State weighs fox trapping, hunting

STATE wildlife officials are proposing new rules to legalize hunting and trapping of red foxes and nearly double the trapping days for bobcats to satisfy farmers and hunters.

But environmental advocates charge that the California Department of Fish and Game plan imperils other species and kowtows to a handful of recreational trappers.

There are two types of red fox in California. One is the Sierra Nevada fox, a protected species; the other is nonnative.

It is illegal to sport hunt or trap either species in California, but Fish and Game officials say they want to change the rules because hunters and farmers are complaining.

“Landowners say poultry and pheasants are getting eaten by red foxes,” state biologist Jesse Garcia said.

State officials say they can limit where foxes can be hunted to ensure that the protected species is not killed.

But animal-rights groups say the rules are inhumane and will result in deaths of other animals.

“The use of traps, bows and arrows and hunting hounds is not the way to resolve this,” said Camille Fox of the Animal Protection Institute. “Right now the law allows the use of padded leg traps or guns if a fox is perceived to be a threat to an endangered bird. The only reason for this proposal is to appease people who like to hunt.”

A public hearing before the Fish and Game Commission is scheduled Aug. 27.

-- Charles Duhigg