Movements and Daily Activities of Fox as Determined by Visual Observations and Radio Tracking

Movements and daily activities of the red fox (Vulpes fulva) were studied by visual observation and radio tracking in Buena Vista County, Iowa. Five fox were trapped with steel jump traps. Before release, three of the trapped fox were immobilized with a commercial tranquilizer to enable attachment of an ear tag and a collar-type transmitter on each fox. Range of the radio equipment when field tested showed an effective range of just under one fourth mile. The diameter of the loop antenna on the receiver was critical, and probably indirectly contributed to the death of one fox. Two juvenile fox, thought to be from the same litter, showed little or no contact with each other. The fox usually traveled in cover during the day, but at night they frequently crossed open fields. Resting and sleeping periods, times of procurement of food and water, and a natural boundary were also observed