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| | Information for Hunters |
This page provides specific information for hunters about how they can help the fox eradication effort.
Tasmania's fox hunting historyThe European red fox was deliberately introduced to Australia in the 1800s for recreational hunting, with the earliest records showing foxes being released in Victoria in 1845.By the 1880s it was recognised that fox populations had become established in the wild and impacts on stock and wildlife were being reported. Within 100 years, foxes had spread across most of Australia and their current distribution includes all but the tropical north and some off-shore islands. Tasmania has a long history of fox introductions that dates back to the mid-1800s. Similar to mainland Australia, foxes were originally imported and released into Tasmania to provide sport for recreational hunters. Hunters have an important role to play in the Tasmanian fox eradication effort and should remain alert for foxes and signs of their activity. Any opportunity to remove foxes that are encountered should be taken. Although shooting is not generally recognised on the Mainland as being effective in reducing fox numbers over large areas, in the Tasmanian context a single fox being shot could have a significant impact on fox establishment in this state. Further reading: Abbott, I (2011). The importation, release, establishment, spread, and early impact on prey animals of the red fox Vulpes vulpes in Victoria and adjoining parts of south-eastern Australia. Australian Zoologist, Volume 35 (3). How you can help Tasmania to be fox freeEveryone has a role to play in supporting fox eradication in Tasmania, especially hunters and shooters. Foxes are classified as vermin under the Vermin Control Act 2000 and may be hunted at any time on Crown Land, State Forest and on private land with the permission of the landowner.If you see something suspicious, discover a carcass or shoot a fox, please call the 24 hour hotline immediately: 1300 369 688 (an easy way to remember the hotline is 1300 FOX OUT) All calls are confidential and the information you provide may be vital to the eradication effort. If you have a camera, photograph the animal and/or the location of the incident, and include any identifying landmarks that might help locate the site. A GPS position is also very helpful. Identifying foxes
Visit the Identification of Foxes page for further information about identifying foxes and signs of fox activity. Foxes are a very wary animal and have a good capacity to learn. Unsuccessful shooting attempts, particularly when associated with spotlights, will result in animals quickly learning to avoid shooters. Only attempt to shoot a fox if you have a good chance of killing it. It is better to report a fox sighting than take a risky shot that produces a 'gun shy' animal. Did you know? A male fox was shot by a hunter in the Symmons Plains area in 2001? With the support of a vigilant hunting community, foxes don’t stand a chance in Tasmania! Watch for fox eyeshine at nightFox eyeshine is very bright with obvious separation of the eyes. Foxes have no characteristic eyeshine colour and it may vary from silver to golden yellow to red. However, eyeshine will always be very bright even when light is not directly on the animal. Fox eyeshine is often described as being like shining a light on a mirror.Foxes, being very wary animals, will usually be observed on the edge of light. Older foxes will generally only give you 2-3 looks before moving off and it is characteristic for the head to move sideways, rather than up and down (indicative of a cat). If using a spotlight, move spotlight quickly and do not focus directly on the fox to avoid spooking the animal. Fox whistles, which mimic the sound of a rabbit in distress, are an effective way to gain the attention of a fox and lure it within shooting range. If using a fox whistle in conjunction with a spotlight, use the spotlight only to confirm the location of the fox and to identify when it is within shooting range. The Fox Eradication Program maintains small supplies of fox whistles to provide to Tasmanian hunters. To request a fox whistle contact invasivespecies@dpipwe.tas.gov.au Importation of foxes and fox productsA total ban remains in force for the importation of live foxes into Tasmania. Foxes are classified as Restricted Animals under the Nature Conservation Act 2002.Restrictions also apply to the importation into Tasmania of unprocessed or untanned fox carcasses, fox parts and all fox products.
If you have any queries relating to the importation process or the issuing of the Special Authority by the Chief Veterinary Officer for the importation of any fox products, please contact Quarantine Tasmania. Game TracksGame Tracks is a publication of the Wildlife Management Branch (DPIPWE) and is provided free of charge to Tasmanian game licence holders and rural landowners to keep them informed of issues relating to wildlife management and control in Tasmania.Game Tracks also promotes and facilitates ethical, responsible and humane hunting and harvesting practices that are consistent with State and Federal wildlife management and conservation programs.
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 |  Tasmania Online | Service Tasmania This page - http://www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/MMAN-8LV623?open - was last published on 30 April 2013 by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. Questions concerning its content can be sent to Internet Coordinator by using the feedback form, by mail to GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001, or by telephone. Please read our disclaimer and copyright statements governing the information we provide on this site. A text version of this page is also available. | |
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