouette by sitting up against a tree, hillside or tucked into some tall weeds. Movement is what will catch a predator's eyes but camouflage is important. Don’t forget about the wind and take that into consideration with your set up. Even though their sense of smell does not seem to be as keen as a coyote they will turn a run if they detect human scent.

Producing a distress sound at a high volume usually results in a fast response from the fox. It doesn’t seem to matter if you blow the distress call in a sequence or continuously. Both techniques seem to work on a gray fox.  If nothing responds in the first 10 minutes it usually means that no grays are present and it’s time to move to a new location.

Gray fox are not large animals and smaller caliber guns starting with a 22 mag or a 12 gage shotgun using #4 shells are popular choices. A turkey load using #4 shot will work.  A 22 mag is a good choice out to about 100 yards while the shotgun is a very good choice out to about 30 yards.

Just like hunting coyotes, bobcats and all other predators, the gray fox will challenge your hunting skills and provide some adrenaline filled fast paced predator calling excitement.