canine stress....Asa, WQ?

[trappnman]

Question: trapping coyotes now plus the occasional fox has me perplexed.  A short time ago I had a coyote expire after a few minutes in a catch pole. Today I had a dead grey fox in a set.  This set was checked at 9 am. temp was 55 degrees- 80% humidity but still cool at that time of day. I was shocked that this fox was dead. I have trapped fox in much hotter temps in the fall- and then they have their heavy coats. Are fox subject to this type of stress this time of year?  I concede that he might have been caught after I checked traps yesterfay morning- and this I cna understand. Guess I am wondering if this was a fluke or the norm on greys. I hate throwing a $100 dollar bill in the weeds. Any thoughts appreciated.  The set was out in the open- maybe 15 feet from heavy cover.

[Asa Lenon]

T-Man:  I can't speak for grey fox as they are so new in my area that I don't have extensive experience with them.  As for coyote and red fox, I would say your experiences are just a coincidence.  One always on occasion will come upon a coyote or fox dead in a trap without even a struggle.  Generally these are old snaggle-toothed ones that probably had heart failure and the numbers are equal in any season from hot August to sub-zero January.  Ace

[RdFx]

Tpmn ive had  fox once in a great while expire with minimal handling in cool weather and during mid summer when collecting canines for field trials.  It is only once in a great while as  i believe like Asa said you will have some percentage with the overall population.

[trappnman]

Thanks-   embarassing to have the "non trapping" tech there and me telling her  "This never happens to me- I can't understand it!"

Interesting though.

[RdFx]

Same thing happens everday all over the united states in our hospital but with humans.  We are all differant when it comes to handling situations and medicine and the statistics prove it.  This applies to the canine or animal world also.  Have you posted any new pictures yet on yr summer  study line?

[foxtail]

This may be off the wall, but is there any chance that someone "helped" you out?

[trappnman]

foxtail- no, it was in a secure site. the day before I got a woodchuck and eagles had eaten it real good. Besides the point I am sure.

Goodp oint rdfx about human mortality rates- I hear doctors mistakes kill more each year than autop accidents.

I'll post a few pictures tomorrow- I have to disconnect my scanner or normal maintence can't function- I know, I know- a micky mouse computer.

[Wackyquacker]

T-man I'd have to agree with others; S#$% happens.  I've had coyotes dead on drags only 10 yards from the set with no sign of a significant struggle.  I've also snared coyotes in non-entanglement situations with relaxing locks and had them die with little sign of a fight; even one caught around the waste.  When skinned they were just fine!  Greys same thing.  In discussions with John Graham on this very topic he reports very similar findings and attributes it to the individuals ability / inability to handle stress.  What really gets me scratching my head is when this occurs with a gnarly old male.  I would suppose that you could predict a higher level of this type loss in extreme weather conditions; though I don't know how a fellow might to lable extreme.  Also, the critters may have been "stressed" via underlying disease which may not be apparent without lab work or necropsy.

On a lighter note I'll be happy to ship you all the greys I catch if you can get $100 out of em...hehehehe

[Fatcatbuster]

I had a nice male red in a set once, he was dead but still warm. I looked the animal all over and couldnt figure why he wernt movin. When i skinned him out later i found the little 22 cal bullet hole.  My friend and fellow trapper decided to help me out a little  as a joke. I havent got even yet.. He let me tell that story a few times before he confessed..