Home Range, Home Range Expansion, Dispersal, and Mortality of Juvenile Red Foxes in Southeastern South Dakota

Data from aerial and landowner surveys showed that red fox (Vulpes vulpes) families on the Sinai study area decreased from 13 (5.2 per township) in 1976 to 11 (4.4 per township) in 1977. The majority (88%) of the active red fox dens was located in pastures and idle lands although these cover types constituted only 24% of the available cover. Twenty-nine juveniles and 3 adults were captured and marked during spring, 1976. Trappers and hunters returned 62% of the tags placed on juvenile foxes. During spring, 1977, 15 juveniles and 2 adult red foxes were marked. Three juveniles were subsequently reported as harvested. Trapping (81%) and hunting (14%) accounted for 95% of the reported mortality. The pelt of one juvenile was reported by a furbuyer, but no information was provided concerning cause of mortality. Mean distance of dispersal for juvenile males was 59.5 km (range 10.0 - 239.0 km). Mean dispersal distance for juvenile females was 37.6 km (range 18.0 - 54.8 km). Home ranges were determined from 919 locations of 9 red foxes. Mean home range size for adults was 1193 ha (sd ± 438.4 ha), 195 ha (sd ± 29.6 ha) for juvenile males, and 316 ha (sd ± 33.1 ha) for juvenile females