Fox den in Sikeston creates mixed feelings

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A fox den in the middle of Sikeston has created a mixed reaction among the city's residents.

While many find it fun to watch the two adults and six pups playing together, others living near the den located in a sandy field bordered by Salcedo, North Kingshighway and North Main streets don't find the family so cute and cuddly.

"We've been getting quite a few calls in reference to the foxes that have set up a den in a populated area, and a lot of people enjoy watching and seeing them, but being a neighbor to them is not a popular thing to be," said Leother Branch, Scott County conservation agent.

Branch said when it rains, the den can often create an unpleasant odor in the area.

At their request, Branch met with members of the Sikeston City Council during their special meeting Monday morning to discuss the foxes.

"The city and the council are concerned about the seemingly large population of foxes we have this year," said Linda Lowes, director of governmental services for the city.

Branch had two recommendations for the city. One is that citizens should stop feeding the foxes because they are not pets.

"The idea is to make the location the least comfortable as possible so the foxes will want to move," Branch said.

Branch's second recommendation was regarding trapping and relocating the skulk of foxes. His recommendation is to endure the time period for the pups to be weaned, which is typically about eight to 12 weeks.

"If you trap the mama, the cubs will be there on their own. Without the adults to provide food to the cubs, then they'd start getting into cat food and dog food at residences and create problems," Branch said.

The recent inquiries prompted Branch to speak with a wildlife damage biologist.

"Foxes generally like a more rural type setting and natural habitat," Branch said. "But there are coyotes and compete with them for the same territories. Usually, the coyotes dominate the foxes."

As a result, the mother fox, or vixen, will find a safe environment to give birth to her pups.

"With the absence of coyotes, the mom found the land adjacent to First United Methodist Church and set up their home until the cubs get ready to be on their own," Branch said of the den in Sikeston.

Then the foxes will fend for themselves and go out into their normal habitat, which includes farm fields, fence rows and open grasslands, Branch said.

"They like the sandy soil north of Sikeston and like to dig in the ground and move around. The male will usually go out and hunt for food and bring it back to the mom and pups," Branch said.

Terry McKinnie, coowner of McKinnie Bestway located adjacent to the fox den, said the foxes have created a mini tourist attraction for his grocery/convenience store.

"A lot of the customers love the foxes," McKinnie said. "Everybody stops and take their kids and grandkids to the see the foxes. They take pictures and just love it."

McKinnie said foxes have made dens at different places in Sikeston for the past two or three years.

Spring and summer are popular times for female animals to give birth, but the wildlife and humans don't mix, Branch said.

"If anybody were to find a young animal, they should leave it alone and let Mother Nature take care of it," the conservation agent advised.

Besides receiving calls about foxes, Branch said he's fielded phone calls about other animals like raccoons, skunks, birds, barn owls and possums making homes outside their natural habitats.

"Humans want to get involved in it because they want to help -- and we understand that, but the best solution is to leave them alone so they have the opportunity to be able to make it on their own without the assistance of the public," Branch said.

As far conservation regulations, land and home owners do have the right to protect their property in case of any nuisance or damage to their crops or buildings, Branch said.

He said: "They should just get permission from the Conservation Department first before taking action on their own."