Grey Fox
The only fox that climbs trees
The grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is one of North America's oldest canid species, dating back 3.6 million years. Unique among foxes for its tree-climbing ability, this elusive predator offers a distinct hunting challenge.
Tree Climbers
The only North American canid that climbs trees. Semi-retractable claws and rotating forearms allow them to ascend and escape coyotes. May den 30+ feet above ground.
High-Pitched Calls
Grey fox respond best to high-pitched prey sounds—bird distress, mouse squeaks, and grey fox distress. Think small prey, not rabbit bawls like for coyotes.
Thick Cover Hunters
Unlike red fox that prefer open terrain, grey fox favor dense brush, mature hardwoods, and thick cover—more similar to bobcat habitat than typical fox territory.
Overview
Understanding the tree-climbing fox
Species Profile
- Scientific Name:Urocyon cinereoargenteus
- Weight Range:6-15 lbs
- Total Length:32-47 inches
- Height:Up to 16 inches
- Lifespan:6-8 years (wild)
- Species Age:3.6+ million years
Physical Characteristics
- • Salt-and-pepper grey coat with black guard hairs
- • Black stripe down top of tail
- • Black markings on head, nose, muzzle
- • Reddish coloring on neck, flanks, legs
- • Semi-retractable front claws for climbing
- • Greater forearm rotation than red fox
Distribution
- • Southern Canada to northern Venezuela
- • Throughout most of United States
- • Absent from Pacific Northwest mountains
- • Common along Pacific Coast
- • Expanding into north-central regions
- • Strong populations in Southeast, Southwest
Tree-Climbing Ability
- • Only tree-climbing canid in North America
- • Grasps trunk with front claws, pushes with hind
- • Can descend head-first like a cat
- • Jumps branch to branch to escape
- • May den 30+ feet above ground
- • Uses trees to escape coyotes
Habitat Preferences
- • Dense brush and thick cover
- • Mature hardwood forests
- • Woodlots and forest edges
- • Brushy draws and creek bottoms
- • More bobcat-like habitat than red fox
- • Avoids open terrain preferred by red fox
Diet & Prey
- • Cottontail rabbits (primary prey)
- • Mice, voles, small rodents
- • Birds (especially ground nesters)
- • Insects and invertebrates
- • Fruits and berries (omnivorous)
- • Occasional small reptiles
Seasons & Regulations
State-specific hunting information
Typical Season Structure
- Classification:Furbearer
- Season:Fall through winter
- Prime Time:Nov - Feb
- Breeding:Feb - March
- Gestation:53 days
- Litter Size:3-7 pups
Texas
- Season:Year-round
- Bag Limit:No limit
- License:Hunting license
- Night Hunting:Permitted
- E-Calls:Allowed
- Status:Abundant
California
- Season:Year-round
- Bag Limit:No limit
- License:Hunting license
- E-Calls:PROHIBITED
- Note:Mouth calls only
- Status:Plentiful
Colorado
- Season:Nov 1 - Feb 28
- Bag Limit:Unlimited
- License:Furbearer
- E-Calls:Allowed
- Note:Grouped with red fox
- Status:Common
Midwest (MN, WI, MI)
- Season:Fall - Winter
- License:Furbearer/Trapping
- Status:Common to abundant
- Trend:Expanding range
- Competition:Coyotes displacing
- Note:Check state specifics
Southeast (AL, GA, SC)
- Season:Varies by state
- Populations:Strong
- Habitat:Excellent
- License:Hunting/Furbearer
- Night Hunting:Often allowed
- Note:Prime grey fox country
Grey Fox vs Red Fox Regulations
- • Grey fox pelts are typically less valuable than red fox pelts
- • Some states group grey and red fox under same regulations
- • Electronic call restrictions vary—California prohibits for grey fox
- • Grey fox are generally more abundant but less commonly targeted
- • Always verify current regulations with your state wildlife agency
Hunting Techniques
Proven methods for calling grey fox
Three-Instinct Method
- • 1. Hunger/Curiosity: Start with prey distress
- • 2. Territorial: Switch to grey fox distress
- • 3. Paternal: Try canine pup distress
- • Target curiosity throughout sequence
- • Each instinct "pushes them over the edge"
- • Most respond between 5-8 minute mark
Best Call Sounds
- • Bird distress (jay, woodpecker, tweety)
- • High-pitched rodent squeaks
- • Grey fox distress calls
- • Cottontail distress (less effective daytime)
- • Pheasant distress
- • Think SMALL prey—not moose calf!
