Unusual Fox

Ruger.220swift

Did anyone here ever see/shoot a Silver fox, Cross fox, black or albino? I missed a silver fox last year while out lamping and shot a cross fox a few weeks back, which is away being stuffed at the moment i will post some pics when i get a chance.

meathstevie

Would they be the descendants of old fur farm escapees or releases ? I thought silver foxes were more of an Arctic and Scandinavian animal. Maybe Peter might enlighten us a bit on their background.

revan23

more wikipedia stuff for yiz -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox

sixpointfive

What is a cross fox??

Neo Researcher

Dont have much time to reply. But ya silver foxes are mutations of the American red fox selectively bred for fur farming. The American red fox is thought to be the same species as the European red fox. Mutations of course can also naturally occur here.

Would be great to see the pictures

Will post more when I get the chance, have to jet to Cork to disect some roadkill pine martens and otters.

Neo Researcher

Cross fox is another colour variant of the red fox. It has a black stripe along its spine and shoulders

Ruger.220swift

The cross fox i shot had black legs, black underbelly, chest and chin, black stripes on his face, black ears and tail with a white spot, and the remainder red with black hairs through the fur. Nice unusual one thats why i got him stuffed. Missing the silver one still haunts me.... he should be on the mantle piece, well some day i might get another chance..

Sfinn

have you a picture?

Ruger.220swift

I have 2 at home will try get them up tommorrow. google cross fox in images and you will see one.

johngalway

Was told of a silver fox near where I live but I think it was a rise to get me shooting in a different spot by another lad :rolleyes:

J.R.

Black fox shot in U.K. by 'Shooting Times' reader.

Tackleberry.

WOW i;d have to say i'd be thinking twice before pulling tha trigger as i'd hate if it happened to be someone much love'd mut....but its a trophy ...must be rare Neo researcher ???

Sfinn

Alright who used the black polish!!!:D

johngalway

Sfinn wrote: »

Alright who used the black polish!!!:D

Was wondering that myself Especially when I saw Shooting Times mentioned

revan23

it looks exactly like my mates dog.. tail and all... now that i think of it, maybe its not a dog

maglite

sixpointfive wrote: »

What is a cross fox??

hes the one that snaps as you approach:p

Tackleberry.

maglite wrote: »

hes the one that snaps as you approach:p

hmm ...the wife snaps and she was a fine fox when i met her and still is (she reads these boards)but barks much easier now days .....red heads you either love them or hate them

Mellor

The Red Fox is most commonly a rusty red, with white underbelly, black ear tips and legs, and a bushy tail with a distinctive white tip. The "red" tone can vary from crimson to golden, and in fact can be brindled or agouti, with bands of red, brown, black and white on each individual hair when seen close up. In North America, the red fox's pelt has long, soft hair, whereas the fur of European red foxes is flatter and less silky.[5]

In the wild, two other colour phases are also seen. The first is silver or black, comprising 10% of the wild population and most of the farmed. Approximately 30% of wild individuals have additional black patterning, which usually manifests as a stripe across the shoulders and down the centre of the back. This pattern forms a "cross" over the shoulders, hence the term "cross fox".

I'd be very surprised is black and silver foxes were 10% of the wild population, certainly not in Ireland, could it be this high in the states?

chem

Wonder if there is any chance Mr. black fox might have somthing to do with the large cat sightings, seen up and down the UK and Ireland?

Any idea where he was shot?

cavan shooter

I shot a fox last year and when I went to get it I swore I had shot a german shepherd with a bushy tail. The clouring was all the same.

Can a fox breed with a domestic Dog

J.R.

Shooting Times & Country Magazine
18th December 2003
Letters to the Editor