Show Sports Afield BY TED RESTING The ability to recognize and read sign of the red fox is the most ef et effective method of about abou t the elusive animal and its ills exciting sport too Outdoor find sign sig n reading more challenging when the snow s gone Tracks may ma y appear on most any ground sur sur- surface surface surface face free of vegetation especially when the soil has been softened by byram byrain ram rain r or thaws thaw The oval shape and the unusually unusually unusually ally small toe pads are arc distinctive characteristics reflected in the track The mark of the heel pad does docs not project forward between the outermost toe prints as in the dog track and the furry nature of the foot may be seen on a good tracking surface The largest track of a tat I have found measured 28 inches long and 18 inches wide The track of a hind foot is always smaller and the Park ark of the heel pad is about half as wide as that of a fore fore- forefoot foot The track arrangements for or the different gaits arc similar to those of the domestic dog except in walking of trotting the tracks of the fox are arc in an almost straight line Naturalist Tom Scott suggests that when studying fox sign you ou learn to identify the sharp pene pene- penetrating oder of fox scent Their droppings are arc also good sign Ty Ty- Typical Typical Ty- Ty Typical droppings arc are usually in two to four segments but there maybe may maybe maybe be as many as nine Sign Sin may be seen where the fox bids down The bed may be found almost anywhere from a high ridge to the depths of a weedy swale often in a sunny exposure out of the wind The circular bedding is about 15 inches in dia meter Those who have preconceived dieas dicas as to the great of game taken by foxes will be disappointed disappointed disappointed pointed at finding so few kills on the trial So examine all prey carefully to become acquainted with characteristic feeding ceding mannerisms man man- mannerisms of the killer You will find fox dens almost anywhere an from knolls to temporary dry marshes and from old woodchuck dens to dry drain drain- drainage drainage age tile A single family may use five or more different dif erent dens during the denning period from March through June Except during breed breeding breeding breeding ing dens arc are only rarely used If you find pups try coaxing coaxin g them to the mouth of the den You Yoe can do it with a squeaking made by sucking with the th e lips pressed to the back of the th hand |