The Gray Fox is an ecologically beneficial native mammal that primarily eats rodents and so helps people in general and farmers in particular. In Delaware, the Gray Fox is uncommon to rare and no studies have been done to document it's population size. The Gray Fox was also designated the State Mammal after a campaign by the State of Delaware's school children.
Given the Gray's Fox's beneficial role in the balance of nature and it's relative scarcity and unknown population size, we believe the Gray Fox should be fully protected from hunting and trapping in Delaware. There is already a provision allowing nuisance animals, which attack domestic livestock, to be killed. Otherwise, there is no justification for a regular or "recreational" hunting and trapping season for this uncommon and beneficial native mammal.
Delaware House Bill 25, which will open up a hunting and trapping season on the Gray Fox, must be opposed !
