Foxes are not a threat to adult whitetails, but they’re still predators.
QUESTION:I was a hunting piece of property and had a doe run to me full speed. I could hear something coming behind her, so I got ready thinking it was a buck, but it was a red fox chasing her. I’m not quite sure he would’ve been able to take her down, but he was giving it a good effort. Is this normal behavior?
ANSWER: Given that a red fox is only slightly larger than a common house cat, I think you’re correct that it would be nigh onto impossible for one to take down a healthy adult deer. Even if the doe was sick or injured it would be a formidable task. However, foxes are predators, and chasing prey is instinctive.
Perhaps it jumped the deer and was simply reacting to fleeing prey. Foxes are also scavengers and often steal a meal from deer taken down by larger predators like coyotes. That might make the sight and scent of a deer attractive enough to follow.
— Recent Ask the Biologist Question: What’s for Yupper? Some food plot staples are safe bets regardless of your location. Find Out The Answer!