The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1954-02-12
Fox Hunting In The North Carolina Coastand;
Some Of The Traits Of North Carolina Foxes


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by the simple means of snatching
hen from the poultry roost, the
loost is likely to be visited with
considerable frequency. In such
cases it is necessary to destroy
foxes in order to protect prop
erty. Fortunately, relatively few
foxes acquire a taste for poultry
or the knowledge that barnyard
fowl are easily attainable. The
destruction of these few foxes
usually correct the situation
locally.
Management
The management of a species
which is subject to so much con-
troversy among sportsmen and
farmers resolves itself almost en-
tirely to a problem of public re-
lations. Somehow quail and rab-
bit hunters must be convinced
that in ordinary circumstances
the presence of an abundance
of foxes does not mean that
rabbits and quail are placed in
danger of extinction. At the same
time, fox hunters, who naturally
are interested in maintaining a
high fox population, must realize
that an over-abundance of foxes
might upset an already pre-
carious natural balance among
species whereby foxes might des-
troy their food supply and thus
destroy themselves. Farmers will
tolerate foxes only so long as
they do not prey on poultry, and
under the U. S. Constitution,
have a right to destroy maraud-
ing foxes at any time and in any
manner. But they should re-
member that a few erring indi-
viduals do not warrant condem-
nation of the entire species.
Biologists have learned that
there is never any justification
for the wholesale slaughter of
any species, regardless of how
undesirable the species may be-
come in isolated instances. Slow
ly but surely sportsmen through
out the country are coming to the
conclusion that money spent for
bounties and wholesale predator
control is sheer waste.
Where fox populations (par-
ticularly the red fox) are not suf-
ficient to supply the needs of fox
hunters, protective measures be-
come necessary, and importation
should at least be tolerated.
Where an over-abundance of
foxes occurs, control measures
should be instituted-but never
with complete humiliation as an
objective.
The crux of fox management
lies in determining the level at
which fox populations should be
maintained, and then getting di-
versified factions of public opin-
ion to cooperate.
Hunting and Trapping
The sport Of fox hunting is Sc
cond only to falconry in anti
guilty, having been practiced in
Europe for centuries. In general,
North Carolina fox hunting has
not reached the social pinnicle of
pink coats and purebred Hunter
mounts, but the number of fox
hunting organizations and fox
hunting sportsmen attests to the
popularity of the sport in this
State, particularly in the Pied
mont and Mountain sections.
There are varied manners and
codes of ethics in North Carolina
fox hunting, but for the most part
the enjoyment of the sport comes
from the fellowship of the
hunters and the pride they take
in the voice and stamina of their
dogs. The foxes are sometimes
killed by the dogs, but often as
not, the fox escapes to be put up
and run another day, and
hunter who shoots a fox is in
danger of permanent ostracism
from his society.
Anyone who has participated
in a fox hunt can we'll under
stand why fox hunters love their
sport, and why fox hunters are
interested in the perpetuation of
the species even to the point of
importing foxes to stock certain
areas.
Fox hunts usually begin with
the mutual consent of dog owners
who meet at an appointed stand