The gray fox lives in a wide variety of habitats but prefers areas with lots of brush or woods.
Different than the red fox, the gray fox can climb trees and will frequently hunt for food or rest in a tree. 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.
A Gray fox will respond to a number of distress sounds such as cottontail rabbit, mouse squeaks and gray fox pup distress.
Unlike a red fox, gray fox are known for aggressively responding to a distress call. A gray fox will often charge in within a few minutes of calling without any signs of concern. This doesn’t mean that their senses aren’t as keen as other predators such as coyotes. You can still spook them off if they get your scent or detect noise or movement. 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. Camouflage is also a good idea although it’s usually movement that will give you away. Don’t forget about the wind and take that into consideration with your set up. Maybe their nose isn’t as sensitive as a coyotes, or doesn’t seem to be, they will turn and run if they catch your scent.
Relatively high volume distress sounds seem to result in quick responses. 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.