Foxes in Wisconsin and Northern Illinois
Understanding Risks, Signs, and Safe Removal
Our Ethical Approach to Wildlife
Respecting the quiet beauty of our wild neighbors
At Advanced Wildlife Management, we believe in protecting foxes while protecting your property. Our goal is to address conflicts without causing harm, using ethical, non-invasive methods that respect the animal’s role in the environment. We work to ensure foxes are safely deterred or relocated, never exterminated.
Understanding Foxes in Our Region
Elusive and curious visitors in backyards and fields
Foxes are increasingly seen in suburban neighborhoods, rural properties, and parks throughout Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. These intelligent and adaptive animals are usually nocturnal and avoid humans—but will den under sheds or decks and scavenge food if the opportunity arises.
Warning Signs of Fox Activity
When to suspect a fox may be nearby
- Tracks and scat near the edge of your property
- Fox sightings around dusk or dawn
- Disturbed trash, gardens, or small animal pens
- Noises (barking or screaming-like calls) at night
- Dug-out areas under structures or fencing
Habitats and Entry Points
Where foxes settle and what draws them in
- Beneath decks, sheds, or abandoned structures
- Brush piles and wood lines bordering open spaces
- Nearby food sources like chicken coops, compost bins, or unsecured garbage
- Quiet, sheltered areas near dense shrubbery or tall grass
The Dangers of Fox Presence
Typically shy—but still a potential concern
Pet Predation: Small animals like rabbits or poultry may be vulnerable
Disease Risk: Foxes can carry mange, rabies, or parasites that affect pets
Structural Damage: Digging may occur around sheds or garden beds
Aggressive Behavior: Rare, but can occur if cornered or protecting kits
Safe and Humane Fox Removal
Encouraging foxes to move on—without confrontation
We use non-lethal deterrents and light exclusion tactics:
- Inspection and identification of den or entry areas
- Use of scent or light deterrents to drive relocation
- Den exclusion (after verifying no kits are present)
- Sealing access points and modifying habitat
We comply with all local wildlife regulations and seasonal protections.
Repairs and Prevention Measures
Keeping foxes from settling in again
- Installing wildlife-proof skirting around sheds and decks
- Securing livestock pens, trash bins, and compost areas
- Filling or fencing off former den sites
- Ongoing consultation for property-wide deterrence strategies
