Foxes in Minnesota: Types and Where They Live

Foxes are the most widespread species of wild dogs on the planet. These smart critters live all over the place, including in Minnesota. Even though they belong to the dog family, foxes act a lot like cats. They’re smart, sneaky, and have retractable claws. What else should you know about these creatures? Follow along as we discover everything you need to know about foxes in Minnesota.

What Types of Foxes Live in Minnesota?

Minnesota has two species of foxes, the red fox and the gray fox. You’re more likely to spot a red fox than a gray fox because the latter is more elusive and less common.

Are Foxes Dangerous?

In normal situations, foxes avoid people. But rabid foxes are another story. If a fox seems disoriented and it’s not afraid of people, it might have rabies. When you suspect a fox, or any animal, has rabies, play it smart. Stay far away, get to safety, and call animal control immediately.

Thankfully, rabid foxes are rare in Minnesota. Instead, you’re more likely to encounter a fox that has mange.

Mange in Red and Gray Foxes in Minnesota

Mange is a debilitating disease caused by small parasites, and it kills thousands of red foxes in Minnesota each year. The condition causes the foxes to have extreme skin irritation. At advanced stages, foxes chew off their tail to stop the itching.

Sometimes a fox with mange will behave similarly to a fox with rabies. They might lose their fear of people and move around in weird ways. If you suspect a fox has mange, call animal control immediately.

What Part of Minnesota Has Foxes?

Gray and red foxes live throughout the state of Minnesota. Gray foxes usually stick to their densely wooded habitats. In comparison, red foxes are more adaptable and likely to appear in neighborhoods.

Minnesota Human-Fox Property Conflict

Even if foxes don’t target people, they can still be a problem for property owners. Foxes can threaten small pets and livestock, and they’re notorious for digging up gardens. But that doesn’t mean a fox sighting has to be cause for alarm.

Oftentimes a fox passing through a yard is just getting from one hunting spot to another. They don’t want any trouble; they just want to find a meal. Fun fact, red foxes are one of the few predators that store food! After making a kill, they store the leftovers in the ground for the next day.

Minnesota Fox Removal Law

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources doesn’t shoot, trap, or relocate foxes. When removal is necessary, the responsibility falls on the tenant or landlord. For instance, in Minnesota, if a fox is causing damage to someone’s property, they have the right to remove it. If any of the foxes die during the removal, the death has to be reported to the state’s Fish and Wildlife Division.

Humane Ways to Handle Fox Dens

Sometimes red and gray foxes choose to make their den by someone’s house. Underneath a porch or deck can provide enough cover for a fox to call it home. The den provides shelter from cold weather and a home for raising kits.

Homeowners have a choice when dealing with fox dens. There’s always the option to let the den be. Let the kits fully mature, and they’ll vacate the den independently. It doesn’t take long for kits to leave the den. Breeding season takes place during the winter, the kits are born in early spring, and they usually leave the den at the end of summer.

If someone needs to remove a fox family, there are humane harassment options. You can place a radio a few feet away from the opening. Leave the radio on for a few days, and the noise will probably scare the foxes off.

What Is the Fox’s Legal Status?

Foxes are a furbearer species in Minnesota. You can only hunt them during the open season. Other small game in fur bears species in Minnesota include minks, muskrats, bobcats, eastern cottontails, and raccoons.

When hunting foxes in Minnesota, there isn’t any daily bag limit. However, there are shooting regulations. On opening day, shooting doesn’t begin until 9:00 a.m. After that, regular shooting hours begin half an hour before sunrise and continue until sunset.

If you’re not a Minnesota resident, you must have a non-resident furbearer license for bobcats and raccoons. But foxes are a free game! As long as you have a small game license, you can take as many foxes as you want. Finally, foxes can be run by dogs during the closed season.

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