Caught in the act!

[GunnyGene]

Proof positive! Caught the rascal on camera stealing my blueberries about 20 minutes ago. Ah, well, I reckon I can spare few. ;)

 

[hittman]

Where’s Cholo and his slingshot when you need him??

:)

 

[Pat-inCO]

Where’s Cholo and his slingshot when you need him?

You beat me to it. ;-)

 

[Cholo]

I was outside ringing that pan with the clay balls when Gunny posted this. No way I'd smack a fox. They can do whatever they want in my yard. Cool pics!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

I was outside ringing that pan with the clay balls when Gunny posted this. No way I'd smack a fox. They can do whatever they want in my yard. Cool pics!

You obviously don't raise chickens. :p

 

[Chief 101]

If you raise your own food raise enough for the wildlife too...

 

[Cholo]

No chickens, but they do thin out the squirrels I don't. 2 months ago. Rats, the video was too long. Here's a pic thru the blinds.

 

[GunnyGene]

My spot is kind of an unofficial wildlife refuge, but this is the first fox I've seen up close in several years. A few years back I had a vixen with 3 or 4 kits that would hang out in the front yard while the kits chased each other all over the yard. Same with deer except they'll show up every year with fawns in tow. And dozens of other critters of course - some I could do without. I feel a little sorry for the city folks that don't get to enjoy nature like those of us who are a part of it every day. :) No doubt they feel sorry for us not living with exciting city life. Been there, done that. And left as soon as I could.

 

[KMLMBA]

My bride feeds ferrel cats in our patch of heaven. (6 wooded acres.) WE HAVE A RING DOORBELL SO WE GET TO SEE WHO EATS ON THE PORCH.

We have seen a fox, two opossums and a stray dog or two...as well as a few cats.

There are a few hisses now and then, but everyone apparently likes Blue Buffalo and Meow Mix Cat food.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Gunny, thanks for posting those.

 

[Jeepnik]

My spot is kind of an unofficial wildlife refuge, but this is the first fox I've seen up close in several years. A few years back I had a vixen with 3 or 4 kits that would hang out in the front yard while the kits chased each other all over the yard. Same with deer except they'll show up every year with fawns in tow. And dozens of other critters of course - some I could do without. I feel a little sorry for the city folks that don't get to enjoy nature like those of us who are a part of it every day. :) No doubt they feel sorry for us not living with exciting city life. Been there, done that. And left as soon as I could.

Don’t be. I get nightly visits from coon, possum, skunks, jacks, coyotes, foxes (we have a fairly robust population) and owls. Every now and the ferret passes through.

I also get rattlesnakes from time to time. But those are usually down in the canyon. They make brush clearance an interesting endeavor.

 

[contender]

I have a job because of the critters around AND in homes.

I often tell people to get a game camera, set it up, & prepare to be surprised at the amount of roaming wildlife they will see.

BUT,, feeding any wildlife, very close to a house,, can lead to many problems. It's why I can afford to buy Rugers.

Feed close to your home.
Animals get used to free food.
Animals look for cover & shelter to eat the food.
Animals get pregnant, need a home to raise babies.
They move into your home, due to nice dry, warm & secure places they find. Free easy to get to feed, and they are in heaven.

I tell folks;
Bird feeders,, do not attach to your house. Place close to the woodline or brush far enough away so as to allow the animals to use the brush & such as cover & shelter.
Cat food or dog food dishes. Do not leave food in these things after your pet has enjoyed their meal. Wildlife can & will find it,, and decide it's "theirs."

But things like the blueberry bushes, or other such stuff,, are seasonal. Not as big a problem as the man made issues.

 

[Snake Pleskin]

Unless the animal is rabid, it gets a free pass from me every time. They have a hard enough time surviving these days with out me making it worse. (IMHO)

 

[Jon406]

They'll come in, and actually wait for a treat.

 

[mistermills357]

That fox has good taste.

 

[Ride1949]

They'll come in, and actually wait for a treat.

View attachment 3637

Great photo.

 

[xtratoy]

We also have a menagerie of random animals that pass through our front and back yard. It is entertaining to watch them pass through in the evening hours.

 

[honey#1]

If you raise your own food raise enough for the wildlife too...

Between bob cat,coyote,wild hogs,fox,hawks coons skunks hard to do.

 

[AJGUNNER]

Our black lab used to love to eat blueberries off the bushes like that fox. She seemed to be extra gently and would pick them with her lips instead of teeth. Even when some were on the ground, she preferred them fresh off the bushes.

 

[Thanatos]

saving it for later i suppose.

 

[contender]

"Unless the animal is rabid, it gets a free pass from me every time."

There is no way to confirm rabies w/o actual brain tissue testing.

Yes,, there are signs an animal may be sick or whatever,, and deserves a clean mercy killing.
But rabies can be in an animals system, be dormant, yet still transferable.

All that said,, it's ALWAYS fun to watch wildlife, doing their thing. Even when it's killing another creature for it's food.
It's just sometimes,, the food may be Fido or Fluffy!

 

[bookemdano]

Here's a pic of a family; the male and female and one nearly grown kit. The 2nd
kit wouldn't cooperate and get into the frame. We put out a cheap dog & cat
food mix to feed them and encourage them to hunt close to the homestead.
Keeps the garden destroying rodent population in check and provides us with
cheap entertainment.
Dano

 

[Shamus2022]

Our black lab used to love to eat blueberries off the bushes like that fox. She seemed to be extra gently and would pick them with her lips instead of teeth. Even when some were on the ground, she preferred them fresh off the bushes.

My Golden used to pick BLACKBERRIES that way... never seemed to get in trouble with it but, he went slow and careful. Miss him.

 

[whymhot]

Nothing a 22.r can't fix.

 

[gramps]

Most animals get a pass on my farm. Armadillos and coyotes are non native and will always meet lead. Squirrels have been thinned last year since they were getting under my metal roof. This year I cut back the overhanging branches. They aren’t amused—-tough! Lol
gramps