Fox Cage Trap

Live trapping of fox with a cage trap. Placement, baiting, and inspection.

A fox cage trap is a large cage trap designed to catch fox alive. The method is used to regulate the fox population in areas where foxes take lambs, reindeer, or ground-nesting birds.

A typical fox cage trap is a sturdy construction of wood or metal, usually 1.5 to 2 meters long, with a drop door triggered by a stepping mechanism or bait trigger inside the cage. The fox is lured in by bait and is caught when the door drops behind it.

Placement determines success. The fox cage should be set where foxes travel regularly: along trails, on known migration routes, near dens, or at bait sites. Pre-baiting (putting out bait without setting the trap) for a few days before trapping begins greatly increases the chances.

Bait for fox cages can be slaughter waste, fish scraps, dog food, or commercial fox bait. The fox is curious and omnivorous, but also cautious. A cage that smells strongly of humans or foreign materials may scare the fox away. Let the cage stand outside for a while before putting it into operation.

The inspection requirement is daily. A fox in a cage is stressed, and long waiting times are unacceptable. Electronic notification (SMS alert upon triggering) makes inspection easier and ensures quick response.

Dispatching of a fox caught in a cage must be done quickly and humanely. In most countries, dispatching must be done with a firearm, and the animal must be killed as soon as possible after the catch is discovered.

The fox cage trap is especially useful near residential areas or grazing land where other hunting methods are impractical or prohibited. Many sheep farmers use fox cages as part of preventive measures against lamb losses.

Regulations vary between countries and regions. In Norway, use is regulated through trapping regulations, and a hunting license and often the landowner's permission are required. Always check local regulations.