State moves to ban Cascade fox trapping

OLYMPIA – The state Department of Fish and Wildlife is moving to protect Cascade red foxes from trapping statwide.

The agency announced that it will accept public comment through Aug. 9 on a new proposed ruling banning fox trapping.

Under the new rule, it would be illegal to trap Cascade red foxes in Mount Baker-Snoqualmie, Okanogan, Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot national forests this year and in future trapping seasons.

"Fox trapping was closed in these locations last season due to an emergency rule the Department filed in February," agency carnivore manager Stephanie Landry said. "If the current proposal is adopted, it would establish the same restrictions as a permanent rule."

The rule would cover all foxes located in those areas. However, it would not affect non-endangered, common red foxes found in Lincoln, Whitman, Ferry and other counties.

"The Cascade red fox is indistinguishable from other red foxes, except through genetic testing," the agency wildlife diversity manager Hannah Anderson said. "So, a trapping restriction for all foxes in the locations where these sub-species' territories overlap helps protect the endangered foxes from accidental take."

The Cascade red fox (Vulpes vulpes cascadensis) is a subspecies of red fox found only in Washington. It occupies subalpine and alpine habitats and was classified as endangered in Washington in 2023.

The public can submit comments via email at 2024trappingcr102@publicinput.com; by calling 855-925-2801, project code 7087; or by mailing written comments to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife ATTN: Wildlife Program, PO Box 43200, Olympia, WA 98504.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will also accept public comments on the proposed rule change at a public hearing to be scheduled during the August Commission meeting.