fox pens

A plan to phase out fox pens in the Commonwealth over a forty-year period was endorsed by the Agricultural Committee of the Virginia House of Delegates yesterday. The Richmond Times-Dispatch characterized the 18-3 vote as significant, since the House has traditionally been more reluctant than the Senate to interfere with foxhound training pens. Under the approved plan, fox pens would be allowed to continue to operate for the next forty years, but no new pens would be allowed to open. Foxhound training pens are used by many hunts around the country as a part of their puppy training program. The pens are also used by individuals who simply enjoy running their hounds. Foxes are provided with refuges within the pen to allow them to escape hounds when pressed. There are rules that limit the number of hounds that may be in a pen at any one time. In addition to the use of fox pens for training, pens have also been used for foxhound field trials. Last year the Virginia Senate banned competition in fox pens. The state of Florida has already banned the operation of fox pens. Posted February 27, 2014

Tighter regulations governing wildlife training preserves, also known as fox pens, were approved by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Animal welfare groups urged that such facilities be closed, but sportsmen working with wildlife officials agreed on new rules to improve the safety of penned foxes. Among the new regulations: one hundred acres minimum for a preserve; no training for one week after restocking; a limit of one hound per ten acres from eight to fourteen days after restocking; a limit of one hound per acre after that; one man-made dog-proof escape structure for every twenty acres; all fence corners to be rounded to prevent a fox from being trapped in a corner by hounds; all hounds to be vaccinated for rabies; no monetary prizes during special events. The changes will affect the less than forty foxhound training preserves that operate in Virginia. Posted June 14, 2013

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has banned the use of enclosures in the hunting of fox or coyote with hounds. The decision, made at a commission meeting on Wednesday, September 1, made permanent the temporary ban instituted in February. The ban is the result of complaints concerning at least one pen owner’s non-compliance with requirements and game laws. Hounds may still be used to chase foxes and coyotes in the open. One such venue is Eglin Air Force Base, where a fox and coyote season for chasing runs from May 15 to August 31. Foxhound training pens are used by many hunts around the country as a part of their puppy training program. The pens are also used by individuals who simply enjoy running their hounds. Foxes (or coyotes) are provided with refuges within the pen to allow them to escape hounds when pressed. There are rules that limit the number of hounds that may be in a pen at any one time. The Florida Commissioners considered possible new rules but decided they would be unenforceable. Jeff Barker’s article in the Panama City News Herald has more.September 12, 2010

June 24, 2010The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission on Wednesday decided to close all fox pens in that state. Legal text for the ban is expected to be drafted in September, with the actual closures not occurring until next year. The Humane Society of the United States along with other animal rights organizations argued that hunting in fox pens was akin to dog fighting. Hunters felt that their position was not fairly heard. Read Julie Watkins’ report in Jacksonville’s Action News for more details.