We recently had a neighbor with a son with special needs in our neighborhood in Rancho Santa Fe who said he was worried about frequent gray foxes in his fenced backyard.

My neighbor had heard that a fox in the Kingman area had recently tested positive for rabies, so he wanted the animal removed for the safety of his family. , had a photo of an animal that looked like a gray fox.

Like most people at Kingman, he didn’t know who to call. My neighbor told me they contacted the Kingman City Animal Control Department and were told they couldn’t help. He said he needed to call the Arizona Game and Fish Division’s Region 3 office for assistance.

My neighbor went to the AZGFD local office with a trail camera picture of the animal. However, I was told that I could not help remove a fox that showed no signs of anomalous behavior.

After all, all wildlife is the property of the State of Arizona, and AZGFD is tasked with managing wildlife, so I thought it was a little strange that AZGFD did not respond to his call for help. .

I called. One is the City of Kingman Animal Control and Karen Klima, AZGFD’s 3rd Regional Supervisor. “Homeowners shouldn’t trap wildlife,” Clima says. , delicious landscaping, etc.).”

“If they’re adamant that they need to get rid of it, they can hire a wildlife services company to do it,” Clima said. , tips for living with wildlife, and a list of wildlife services available on our website or at our offices.”

Klima also advised to be directed to AZGFD’s Region 3 Law Enforcement Program Manager, Brandon Carley, for more information.

When I spoke with a woman from the Kingman City Animal Control Department, she said the city only responds to complaints about dogs, not cats. She said the city also does not handle complaints about nuisance wildlife, which is AZGFD’s responsibility.

Eventually, I met with Officer Curley at the Legion 3 office.

I asked Carly if the department rents boxtraps to property owners. A trap designed to capture but not harm wildlife on private property. “Not anymore,” he said.

Apparently, there are legal and safety issues with people who catch and release wildlife themselves.

Curley said the first thing landowners should do is remove what is bringing wildlife onto their land.

“Homeowners should never leave food or water unattended, and should not cordon off areas that may harbor wildlife,” Curley said. Please drive away.”

However, if the wildlife exhibits aggressive behavior or is sick or injured, call the Region 3 office at 928-692-7700 and have officers respond, Curley said. . They all respond to the roar of his lions and bears on the mountain.

A question I have been asked many times is, “Can I use lethal force on wildlife attacking my pet?”

Here is the answer by Carly. “Wildlife may only be captured or killed by persons with appropriate licenses from the Arizona Game and Fish Division or to protect yourself or others (ARS 17-301.01).”

Carly said: If you are concerned about your pet’s safety, you should take steps to prevent contact with wildlife. ”

wildlife services

“If a homeowner just wants to get rid of an animal, they can call wildlife services,” Curley said. Curley said in 2022 the area will receive 78 complaints from individuals with wildlife-related problems.

I’m just curious about what wildlife services are, and here’s what I found.

To legally capture and remove wildlife, even from private land, the sector works with private companies, who pay a fee to capture and remove harmful animals.

AZGFD’s website at www.azgfd.com/wildlife/control/ has a list of companies that respond to animal complaints in Mojave County.

I checked the listing and there is only one business in the Kingman area. That’s Pesty Pest Control (928-753-7111).

I spoke to owner Danny Asplin and he confirmed that his business is licensed by AZGFD and that he installs box traps for wildlife including skunks, foxes, bobcats, raccoons and even coyotes. But Asprin said coyotes are very, very difficult. Caught with a box trap.

“I mostly catch skunks,” Asprin said. However, he said other non-lethal wildlife can be captured and moved to specific areas where AZGFD hopes to release the wildlife.

There is a cost to the property owner who asks Wildlife Services to handle the removal. “It costs him $125 to $150 to set up,” Asplin says. “And I will charge you $100 for each animal I catch and move.”

To become a licensed wildlife services business, the business must be licensed by the department. According to AZGFD, the initial license fee is $245 per year and renewals are $95 per year.