Setup Selection
- • Dense, bobcat-like habitat
- • Near mature hardwood timber
- • Brushy draws and woodlot edges
- • Avoid open terrain (that's red fox country)
- • Set up closer—shorter shooting distances
- • Creek bottoms and riparian areas
Decoy Strategy
- • Movement is critical for grey fox
- • When fox responds, mute caller
- • Let decoy bring them the rest of the way
- • Small, twitchy motion decoys work best
- • Remote-controlled for timing control
- • Decoy can seal the deal when calling won't
Best Timing
- • Dusk to dawn most productive
- • Daytime calling more difficult
- • Night hunting where legal is effective
- • Early morning often overlooked
- • Overcast days extend activity
- • Breeding season (Feb-Mar) increases response
Calling Multiples
- • After taking one, KEEP CALLING
- • Very common to call another from same spot
- • Grey fox often travel in pairs
- • Family groups in late summer/fall
- • Don't leave productive spots too quickly
- • Second fox may respond within minutes
Equipment
Essential gear for grey fox hunting
Firearms
- • Rifle: .22 LR, .22 Mag, .17 HMR
- • Centerfire: .223, .22-250 (fur-friendly)
- • Shotgun: 20 gauge ideal for close cover
- • Dual carry: rifle on sticks, shotgun in lap
- • Variable scope 3-9x for versatility
- • Shots typically under 100 yards
Calls
- • E-Calls: FOXPRO, ICOtec (where legal)
- • Hand Calls: Psyco Tweety, bird distress
- • Kettle Creek "Griz N Grey" distress
- • Burnham Bros. Yellowhammer Woodpecker
- • High-pitched cottontail for mouth calls
- • California: Mouth calls ONLY
Motion Decoys
- • Remote-controlled essential
- • Small, twitchy action preferred
- • MOJO-style spinners
- • Feather/fur attractors
- • Place near caller
- • Run when calling, pause when fox appears
Optics
- • Compact binoculars (8x32 or 10x32)
- • Lower magnification for dense cover
- • Red/green lights for night hunting
- • Thermal where legal
- • Illuminated reticle for low light
- • Wide field of view important
Concealment
- • Full camo essential
- • Face mask and gloves
- • Woodland patterns for hardwoods
- • Break up outline against trees
- • Portable ground blind helpful
- • Minimize movement
Support Gear
- • Shooting sticks for rifle
- • Comfortable seat pad
- • Extra batteries for calls
- • GPS for marking locations
- • Game bag for pelt care
- • Sharp skinning knife
Preparation
Pre-hunt planning for success
Scouting
- • Look for grey fox scat and tracks
- • Focus on hardwood timber areas
- • Check brushy creek bottoms
- • Trail cameras reveal patterns
- • Note where you see cottontails
- • Mark potential setup locations
Identifying Grey Fox Country
- • Dense brush and timber (not open fields)
- • Mature hardwood forests
- • Woodlots with good understory
- • Edge habitat near cover
- • Areas avoided by coyotes
- • More "bobcat-like" than red fox habitat
Licensing
- • Check furbearer requirements
- • Some states: basic hunting license
- • Verify electronic call legality
- • Night hunting permissions
- • Light restrictions vary by state
- • Fur dealer license if selling
Call Practice
- • Master high-pitched hand calls
- • Practice bird distress sounds
- • Learn grey fox distress sequences
- • Test e-call volumes and sounds
- • Build sound library before season
- • California hunters: mouth call proficiency essential
Physical Preparation
- • Shorter sets than bobcat (15-20 min)
- • Quick, accurate shooting from seated
- • Practice snap shots for close encounters
- • Quiet movement through brush
- • Minimal gear for mobility
- • Dress for extended sits
Equipment Check
- • Test all calls before season
- • Fresh batteries everywhere
- • Zero firearms at hunting distances
- • Verify decoy operation
- • Pack organized for quick deployment
- • Backup calls in case of failure
Pro Tips
Expert advice for consistent success
Think Small Prey
Grey fox are small predators, so use sounds of small prey. Mouse squeaks, bird distress, and high-pitched calls work better than loud rabbit bawls. "This is no time for the bawls of a moose calf that has lost its mother. Think small and weak."
The Psyco Tweety Call
Experienced grey fox hunters swear by the "Psyco Tweety" hand call. "I have never had a coyote respond to it, but the foxes, especially the greys, come running." This bird distress sound is irresistible to grey fox.
Mute & Let Decoy Work
When a grey fox responds and starts approaching, mute the caller and let the decoy do its job bringing them the rest of the way in. The visual attraction of movement often seals the deal when calling alone won't.
Call Another After Taking One
"Once you find an area with them and call one in, keep calling—real common to call another." Grey fox frequently travel in pairs. Don't leave a productive spot too quickly; a second fox often responds within minutes.
Daytime Calling Challenge
"Most of the time during the day... a gray fox will not come to the call during the time the cottontail distress is playing." They hear it but hesitate. Use bird distress and grey fox distress to "push them over the edge."
Only Call Where There Are Fox
"Only call predators where there are predators." A hunter wastes time calling on properties with no fox. Scout first, find the sign, then set up. The best calling technique means nothing if you're calling to empty woods.
The Grey Fox Advantage
Grey fox thrive in habitat that coyotes struggle with. Their ability to climb trees and preference for dense cover gives them protection from coyote predation that red fox lack. When coyote populations boom and suppress red fox, grey fox often hold their own in thick timber. This makes them a reliable target for predator hunters—and their tree-climbing escape behavior makes them one of the most interesting canids to hunt.
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